The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-26
BIG FIGHT STARTS
National Democratic Committee
Opens Contest Hearings.
Missouri and Georgia Cases
Furnish Big Issues.
DECIDE ADMINISTRATION STAND
Amidon, of Kansas, Against
Making Hearings Open.
Portland Man, First Loser, viii
Appeal His Case.

San Francisco, June 26.-The first
open fight between administration and
anti-administration forces was sched-
uled for today when the Democratic
national committee took up the con-
tests for all of the twenty-eight seats
from Georgia and one contest from
the Fifth congressional district of
Missouri.
Senator James Reed, bitter oppo-
nent OF President Wilson. claims one
of the seats from his home district in
Kansas City. which was declared va
cant thru action of the Missouri state
convention.
The fatcion headed by Senator Hoke
Smith and former Congressnan Wat
son disputes the right of delegates
elected under the leadership of Attor-
ney General A. Mitchell Palmer, run
ming on pro-administratIon platform,
to represent Georgia in the national
convention.
Thus in passing upon these cases to
determine the temporary roll of the
convention, the national committee
will referee the first OF these clashes
which are expected to reveal whether
the Wilson administration or its oppo-
nents will rule the big meeting.
Georgia Case First
The Georgia case was expected to be
called first. The contestees were
elected at state primary April 20
and their legal status certified to by
| the state executive committee. The
contestants were elected at state con-
vention in Atlanta, May Is. Heading
| the Palmer faction as delegates al
! large are P. A. Stovail, former minister
to Switzerland. and c. E. Dunbar, Au-
gusta. Occupying the same relative
positions in the Smith Watson group
are Senator Thomas Hardwick and c.
| S. Barrett, president of the national
board of farm organizations.
| Reed. who will be represented by
Francis Wilson, district attorney OF
Kansas City, was elected with Joseph
B. Shannon delegates to the national
convention at their district convention
The state convention refused to ratify
Reeds election and decreed that his
alternate, James T. Bradshaw, also 9
Reed man." should occupy the seat
Subsequently the persons who attend
ed the district caucus that elected
Reed held another meeting and re
elected him. The national committed
refused to accord this action any lega'
party status and Reed was forced te
make a formal contest for the seat.
First Loser to Appeal.
John L. Schuyleman, Portland, Ore
who lost their first contest taken VI
! by the committee, today said he woulc
4 appeal to the credentials body.
A difference of opinion arose yes
| terday over whether contests shoulc
be conducted secretly or in the open
| The committee voted for open SEES
sions. The debate in favor of -oper
meetings was led by Senator Hard
wick, E. H. Moore, manager of the
Palmer campaign, apd Norman Mack
New York committeeman. The prin
cipal opponents were ]. Bruce Kre
mer, vice chairman of the committee
and Samuel B. Amidon, Kansas.
The committee adopted a resolution
asking the national convention to en-
act party legislation that will recon
! struct the national committee so tina
a man and woman member will b'
elected from each state and territory
The women members for the next foul
years would be elected by their STATE
deleQationS