The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-09
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BY BEN STERN.

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- toward calling of special
meeting Of the Democratic state
committee to select a successor to
Charles A. Greenhouse, Democratic
national committeeman from In
diana, who died last week, is to be
sounded by r. Earl Peters, state
chairman, it was learned today.
Fred Van Mugs, chairman Of the
1880 campaign executive committee,
first will poll the party leaders on
his board of strategy, regarding the
advisability of filling the vacancy
at the present time. This recon-
mendation, whatever it may be, then
will be forwarded by Peters to the
district chairmen, who will be asked
to express their opinions.
Rules of the national committee
provide that where a vacancy oc-
ours between national conventions,
it may be filled at any time by the
state committee.
Names of three possible candi-
dates for the honor have been adj
Vanced.
They are Thomas Taggart, prince
of French Lick" whose father was
the close friend and political asso-
ciate of Mr.. Greathouse; Lew Ell
bingham, Fl. Wayne publisher and
former secretary Of state, and Will
liam H. O'Brien of Lawrenceburg,
former auditor Of state.
The latter, who was associated
closely with the elder Taggart, and
whose name has been mentioned
frequently as a possible candidate
for Governor next year, probably
will bow himself out of the pic
ture in the event that Tom indicates
that he wants the national COM
mittee post.
Ellingham, however, it has been
reported, Intends to stick in the
field
An excellent indication of how
far the opposition to the reelection
of Peters as state chairman has
progressed, would be afforded in
event the state committee decides
to fill the vacancy in the near flu
ture.
Basis for this is the fact that Ell
bingham would go into the contest
supported by Chester Montgomery
and Rudy Alderman of South Bend,
leaders of the opposition; while
Taggart would perforce, become the
favorite of the state chairman's
faction.
A desperate effort would be ex-
erted to elect the Fort Wayne pub
Usher. Heretofore, it has been Gus
tomary to award the state chair
manship to one section of the state
and the national committeeship to
another.
Inasmuch as both Ellingham and
Peters reside in Fort Wayne, selec-
ton of the former would help to
solidify opposition to reelection of
the latter.
1t is good politics and might work
out, except for one factor. Let
Ellingham be selected and Peters
and his friends would be sure to
build up an organization to defeat
him when the state convention
elects the committeeman next June.
If Peters really is rejecting the
truth in his claims that a majority
OF the incumbent district chairmen
are allied with him, then good tao
tics would insist that he call to-
gether the committee at once and
name Taggart, for if he waits, he
may find the cards stacked against
him.
Signal favor was accorded the lat
ter over the weekend when he was
named by Jouett Shouse to head
the drive here to pay off the party's
national debt.
But as far as real opposition to
Tom is concerned, there really is
none
He is well liked by the rank and
file of the party