Evening star., 1922-06-05
REPUBL|CANSFA|L
TO PICK CHAIRMAN
Pepper, Pinchot and Reed in
"AmicabIe Disagreement"
at ParIey Here.
BIZ n. o. MESSENGER.

A conference of deep concern to
Pennsylvania republican politics in
its bearing upon possible party peace
or factional trouble was held here
today at the Hotel Powhatan. The
participants were Senator Pepper,
Maj. Reed of Pittsburgh, recently
nominated for the other senatorial
seat. and Clifford Pinchot, the repub-
lican candidate for governor. The
point at issue related to the selection
of a chairman of the republican state
committee and involves a difference
between the factional elements sup
posed to be led by Ir. Pinchot and
others popularly described as the old
regime in the party. The object of
the conference was, if possible, to Sc
cure an agreement upon a man who
would be agreeable to the candidate
for governor and to the two Sena-
torial candidates.
The outcome of todays meeting was
failure 10 combine on candidate for
state chairman. The state committee
will meet in Philadelphia next Sat
urday and Mr.. Plnchot will recon-
mend the election of Asher Minor of
and Maj. Reed Will suggest the cleo
tion of W. Harry Baker. now secre-
tary of the committee, TO the chair
manship.
Office Only Involved.
The inability to agree at today's
meeting on a candidate acceptable to
all parties to the conference would
seem to indicate the opening of a
factional disagreement at the very
outset of the campaign. except for a
statement made after the meeting by
Senator Pepper. who pointed out that
this failure to get together applies
only to the Office under discussi ion
and does not involve a break in the
party over the state and senatorial
campaign.
1t cannot be emphasized toe
strongly" said Senator Pepper, with
his associate on the senatorial ticket
Maj Reed, standing by and acqui-
escing, that our failure to come 10
terms on a candidate for state chair
man does not mean a cleavage in the
party and\doe not create a faction
al fight over the general program. "
We will all work for the republica n
party and Will not play favorites in
the campaign.
We are united as a team for the
fall campaign. for the entire repubii-
can ticket. We were in session for
two hours and came to a perfectly
amicable disagreement as to the
choice of chairman of the state COM
mittee. We will make separate rec
concentrations to the state commit
tee, which has tie deciding power.
win Work for Harmony.
I'VE are all anxious not to take
sides in a factional contest and will
do all in our power to work in har.
mony in the campaign and the cleo.
ton"
Maj. Reed, who did not care to be
quoted, voiced agreement with wha,
Senator Pepper said. Immediately
after the conference Mr.. Pinchot re.
turned to Pennsylvania and Mai
Reed left for his home later in the
day. The three participants in to.
days meeting will attend the meet.
ing of the state committee in Phil.
adelphia next Saturday.
Pennsylvania politicians in town
| outside of those who sat in the meet.
ing, were deeply interested in the
| outcome of the conference and vari.
Gus views were expressed prophetic
i of the future. The strong statement
of Senator Pepper made an impres
! sion and was taken at its face value
| as indicative of the desire of the
| two senatorial candidates to hrine
| about harmony of action with tn,
new element represented by MIR
Pinchot. if the latter is agreeable
| Mr. Pinchot, after the meeting
said with a smile. Il have a very i'm.
portant announcement to make, m,
| usual one. have nothing to say
| But he then withdrew for a talk Will
Senator Pepper and Maj. Reed, ant
it was after this conversation tha
Senator Pepper made the foregoing
| statement.