New-York tribune., 1920-01-05
Time and Place for Con-
: vention To Be Fixed
and Candidates and Poll
cies Will Be Discussed
Conferences All Week
Bryan's Probable Course
and Presidents Stand
Are Main Topics Now

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The ma
tlonal capital is to be the rallyinp
ground during the coming week for
| national leaders of the Democratic
party. who will choose the time and
place for the 1920 national convention,
talk over candidates and policies and
renew acqualntances at a Jackson Day
love feast which many of them believe
Will make party history of one kind
or another
Although only one day, Thursday,
is set aside for the formal business
OF the week, leaders of various magni-
tude already were arriving tonight
prepared for week of conferences
and gossiping over the outlook for the
Presidential campaign.
Choice of the convention city and
time is to be the only business di-
mittee at its meeting Thursday, but
an effort probably will be made to
have it recommend that the conven-
ton nominate President and Vice
President by majority vote in place
OF the two-thirds required in past
years.
Wilson May State Course
At the banquet that night several
aspirants for the Presidential nomina-
ton are to outline their policies, Two
former nominees, William Jennings
Bryan and Alton B. Parker, also are
to be present, and President Wilson
IS expected to send message, in
which many leaders believe he will
state his position toward third term,
Six cities are in the race for the
convention, and talk among those mem
bers of the committee who had arrived
tonight indicated that there would be
no walkaway. The six are Chicago.
already selected as the convention citv
of the Republicans; Kansas City. San
Francisco, indianapolis, Cincinnati and
Cleveland. Discussion generally CEN
ters on late June or early July as the
time of meeting.
Talk Of changing the time -honored
Democratic custom of requiring a two
thirds vote to nominate started some
weeks ago at meeting of the national
committee in Atlantic City, and the
movement has been actively promoted
III many quarters. Should the com
mittee make such a recommendation
1T generally is conceded that the con-
vention would adopt it. Only ma
jority IS required to nominate by Re-
publican conventions, and those ad-
vocating the change believe that much
unnecessary convention work and
worry could be eliminated if the Dem
ocrats made like provision.
Speakers Not Announced
The names of speakers for the Thurs
day night banquet had not been made
public tonight, but it was understood
that several of those mentioned for
the Presidency would deliver addresses.
Mr.. Bryan, returning to the party coun-
ellis for the first time in many months.
is expected to be on the speakers list,
which will include about dozen names.
Two subjects earnestly discussed
among the gathering leaders tonight
were the part Mr. Bryan would play
in The campaign and the attitude OF
President Wilson toward the Presi-
Dental nomination.
After his long period of quiet, Mr..
Bryan apparently has made extensive
plans to get into the political swim
again, but whether he will be cand-
date for the nomination or will attempt
10 become the controlling factor in the
convention has not been clearly dem
onstrated. His activities during the
week, therefore, are awaited in many
. quarters with considerable curiosity.
Speculation about the course OF Pres
fident Wilson has raised the questions
whether he intends TO seek renomina-
tlon and whether, if he steps aside. he
VIII actively support some one of the
aspirants. NO authoritative reply to
these queries has come from the White
House, nor has it been indicated def
! nltely whether he would touch on these
! subjects IN mis- Jackson Day message,
as many leaders expected him to do.