Evening star., 1934-06-05

tee insisted during a series of con-
ferences yesterday that some agree
ment should be reached on the chair
manship before the balloting was per-
mitted to begin.
Despite the general demand that
the new chairman shall be a man
from the Midwest and not identified
too closely with any of the old groups,
whether Hoover or 'old guard" the
name Of Fletcher was today ad-
vanced. 1t was urged that while
Mr.. Fletcher Is not Westerner nor
entirely new in the picture, he still
Is not recognized as an old guards
man.
Fletcher, it was learned authorita- =
lively. would be acceptable to the
Hoover group. provided no agreement
can be reached on a Western man.
Former Senator James E. Watson of
Indiana. who has a block of votes in
the committee. was reputed to be will
ing to throw his support either to
Fletcher or Walter S. Hallanan ma
tional committeeman for West Vir-
g1nia. for chairman, provided Watson
was made chairman of a new Execu-
tive Committee. Watson's position
under such a set-up, would be similar
to that held by Jouett Shouse when
John j. Raskob was Democratic ma
tional chairman.
Several younger men from the Mid
west and the border States have been
trotted out. but objection has been
raised to them. The list includes J
ID M. Hamilton, the national commit
teeman for Kansas; Hallanan and
former Gov. Brucker of Michigan.
Indeed. the favorite pastime of the
committee members is to hit a head
as soon as 1t is raised. All kinds of
gossip about the suggested candidates
has been circulated. There has so
far been a definite lack of dominat-
ing leadership. Many rumors have
been started, including reports that
Ogden Mills. former Secretary of the
treasury. and Hilles of New York
would be the final selection Roth
Mr.. Mills and Mr. Hilles have denied
positively that they are receptive
candidates.
viii Declare Principles.
On one part of the program of tn.
committee all factions seems to be
oennltely agreed-the adoption of a
declaration OF principles" The COM
mlttee has blood in its eye" and every
intention OF rapping the Roosevelt new
deal.
Members OF the committee are con-
vlnced that the new deal policies are
last declining in popularity. In their
declaration Of principles kind of
national platform-they will denounce
every move toward socialism" and de-
clare the Republican party stands
four-square for the Constitution. The
declaration, however, is expected To
have progressive slant
The adoption of a set of principles
by the national committee Is un-
precedented. That kind of thing has
always been left to the party in ma
tional convention.
Statement With Punch
Several drafts of the proposed decla-
ration OF principles have been written
Inc effort will be. it is said. to keen
the statement extremely brief and yet
TO put a lot of punch" in it.
Some OF the Western members OF
the committee may balk SERIOUSLY II
the proposal to elect Mr.. Fletcher is
pressed. But Just what they will be
able to accomplish is not clear. The
demand has been for a chairman who
will appeal particularly to the younger
element in the Republican party.
II no agreement can be reached
whereby Fletcher or another can be
assured Of a majority vote for chair
man, then the race will be an open
one. Under those conditions it Is
expected that tn following names will
be among those placed before the COM
mittee for balloting:
Hallanan, Philip Collins OF Illinois
leader in American Legion circles
here; John D. M Hamilton; Hanford
MacNider Of Iowa, former United
States Minister to Canada and former
Assistant Secretary of War; Fletcher
Walter E. Edge of New Jersey, former
Senator and former Ambassador
Former Senator Watson of Indiana.
and former Senator Hiram Bing-
ham of Connecticut. Should the
committee turn to a dark horse can
didate. Col. Theodore Roosevelt may
be in the picture, it is saio.
Compromise Seen.
Hallanan has the support of the old
guard group in considerable degree
and if there can be no agreement on
Fletcher for chairman. or some other
candidate. the West Virginian may be
given a run IN the ballbting with that
backing. Strong opposition to Hal.
lanan has developed in some quar-
tiers. however.
The suggestion was made as the
committee was assembling today that
Representative Chester Bolton oi
Ohio, chairman of the Republican
Congressional Committee. would be q
good choice for chairman. He comes
from the Midwest, from a pivotal
State. He represents the younger
group in the party. Bolton, who is
attending the meeting here. insists
that he is in no sense a candidate.