Evening star., 1933-01-16
OLD GUARD SEEKS
NEW c. O.P. LEADER
Move Is Started to Take Con.
troll From Hoover After
March 4.
By the Associated Press.

6y the Associated PreSS.
Rumblings among Republican forces
forecast stirring contest soon between
the Old Guard and followers of Presi-
dent Hoover for control of the party
organization
Already move has been started to
resist any effort by Mr.. Hoover's
friends to have him retain the titular
chieftainShip Of the party after he re-
tires from the Presidency.
INDICATIONS are that the struggle, now
belng waged behind the scenes, will
preak into the open after March 4.
Mr. Hoover's friends. however, appear
conhdent he will have little difficulty
In holding the reins.
Inat MIR. Hoover desires to continue
as the dominating factor in the or
ganization with a view either of seek-
ing the presidential nomination In
1896. or debating the nominee is the
nene1 generally held by Republicans
on Capitol Hill.
Talk About New Set-up.
But members Of the Old Guard, who
considered themselves sighted during
the Hoover administration, are talking
about having the present party set-up
cleaned out from top to bottom. ana
new organization created, with con-
SerVatlVe basis but slant satisfactory
to the liberal element of the party.
They want to take over partv CON-
troll early in the Spring to prepare for
the congressional compaign in 1884.
with the hope OF recapturing the House
ana electing a Speaker, and thus to
pave the way, by a legislative record
route, to seize the administration 10
1886
While much preliminary maneuver-
ing Is going on, the battle lines are
not yet definitely drawn They are,
however, to center about the chairman
ship Of the Republican National Com
mittee, now held by Everett Sanders,
secretary to the late Calvin Coolidge,
when he was President.
Talk among the Republicans is that
Sanders desires to relinquish the post
within few months at the latest, al
though he has said he has no present
intention of resigning. Sanders was Sc
lected to head the committee last June
in Chicago following the Republican
National Convention when 1t appeared
doubtful that supporters of Mr.. Coolidge
would fall in line behind Hoovers
candidacy.
Successor to Sanders Sought.
The recent death of Mr.. Coolidge set
the anti-Hooverites back in their plans
Although Mr.. Coolidge had plainly in
dicated he would not re-enter politics,
they felt that he was potential candi-
date to thwart possible further political
ambitions Of Mr.. Hoover
Now this group is scouting about for
a logical successor to Sanders, should
he retire. No less active, however. are
the Hoover supporters, who also are
discussing possible successors.
he IL n -
publican national committeeman; ].
Henry Roraback Of Hartford, Conn,
vice chairman Of the National Commit
tee Henry P. Fletcher of Greencastle, Pa,
Frank Knox, Chicago newspaper pub
Usher, and Senator James z. Watson
Of Indiana, are being discussed as pos
sibilities by old guard guardsmen.
On the Hoover side, the names of
Ogden L. Mills, Secretary Of the Treas
ury; Lawrence Richey, secretary to Mr..
Hoover, and Walter F. Brown, the Post
master General, have been heard.
Suggestions have been made among
congressional Republicans that the ma
tional committee meet either in the
Spring or not later than September with
view to re-aligning the organization.
Gibson Issues Statement.
One evidence of the troubled Atua-
ton was brought out today by Repre-
sentative Gibson of Vermont, who
classes himself as O conservative, In Q
statement in which he said:
The present situation demands q re-
organization of the Republican party.
This should be initiated by the party
members Of the House OF the Seventy
Third Oncoming) Congress In prepara-
ton for a vigorous offensive.
va nrfr Hn a
fighting unit to represent the common
people Of the country. 1t has been an
effective criticism that It failed In this
purpose during the last few years and
for that reason the votes have turned
to the leader OF another party who
promises to accomplish what they be-
leve to be for. their good.
*x %
"The next presidential candidate Of
the party must come from the ranks
of the average citizen and have the best
traditions of the founders Of the Nation
back Of him He must be Of the Cool
idge type and able to understand the
common needs Of the people.
The Republican party must hence.
forth give direction to the hopes and
aspirations of the common folk 1t
must serve them If it Is to get away
from the blight of the reputation OF
serving big business only"
Criticizes House Organization.
Gibson also directed his criticism ct
the Republican House organization
headed by Representative Smell Of New
York, party floor leader.
1T is well known fact that the
Republican party policy and strategy OF
the House has been shaped and directed
by few members joined into q close
corporation" the Vermonter said.
MANY able men have been left in the
background and given no opportunity
to develop in leadership. Few have been
able to break this charmed circle. That
is the real reason for the lack OF lead
ers on the Republican side about which
we hear so much criticism.
THE Democrats have followed the
opposite policy since taking control and
every man has been given his oppor-
tunity. The result is plainly apparent.
That party is united as never before.
Strong leaders have been developed. The
Republicans must follow the same
course if they stand any show OF get
ting hack tn mower In a generation.