The New York herald., 1921-02-23
WILLIAM F. M'COMBS
DIES IN SANITARIUM
Manager Of Wilson's First
Campaign. but Afterward
ClaShed With President.

william W. McComhs formerly chair
man q the Democratic National Com
nitfcs ard the man VINO directed the
wnsou campo lsn in 1919. died yesterday
morninw m Bythewood San!tarium.
Greenwich. Conn His dea "a followed
IN iinena az many months Tie was
stricken Immediately SITTER ire close Of
tle Democratic National Convention In
san Francisco last summer and had been
under the care ~ physicians almost con-
fiuuously since that time. lie was forty
Eve years old.
with Mr.. McComhs when he died were
hir two sisters. Mrs. Ethef Thomas and
Mrs. corinne Harry. The third sister.
Mrs Randolph S.lverman. vas not pres
ent In addition % his sisters. Mr.. Nc
Combs leaves two arothcrs, Robert and
Ashton McCotnDa % Hamburg. Ark.
The body Was brought 20 this city yes
teTday afternoon and taken 20 the Fu-
neral Church 20 await shipment to Little
Rock Ark. Funeral services will be held
az the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
az II o'clock tomorrow morning and
later the same day the body VIII be
gent south. Arrangements for the fu-
neral are IN charge of william ". Ed
wards. Collector OF Internal Revenue.
The public career OF William Frank
McCombs. concentrated in the decade
prior to his death. Is linked with peculiar
significance IN political history 20 the
life OF President Woodrow Wilson.
Thirty-slx years old and destined 20
he the youngest chairman OF the ma
tional committee Of a political party. Mr..
McCombs saw In college acquaintance
OF seventeen years standing. Gov. VII
son OF New Jersey. the embodiment OF
his ideal executive for the White House.
The vision so dominated him that he re-
linquished the practice OF law and
quietly began 20 inform the public OF the
qualifications and achievements OF his
friend. From a limited circle OF univer-
sity and professional men the organiZa-
tion started by his letters and pamphlets
grew to such power and he himself
displayed such political sagacity that
his candidate won the nomination at the
memorable Baltimore convention. In
less than a year Wilson was in the
White House.
I.arty success did not bring per-
sonal success. however. and there were
numerous whisperings and mutterin gs
that political considerations were wreck
ing the Princeton friendship. The Am
bassadorship to France was offered to
Mr.. McCombs soon after the inaugura-
ton OF President Wilson. He did not
accept the post.
During the latter part Of Wilson's
first term. the breach between the two
widened and Mr.. McCombs relinquished
his position as chairman OF the National
Committee to resume the practice Of
law.
He reentered State politics two years
later as Democratic candidate to sue
ceed United States Senator James A.
O'Gorman. He was defeated 10y the
present holder OF that Office. Senator
William NJ. Calder.
Mr.. McCombs was born in Hamburg.
Ashley county, Ark, December 26, 1875,
the son OF William f. and Mary Frances
McCombs. His father was originally
from Kentucky. his mother from Ala
bama. Both were OF Scotch and Welsh
descent. After preparing for college at
Webb School in Tennessee he entered
Princeton University and was graduated
| In 1898. He went TO Harvard Law
School for his degree in law which he
got In three years Throughout his
career he practised in New York city
hrst associated with Gilbert T.. Roe. and
at the time of his death he was n partner
OF Frederick r. Ryan. with offices at 15
Wall street.
He was for four years secretary OF
/ the Princeton Club Of New York and
Southern Society His other clubs were
the Metropolitan. University. Bankers
Andiron. Manhattan, Lawyers. Harvard
National Democratic. Oakland, Sleepy
Hollow, Metropolitan and University OF
! Washington and Nassau OF Princeton.
| He also was trustee Of Lincoln Memorial
! University and member Of the American
State and City bar associations.
He married Miss Dorothy Williams OF
/ Washington. ID. c., in London in No
vember. 1913. The match terminated In
divorce nearly four years ago.
! WASHINGTON. Feb. 23.-Presldent VIII
son telegraphed tonight 70 William +,
McCombs, Sr., father OF william +. Nc
4 Combs. condolences on the death OF his
son. The telegram read:
"I have heard with great distress OF
the death OF your distinguished son and
beg to extend my deepest sympathy 20
you and members Of his family"