Evening star., 1935-11-21
c. 0.P. HEADS PLAN
EARLY CONVENTION
Meet Here December is to
Fix Date, Probably Ahead
of Democrats.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The Republican National Commit
tee. casting aside all idea of jockeying
with the Democrats over convention
dates, is to meet here December 16 to
fix the time and place for the Re-
publican national convention of 1896.
Chairman Henry P. Fletcher has
issued the call for the committee
meeting 1t is expected the G. o. P.
will follow its usual course of holding
its convention about the middle of
June. The practice of the Democrats
has been to meet week or two after
the Republicans to name their can
didates and write their platform.
The advisability of holding the
Republican convention next year after
the Democratic convention had been
canvassed. The idea was to take ad-
vantage Of any ructions that might
arise among the Democrats, either
over the denomination of President
Roosevelt or the writing of the Demo-
cratic platform. Apparently, however,
the judgment Of the Republican lead
ers has been that it will be more
advantageous to hold the G. o. P.
convention early, nominate the party
candidate and go to work building
him up as soon as possible with the
voters.
Finance Committee Named.
At the same time he sent out his
call for the meeting of the national
committee, Chairman Fletcher an
nounced appointment Of Republican
National Finance Committee. headed
by William B. Bell of New York,
president of the American Cyanamid
Co. The new committee is composed
| of I6 members. The list of names
includes some of the foremost indus
trialists in the country. Many of the
members never before have taken
prominent parts in politics.
Chairman Fletcher's statement ac-
companying the appointment of the
finance committee follows in part:
II am delighted that these men
have consented to assist me in
financing the Republican Party cam
paign against the alien doctrines and
maladministration of the New Deal.
ment, vitality concerned over the well
fare Of the country. Realizing that
| the American system is threatened
and that the future of the country
is seriously menaced. they have
agreed to put their shoulders to the
wheel.
In these circumstances. the only
! effective method of preserving the
! American system is, SO they are con-
vinced, national political action. To
this end, they have pledged their aid
to the Republican party.
mo Secrecy on Collections"
These men are strong in the con-
viction that the Republican party is
the only political organization to
whose support there must be rallied
those of the North and of the South,
of the East and of the West-of what
soever political faith-in short, those
throughout this Nation who believe
in preserving the American system.
There will be no secrecy about
the collection or the disbursement Of
funds for the Republican National
Committee. The provisions of the
Federal corrupt practices act will be
observed.
while I do not expect TO raise
sum which can match the billions Of
the peoples money the administra-
ton is now using in many fiagrant
instances for purely political purposes,
I hope we can raise enough to defray
| thu fa of
out fight against the New Deal"
Goodspeed on Committee.
In addition to Mr.. Bell, the Finance
Committee members are:
Charles B. Goodspeed, assistant
treasurer, Republican National Com
mittee, Chicago; Charles Francis
Adams, Boston, former secretary of
Union Trust Co. of Boston; Wallace
M. Alexander, San Francisco, chair
man of board, Alexander Baldwin,
Ltd; Sewell L. Avery. Chicago, presi-
dent and chairman of board, Mont
gomery Ward & Co.; William "
Hodges, Denver, member Of law firm
of Hodges, Wilson & Rogers: J. F.
Lincoln, Cleveland, president, Lincoln
Electric Co.; Joseph N. Pew. jr. Phila-
delphia, vice president, Sun Oil Co.;
Herbert L. Pratt, New York City, men,
Der of the firm Of Charles Pratt & Co.,
former chairman of board Of Stand
ard Oil Co. of New York: A. w
Robertson, Pittsburgh, chairman OF
board, Westinghouse Electric & Manu-
featuring Co.; Edward l.. Ryerson,
Chicago. president. Joseph T. Ryerson
& Son, member of Yale Corp: Alfred
l.. Shapleigh. st. Louis, chairman of
board, Shapleigh Hardware Co. and
director of Washington University;
Henry D. Sharpe, Providence, r. l.,
treasurer, Brown & Sharpe Manufac-
turing Co.; Silas H. Strawn, Chicago,
member of the law firm of Winston,
Strewn & Shaw; Robert H. Thayer,
New York City, member of the law
firm of Donovan, Leisure, Newton &
Lumbard, and Ernest T. Weir, Pitts
burgh, chairman of board, National
Steel Corp.
Middle West City Favored.
The Republican National Commit
tee is expected to pick a city in the
Middle West for the party's national
convention. In the first place the
Middle West is regarded as the main
battle ground, particularly If the Re-
publicans are to win. Second, a city
in the Middle West is more central for
all the delegates and therefore more
acceptable.
Much will depend on the size of the
bids made by the various cities seeking
the convention and on the facilities
for the convention and the delegates
which they offer. The National Com
mittee expects a check of approx
mately 100000 from the city to which
the convention is allotted.
Chicago already is planning to win
the conventions Of both the Repub-
hcans and Democrats, II it can. Al
bert Lasker is the head of a commit
tee of 800 in that city obtaining
pledges of financial support in return
! IA