Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-25
BUTLER TO REMAIN
AT HELM OF c. 0. P.
Decision Seen as Evidence of
Presidents Intention to
Seek Reelection.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
William NJ Butler, former Senator
from Massachusetts, is to remain
chairman of the Republican national
committee during the rest of the Cool
idge administration. This announce
ment, now issued with what is called
definite and absolute assurance as
SumeS special significance. because 1t
stresses that Mr.. Butler will continue
at the G. o. p. helm throughout the
year 1928. Between now and June /,
1928, President Coolidge's intentions
regarding another term will be made
known. This may happen relatively
soon or be deferred until later in the
year. But the fact that the President
is retaining as his official political
lieutenant the man who piloted him to
victory in 1924 is to be taken as al
most categorical evidence that Mr..
Coolidge will in due course proclaim
his readiness to be his own successor.
Ends Undercover Conflict.
The decision to continue MIR. Butler
in the national Craftsmanship puts an
end to a lively undercover conflict
within the committee for his toga.
Many Republican politicians jumped
to the conclusion that Buffers days
were numbered when he succumhed to
David /. Walsh, Democrat, in the 1926
senatorial contest in Massachusetts.
The White House spokesman promptly
quashed that theory by announcing
that Butler. having ceased to be a Sen
ator, would have correSpondingly
more time to be an active Republican
national chairman. But the statement
carried no suggestion that the New
bedford textile magnate would indefi-
nitely keep his hand on the party
throttle. This, it is now forthcoming
on high authority. is exactly what
Butler is going to do.
Three Republicans of national prom
inence have figured in the controver-
sial discussion of an heir to Buffers
crown. Pretenders cropped up over
night as soon as the Massachusetts
election went against him. Some of
them were active aspirants. Others
were in the hands of their friends.
The name that was most conspicu-
ously discussed was that of c. Bas-
com Slemp, Republican national COM
mitteeman from Virginia, and former
secretary to President Coolidge. An
other G. o. p. leader who was credited
with Craftsmanship ambitions is DIR.
Hubert Work, Secretary of the In
terror, and chief captain of Republi
can forces In Colorado. The third
politician who was doomed for But
ler's place was Roy O. West of Chi
cago, now secretary of the national
committee. Mr.. Vests support
sprang from quarters close to Vice
President Dawes.
Climax to Conferences.
Renewal of the Butler lease on the
party craftsmanship has come as the
climax of a series of intercommittee
conferences at Washington and other
political centers. Outspoken views
were presented, especially from the
Midwest and Northwest, regarding
the desirability of displacing New
England control" of the Republican
national machine. Those leaders who
espoused the removal of Butler were
actuated not only by the belief. that
his defeat "discredited" him among
party workers, who generate little
enthusiasm for lame duck"
There also was the feeling on the
part of these practical gentlemen that
a national chairman of greater per-
sonal magnetism than Butler has
should be given the scepter. Also,
those Republican managers who were
steam-rollered by Chairman Butler at
the Cleveland national convention in
1924 revealed renewed enthusiasm In
favor of his decapitation. AS happened
in the Lake Erie metropolis, they have
once again been fiattened out, in con-
sequence of frowns from the White
House Jove.
Bascom Slemp's aspirations are not
looked upon as entirely suppressed.
The suave Virginians disappearance
from politics, following his departure
from the Coolidge Secretaryship in
March, 1925, has been more apparent
than real. During the present session
- 49, hae, Rod CT
to renew his close ties in both houses
in connection with the Muscle Shoals
offer of the Farmers Federated Fer
tiliZer Corporation. Perhaps Slemp's
ambitions in the direction of organiza-
ton leadership may have something
to do with the fact that the Coolidge
War Department asSailed the Slemp
proposition for Muscle Shoals as by
all means the most unattractive bid
yet submitted for Uncle Sans white
elephant. Nevertheless, the political
prestige of the Old Dominion lone
star Republican leader is considered
to have been enhanced by his Muscle
Shoals activities. If Muscle Shoals
drags into the next session of Con-
gress, as there is every likelihood that
IL will, the country may expect il to
be trotted out as a Republican agri-
cultural relief measure. Slemp will
be one or Its prophets.
Western Farmers Turn Away.
As to the Presidents 1928 plans, the
past week has brought forth two out
standing developments. The first was
the announcement by Ralph f. VIII
lianns of Oregon, vice chairman Of the
Republican national committee, that
Western farmers are turning away
from Coolidge In favor of Lowden
The Oregonian did not mince words
in narrating that fact at the White
House. A more satisfactory develop.
ment, from the Coolidge standpoint,
was the episode in which George K
Morris, Republican State chairman of
New York, figured. Morris informed
the President that Empire State
@. o. p. leaders are for his renomina.
ton as the surest means of beating
All Smith In 1923.
Downright 1907