Evening star., 1924-04-25
REPUBLICANS DEBATE
4 CONVENTION LEADER
Committee Looks to President for
i Temporary Chair
man.
SOON. TO MAKE CHOICE
Selection of Successor to John T.
Adams Is Problem.

President Coolidge'S choice OF a
Temporary chairman of the Repub-
lican national convention, to be held
in Cleveland, commencing June 10,
will be made public within the next
few days, it was made known at the
White House today.
Although there is known to be
strong sentiment in numerous quar-
tiers of the party that John T. Adams
the present chairman of the national
committee, remain in charge, the lat
ter has repeatedly intimated that he
would like to retire from the &C
live leadership of the party immedi-
ately after the smoke of the CleVe-
land convention has cleared away.
Those close to the White House have
been given to understand that while
MIR. Adams relations with the White
House are most cordial and that har-
1nony exists, President Coolidge and
his close adyisers-those who have
campaign-would favor some one of
the Presidents own selection assum-
ing the generalship of the party.
Butler Suggested.
2 In this connection William NJ. But
Ter, Republican national committee
man from Massachusetts,, close per-
Sonal friend of the President, and
who has been personally in charge
OF his campaign for the presidential
nomination, is thought by some to be
under serious consideration as success
sor to Mr.. Adams. There would be
some objection to Mr.. Butler because
of Lis coming from New England, and
1T is pointed out in certain quarters
OF the party's ranks there is a ten
dency to resent what is termed too
much New England" in the admins
1ration and the management of the
party. Then there are those who
think that Mr.. Butler, while very ca
pable in many ways and possessed
OF rare judgment, is not sufficiently
versed in the art of practical politics
TO handle Succe SSfully such n ma
chine az that of the Republican party
during national campaign.
II Chairman Adams is determin n ed
to resign, or if the President ex-
men, many of the Republican leaders
feel that c. Bascom Slemp, secretary
to the President, would be the soIu-
ton. His long experience in Vir-
Einia and national politics and his
many years in Congress have given
him a knowledge of politics and hu-
man nature that is closely associated
with it that would make him most
useful and valuable as the field mar
shall of the Republican party. Friends
of the President, however, answer
this suggestion by saying that Mr..
Slemp would be far more valuable in
his present place. and that his wide
experience and political knowledge
would serve probably to a better pur-
pose by keeping him alongside of
the President during the coming cam
paign.
Favor Secretary Hughes.
However, the selection of the na-
tional chairman will not be made un-
til the Cleveland convention has
nominated a presidential and vice
presidential candidate.
The matter of the selection of a
temporary chairman is looked upon
at this time of being of more moment,
and, according to recent develop
sentiment in favor of Charles f,
Hughes. Secretary of State.
Selection of a temporary chairman
was discussed without decision yes
terday by representatives. of the Re
publican national committee and
managers of the Coolidge campaign
The type of man desired was pretty
well determined, but no actual Sc
lection was made.
Decision Wednesday.
The national committees subcom-
1nittee on arrangements for the con-
vention will meet in Cleveland next
Wednesday to decide who shall be
recommended TO the convention as
temporary chairman and, inasmuch
as party leaders without exception
expect President Coolidge to be Sc
Jected as the standard bearer, it was
deemed advisab BILE to obtain his views
on the craftsmanship.
Such was the purpose of yesterdays
meeting held here at the Metropoli-
tan Club, and attended by Chairman
ADAMS, David Mulvane of Kansas,
chairman of the arrangements sub
committee; c. H. Huston, chairman of
the national committees ways and
means division; William NJ Butler,
manager chief of the Coolidge
campaign; c. Bascom Slemp, secretary
TO the President, and Frank w.
Stearns. associated with Mr.. Butler
in the Coolidge campaign.
Nearly dozen names were con-
Sidered, and all of them previously
have been mentioned in connection
with the place of presiding officer.
Among them were Secretary Hughes,
former Gov. Lowden of Illinois. for
mer Senator Beveridge of Indiana,
Gov. Hyde of Missouri, Gov. Groes-
beck of Michigan, Representative Bur-
ton of Ohio, Representative Long
worth of Ohio, Senator Willis of Ohio,
Senator Borah of Idaho and former
Gov. Shoup of Colorado.