The Washington times., 1923-04-12
IS OUT Of
RACE To HEAD
'REBS''
Announces Withdrawal and
Supports HaIdeman for
Commander of Vets.
BY RALPH G. LEBLOND,
International News Service.

International News Service.
NEW ORLEANS, La, April 12.-
Gen. Julian 8. Carr, commander
in-chief United Confederate Vet
Grams, in an exclusive statement
to international News Service. an
nounced his withdrawal from the
race for commandments this
morning. He stated he would nom
mate Gen. w. B. Haldeman, of
Kentucky, for the post.
General Trademarks election over
Gen. James A. Thomas, of Georgia
is claimed on the first ballot, by
the Haldeman campaign manager.
The. Haldeman camp is iubliant
ever the sudden turn of events
and already is celebrating its vic.
tory in advance of the election
which does not take place until
late today.
Big Fights Ahead.
Delegates of the United Confeder-
ate Veterans and the Sons of Con-
federate Veterans entered their re-
respective conventions today sharp
ly divided into hostile camps on
questions of vital issues and candi-
dates. The business session closes
this afternoon with the election of
officers and the election Of a 1924
convention city.
The thirty-third reunion of the
United Confederate Veterans closes
Friday morning with parade.
Both conventions opened sessions
today in an atmosphere surcharged
with expectancy. Spectators sensed
the tenseness and, anticipating fire
works, the convention halls had
large galleries OF interested on
lockers. Leaders following a night
of conferences and caucuses behind
locked doors, were astir early mar
shaling their forces.
Khan May Split Sons.
The first big battle of the day
will be fought in the convention OF
the Sons of Confederate Veterans
when the successor Of Commander
in Chief Colonel w. Mcdonald Lee,
of Virginia is elected. The situa-
ton stands Lee against the field.
The khan issue is paramount.
In the final hour 1t finds sharp
divisions of the Sons. The pre-
diction is made from anti-klan head
quarters that If the khan faction
wins it will split the Sons into two
organizations.
The voting strength in the Sons
convention is approximately 500. or
this number Virginia has 1874 dele
gates. Lees friends claim the al
most solid vote OF Virginia for. the
present commander. Commander
Lee, by virtue of his position, has
been able to strengthen himself
through the appointment OF impor-
tant committee heads. Nathan Bed
ford Forest, said to be grand dragon
Of the khan, heads the powerful Gre
dentials committee. and Col. w. A.
Odds of Norfolk, Va, is chairman OF
the resolutions committee. Lee is
credited with the solid khan support,
in spite of his announcement that he
opposed the injection of the issue in
the convention.
Opposition Divided.
The opposition to Lee is divided
between State Senator L. A. Morton
Of Duncan, Okla. and Elgin n. Bla-
lock Of Jacksonville, Tex, district
commander of the District of Column
bia. Looming as a dark horse is
Carl Hinton of Denver, present ad-
jutant-in-chief. Hinton has an
nounced his retirement from the
post of adjutant. He is being brought
forward by friends to consolidate all
opposition to Lee.
The question OF amalgamation of
the Sons and Confederate Veterans
was decisively settled late Wednes-
day, when the convention Of Sons
unanimously adopted Commander
Lees report against amalgamation.
The selection of "a permanent ma
tional headquarters for the Sons also
will be settled today. Richmond, Va,
and New Orleans are active contend
ers for the honor.
The real fireworks in the Con
federate Veterans convention starts
at the afternoon session with the
election Of a communicating chief TO
succeed Gen. Julian S. Carr. The
race is a four-cornered one, be-
tween General Carr, General Halde-
man, of Kentucky; General Kirk
patrick, Of Texas, and General
Thomas, of Georgia. Haldemans
friends claim 515 votes for him on
the first ballot from the department
of Northern Virginia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Arkansas, oklahoma,
the Pacific division and Missouri.
There are 1,137 delegates in the
United Confederate Veterans con-
vention, making $50 necessary for
choice. Hald%man's Supporters say
that if Kirkpatrick withdraws the
Kentucky candidate will receive the
bulk of the 208 votes from the
Lone Star State.
Motion Hits Khan.
The resolutions committee of the
veterans also is to report today.
1t has before it a resolution that is
said to be aimed at the Khan. The
resolution, dropped into the hopper
by j. M. Trout, of Jackson, Tenn,
binds the Confederate Veterans
convention to stand for law and
order.
The selection of a 1924 conven-
ton city has developed a pretty
three-cornered fight between Mem
phis, Dallas and Louisville, which
will be settled this afternoon.
Memphis, because of its central
location, is picked as the winner.
AT noon today the Confederate
memorial service was held in the
Veterans convention hall under the
direction of Chaplain General J. w,
Bachman and Mrs. A, Med. viii.
son. The Sons of Confederate Vet
Grams, Daughters of the Confed-
eracy, the Memorial Association
and Veterans attended.