Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-17
HARDING TO CONFER
WITH PROGRESS|vES
Invitations Are to Be Sent Out
to Prominent Leaders Asking
Them to Meet the Republican
Nominee

Washington, June Is. (By the As
sociated Press) s).-Plans for bringing
Senator Harding, the Republican presi-
dcntlal nominee into closer touch with
the party leaders, particularly those
of the progressive wing, were dis
cussed to-day at a lengthy conference
which the senator had with Walter
f. Brown of Toledo, his floor manager
at the Chicago convention.
The conference is understood to have
resulted in a decision to send invita-
tions At onco to a number of prominent
proEressives asking them to meet
with the Republican nominee to dis
cuss tho present situation and the
coming campaign. The list of those to
be invited will not be made public at
present
Friends Of Senator Harding said to-
nigh. that the proposed conferences
would be held before the nominees formal
nothca zion which will he some time
after July is. Tae senator, it was said.
hopes to utilize the views expressed by
the party leaders in the preparation Of
his speech of acceptance. While some o.
the meetings may be held before Mr..
Harding leaves Washington Monday, the
greater portion are expected to take place
while he is OH his planned vacation
The visit of Mr. Brown to-day was re-
garded by political observers here as
significant. In 1912 nc was chairman of
the Ohio State progressive committee and
was active in the campaign for Theodore
Roosevelt He was delegate to the re-
cent Chicago convention and after the
defeat in the State primary of Harry NJ.
Daugherty of Columbus, the senator s
campaign manager as "A delegate-at-large,
was selected as Mr.. Harding's floor man
ager.
II think you will find that the progress
sives will be behind Senator Harding
Mr.. Brown said as ne left the senator's s
office.
Indication that Mr.. Harding, however
intends to ascertain the views OF all lead
ers in the party was contained in his an
nouncement TO day of a conference last
night attended by Senator Lodge, Rc-
publican leader in the Senate, Branucsee
of Connecticut Fall of New Mexica, and
Smoot of Utah. This meeting at which
the platform adopted in Chicago was dis
cussed. is expected to be the forcrunner
of many similar informal meetings.
Senator Harding also gave considerable
attention to-day to Ohio political matters
comforting in addition to Mr.. Brown with
w. L. Par7nenter of Lima. Ohio, former
state chairman. The candidate made
| nuhlic a letter to the secretary of State
smith of Ohio, withdrawing his petition
for denomination as the Republican cam
didate for senator at the August state
primaries. The petition was filed on the
eve of Mr.. Harding's nomination for the
presidency.
Shortly before the senator left his
office for the day, General Pershins
called and remained in conference
4 inn tnS
"It was merely a social call" said
| the general as he departed. THE sena
tor is very good friend Of mine
| The dclugc Of conCratulatory tele-
grams and letters which began coin
| cident with the nomination, continued
| to-day. Although the nominee arrived
| at his office early and remained late
| additional help had to be obtained 10
clear away the great mass of corre-
spondcnce.
| Among the kilograms received dur
ing the day was one from Thomas
Taggart the Indiana democratic lead
or and candidate for senator.
"I desire TO take this opportunity to
congratulate you upon your nomina'
ton" said Mr. Haggart 1T was GER
tsinlv a great victory for YOU I re-
member with much pleasure your
| many kindnesses while in the Senate
and have said repeatedly that IT we
had 10 have Republican president
that you would lc my first choirA-"
4 letter Of c,ongratu,ation from ReAl
Admiral William $. SINS also was rs-
| reived.