New-York tribune., 1921-02-10
Petitioners Would
Let WhiteMIold
On for a While
WoolIey Statement Indicates
They Seek Control by
Means of New Campaign
or Steering Committee


WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The insur-
gent forces now demanding q meeting
of the Democratic National Committee
for the election of a new chairman in
place of George White came little
further in the open tonight in state
ment by Robert w. Woolley who ac-
knowledged himself as their spokes-
man.
They will be satisfied apparently to
permit Mr.. White to hold the chair
manship for while if he wants to,
but they insist anyhow that cam
paign or steering committee" should
be named at the proposed meeting of
the national committee, which could
actively take charge of the work of
organizing.
Mr.. White can stay on if he wishes
for a while-but the planning and au-
thority will be taken out of his hands.
The drive very apparently was
brought to a head by the announce
ment OF the appointment of the White
Cox dominated executive committee
is to prevent contro. of the party organ
ization being retained through that
executive committee.
AS Mr.. White plainly showed in his
statement in New York this morning
he has no intention of resigning, but
has put up to this very executive com
mittee which is SO Objectionable to the
insurgents the whole question Of
whether he shall resign or not.
Mr.. Woolley, who resigned as Inter
state Commerce Commissioner on Janu
ary and who was a vigorous worker
for McAdoo at the San Francisco con
vention, was director OF publicity dur
ing the 1915 Democratic campaign ant
j L
1912 campaign he was made Directo,
of the Mint, which place he occupied
until the 1916 campaign opened. Afte!
that campaign he was appointed Inter
state Commerce Commissioner.
81 drafted the petition after having
personally interviewed many of the
singers following my retirement from
official life on January l, and ther
sending q telegram signed by Thomas
B. Love, with his full authority" sale
Mr.. Woolley.
"Mr. Love and I have been in full
accord in this matter from the star
of the movement shortly after the re
cent Presidential election. Mr.. Whit,
at that time and on several subseque n
occasions was quoted in the public
! press as stating that he proposed t
retire at an early date and would cal
| a meeting Of the national committe,
for the purpose of resigning. He con
frmed these statements to numbe
{ of US in q personal conversation. Th'
only question that seemed to be in hi
mind was as to the date upon which
he would retire.
! "At the same time there can be n
| doubt as to the purpose Of the peti
TONERS. They want new deal, and i
many of their kilograms they employee
the word 'reorganize' rather than tn
word 'organize,' which used. | am no
a member of the committee, but it !
my belief that the date of Mr.. White
retirement would be left to his pleas
ure. At the proposed meeting on Marc
| / it would be simple enough to selec
campaign or steering committee
which could actively take charge of tn
work of organizing. There is no rea
son for any misunderstanding, and Gel
tainly none but the most friendly fee
| ings are cherished for Mr., White pei
sonslly by me or by the many petition
ers whom l have interviewed"