The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-02-05
NATIONAL COMMITTEES OF The
ZIG PARTIES, WILL SELECT
THEM IN DECEMBER.
CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS LEAD
Many Others VIII Submit Their
cIaIms-cstherinos TO Nominate
Next President Probably VIII Be
Early In June.
BY JAMES p. HoRNAoAY.


first actual stey-by either Of the old
party committees will be TO select n
convention city. Each committee will
do this Mt a meeting which will be
held here about the middle Of De
cember, Having decided where the
convention will be held. as well ms
the convention date. each committee
will issue the formal call for the con
vention. Custom dictates that the
party that Is not represented by the
occupant Of the white House shall
hold les convention first. and unless
this custom shall be disregarded the
Republicans will meet ut least one
week, and probably two weeks. In ad.
vance OF the Democrats.
In 1916 the conventions were held
about two weeks earlier than ever be
fore, the Republicans meeting on June
y dt Chicago and the Democrats on
June II NJ So Louis. and the represent
atlves ~ the parties seem to like the
Idea Of getting the nominations out
Of the way early In June. So Il IS gen.
orally assumed members Of the ma
tional committees say. that the con
ventions next year will be over by the
middle Of June, or soon thereafter
Many cities already have let II he
known that they would like TO enter.
tain one or both Of the old party
conventions. Chicago and st. Louis
have come 10 be known as favorite
political convention cities. and the pol.
iticians express the view that II Is nj.
together likely that one OF these cit.
les and possibly both OF them will be
favored next year.
Among the cities from which the
party chairmen have received invita-.
lions which they viii submit to the
December meetings are Cleveland. In.
dianapolls. Minneapolis. Kansas City
and Denver. Al least two Pacific
coast cities, Los Angeles and Port
land. have Indicated that they VIII In
due time let II be known that they
also will extend invitations.
Chosen City Must Pay the Bill.
The city that takes care of ma
tional political convention must obli.
gate itself 10 pay the bills OF the con
vention. This rule has been followed
for good while This does not mean
that the city becomes responsible for
the hotel bills or other expenses OF
the delegates. but IL does mean that |,
must provide the hall free Of cost and
take care Of the legitimate expenses
OF the national committee. The sltua.
tion Is usually met by the city turn
ing over to the national committee a
cash sum sufficient to cover the lie.
Ultimate convention expenses.
Next years conventions will contain
the same number OF delegates that sal
In the conventions In 1916. The mum
Der Of delegates from each state Is
based on the number of senator's and
representatives the state has in con
gress, and although a new census will
be taken In January next year, the re
apportionment for congressional pur.
poses will not be made in time 10 az
feet the political conventions.
Reducing Army to Peace Basis.
The army of the United States
has been reduced TO almost II.
normal strength. II now number.
about 10000 men and $4,000 Off
GERS. The high water mark of the wal
was reached November IL. last year
the day that the armlstice was signed
when the payroll OF the army contain
ell the names of 3.670.SS men. A bill
signed by the president the other day
provides that there shalr not be more
than $1,000 commissioned officers from
October 3. 1919. until June 80. 1920
This means that 10000 officers must
be let out. The legislation which the
president has just approved also au,
thorizes the secretary of war to re
tain such officers as may be necessary
in grades above their present rank.
Difficult as the process Of building
up the army has been, the tearing
down and shaping into. a peace time
organization IL more difficult mat
ter. The difficulties Of adjustment have
been increased by the uncertainties as
to the future military policy OF the
government. the inadequacy of pay ir
the face OF the high cost OF living and
the failure OF all classes TO realize
that economies must be promptly met
In peace there cannot be permitted
the latitude In the use of officers that
Is necessary In war and the rank and
promotion OF officers must be governed
by consideration OF length OF service.
experience, and general value TO the
military establishment as well as OF
accomplishments during the war.
Ten Thousand Must Go.
In anticipation of the passage of
the bill providing for 1900 Officers.
the war department allotted this mum
Der Of officers 10 various commands
and military activities OF the army ai
home and abroad. The total number
OF officers that may be retained by an,
command or activity for the time be
ing was fixed and the commanding Off
GERS OF these organizations were direc
ted to select. from the officers under
their command. sufficient number Of