Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-31
.SLEMP HEADS BODY
TO EFFECT A BREAK
IN THE SOLID SOUTH
Republicans Determined td
Wrest Control of Dixie
From Democrats.
TO MAKE OVER FORMATION
OF PARTY IN SECTION
Will H. Hays Will Have Active
Part in Reconstruc-
ton Work.
RESENT NEGRO DOMINATION
Would Eliminate Number of Con.
tests for Seats Among Delega-
tions mt Conventions.
TO MAKE OVER FORMATION
OF PARTY IN SECTION
RESENT NEGRO DOMINATION
Would Eliminate Number OF Con,
tests for Seats Among Dclega-
tions mt Conventions.
ny JOHN GLEIssNER.
United New. stan corrcrponden

COFrcNDOndRnt.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 30.-The be-
ginning OF n determined effort by tho
Republican party permanently to de-
stroy Democratic solidarity in tho
South. which has existed since tho
Civil War. is seen in the announce
incnt that n committee has been set
TO work to study very carefully and
impartially" the political situation in
that area.
Leaders forecast complete recon-
struction OF the party's machinery in
the Southern States. The committees
appointed by VIII II. Hays. the ma
tionai chairman, is composed OF c.
Bascom Slemp, Congressman from
Virginia; Earle Kinsley. national
committeeman from Vermont: r. r.
Howell. national committeeman from
Nebraska: C. B. Miller. ex -ofrcio sec
rctary, and Hays himself an ex-oGi-
clio chairman. The committee. after
an investigation. will make recon-
inendat!ons for changes in organiza-
ton and apportionment OF delegates
TO the next national convention.
Responds to Convention.
The movement is In response to ac-
tion taken Mt tho Chicago convention.
y resolution authorizing tho appoint
ment OF the committee asked for in
formation as to how the Republic
can party in the States Of the South
may be reorganized or constituted to
make 1t moro effective agent for
the spreading and recording of Re-
publican principles and electing Re-
| publican electors" Belief was cx,
pressed that the solid South" was
more inclined to Republican princi-
| pies than it's voting indicates.
The suggested change in apportion-
ment likewise is the outgrowth OF a
| resolution adopted by the Chicago
convention. The object would be to
inspire and maintain substantial
party organizat..a, ..d
proper and necessary changes in tho
present apportionment OF delegates in
| proportion TO votes actually cast"
The Republicans desire to eliminate
! the numerous contests from Southern
states that arise at every national
convention, and purge the orEaniza-
lions In certain States OF notoriously
undesirable elements. Southern rem
resentation at the conventions has
long been the subject OF friction. and
criticism has been made OF the man
ner In which Southern delegations
were elected and seated. There has
been resentment over what has been
charged was negro control, and what
mas been said to be organization based
wholly OH patronage.
Gains In Election.
Ihe Republicans made inroads in
the Solid South" during the Novem-
per election. capturing Tennessee and
Oklahoma for the presidential ticket.
and gaining congressional victories.
Leaders nope by work during the next
iour years TO consolidate those gains
ana undermine the Democratic SUI
premacy in other sections. destroying
LOT all time the Democratic hold on
the South. Recent speeches of Presi-
dent-Elect Harding. in which he re-
ferred to wiping out of sectionalism.
are considered significant.
1t Will be remembered that the Re-
publican National Committee durln.
the years of Democratic control Of the
administration, worked without relay
atioh to overthrow il. and tha per-
sistent labor Is credited with having
zone much toward swelling the elec-
tion majority Application of similar
tactics in the South, leaders hope, will
bear fruit.