The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-10

Oct First Word Of Arrange
ments Through Newspapers.
Amazed and Ressntful
BY EARL BARRY FARIS.
International NAyEa Service.


CLEVELAND, Ohio, June 1O.-l
The dominating and outstanding |
figure in the 1924 Republican con-
vention--a convention lacking in |
color to a great many, but one |
that will live long in the memory
Of certain Old Guard Republican
leaders-is William NJ. Butler,
President Coolidge's- campaign
manager.
Unframed in, or disdainful of.
the manner in which Old Guard
leaders have for years conducted
national conventions the
aforesaid leaders think it is the
latter-Butler, as saving Of words
as his principal. President Cool
idge, has quietly gone ahead and
made all Of the pre-convention ar
rangements without as much as
even consulting any of the leaders
who in past years sat in judgment
while plans were formulated.
Ignored and Tanned.
Most OF the leaders have received
their first word Of what was being
done from the newspapers. At first
shocked, but believing that Butler
was proceeding without their coun-
eel and advice simply because he
didn't understand the custom, some
of the leaders are reported to have
sought Butler out and attempted
to point out to him where he was
making a mistake. No report of
what was said at these conferences
could be obtained. Butler, as usual,
didn't talk, and the leaders seemed
stunned into silence. But they
didn't hold any further conferences
with the Massachusetts mill owner.
Buffers brusQue manners early
last week in his conference with
newspaper men won him their
hearty dislike. Along late in the
week when the news-gatherers in
creased considerably in numbers
some one evidently succeeding in
convincing Butler that a little more
cordially wouldn't be at all out OF
place. The Coolidge manager
tilawed out to the extent Of smiling
q little, and once or twice he eS-
aayede q pun. The gathered scribes
didn't laugh--they were too amazed.
Dethrones Lodge.
The from hand with which Butler
rules was evidenced in the manner
In which Senator Lodge, for twenty
years a power in Republican coun-
ellis, was kept out Of any post Of
importance in the Massachusetts,
delegation. While Butler was not
openly connected with the voting
Of the Massachusetts, delegates,
there was little doubt that 1t was
at his order that the senior Sena-
tor from Massachusetts suffered
the greatest blow Of his political
career.
Butler, in his conferences with
newspaper men. has reacted quick
~ to all limitations that President
Coolidge is attempting to dictate
the writing of the Republican plat
Presidential candidate. Questions
along these lines have caused him
to flare up heatedly. He has re-
peatedly and emphatically declared
that President Coolidge will make
no effort to influence the conven-
ton In the choice of running
mate.
Cuts Answers Short.
After announcing the selection OF
q certain man to head one of the
convention committees, Butler was
asked by a newspaper man who had
made the selection. The Coolidge
manager whirled around and glarine
at his qUestioner, sharply stated
''His name was mentioned as being
O good man for the place. I don't
remember who made the sugges
ton" The newspaper man tried to
continue the que>tioning, apparent
ly in an effort tn learn If President
Coolidge had made the selection, but
Butler went ahead with @ statement
on another matter.
A good indication of how thor
0ughly Butler has tanned the Ole
Guard leaders who formerly con
Quoted affairs to suit themselves
was afforded by the reply Of one
Of the leaders to q question by q
newspaper man as to who would
be the Vice Presidential candidate
II don't know" answered the
leader. gloomily. Butler hasn't
told US yet" .....,.