Evening star., 1949-07-21
The Political Mil =,
Scott Successors Choice g,
No Easy Task for 6. or.
Committee Members Resent Move
By Outsiders to Pick Chairman
The Political Mil
By Gould Lincol.


Members Of the Republican National Conn
mittee, having obtained from National Chair.
man Hugh D. Scott, jr definite statement
of RESIGNATION, are finding the selection Of his
successor no easy task. A definite sentiment
in favor of the election of chairman from
the ranks of the committee Is manifesting
itself. -
Indeed, considerable resentment has been
expressed over efforts Of outsiders
members OF the committee-to pick . new
national chairman. One report to the effect
that Gov. Dewey Of New York and Senator
Taft of Ohio both would be satisfied with
former Senator John Danaher Of Connecti-
cut, as chairman, caused quite furry among
committeeman now in Washington. Mr.1
Danaher is not q member Of the committee,
although In the past he has been closely
associated with it, particularly as liaison
officer with the Congress. But Mr.. Danahef
has indicated he would not accept Another
outsider who has been put forward is A. T.
Bert Howard. Republican State chairman
for Nebraska. Senator Wherry of Nebraska.
Republican floor leader Of the Upper House,
is backing him.
Danaher Generally Liked.
Mr.. Danaher Is generally liked. He has
the qualifications which are needed Tor an
efficient chairman and comes from State
where the contest between the Republican,
and Democratic Parties is always severe. But
apparently the advancement of his name has
caused candidates within the committee 1t.
self-and their friends-a lot OF anguish.
Here is another case of personal ambitions.
There is no rule which compels the selec.
ton Of member Of the committee for chair.
man. Mr.. Scott, the retiring chairman, for
example, Is not a member Of the committee.
He was picked by presidential NOMINEES
Thomas E. Dewey to head the committee.
It is only between presidential campaigns
that the party's national committee (either,
Republican or Democratic), has free swing
at choosing national chairman. The prac-,
tice has been to have the presidential nominee
of the party put his finger on a man to be-,
come national chairman and run the CAM
paign He holds on or is appointed to 7ome !
high Government position and retires from
the craftsmanship (there have been in-
stances, however. where the chairman held
on to both jobs. =
The full membership Of the Republican
National Committee is 106, representing the
States, territories and the District Of Colum-
bia The committee is to meet here August
to receive Mr.. Scott's resignation and elect
his successor. Mr.. Scott has been target
ever since the 1948 election was lost. His
opponents in the committee, having tasted
blood now want to tight out the chairman
ship selection in their own way. They seem
to have overlooked, however, that the friends
Of Mr.. Scott In the committee constitute Z
considerable bloc and that they retain at
least . veto power which could be used
against . chairman candidate they did not
like.
Out for Man Of Choice.
Also there seems no way for the COMMITTEES
to get entirely away from outside influences.
Friends of Messrs. Dewey, Taft and Stassen.
the three leading candidates for the presi-
Dental nomination last year. are not going
to let slide the opportunity Of doing sonne-
thing" for the man Of their choice. 49,
The main thing. however. is to- pick
chairman who is capable who knows about
party organization and can build up both the
organization and the financial support which
are necessary for the campaign next year
and in 1862. The National Committee is
primarily for organizational purposes. It's
members are not elected by the people but
put forward by the various State and terri
torial delegations attending the national con-.
ventions, and elected by the convention.
Among the members Of the national COM
mittee who are either candidates or whose
names have been suggested for the chair
manship are Carroll Reece Of Tennessee, who
was chairman before Mr.. Scott took over:
Guy Gabrielson Of New Jersey, former Gov.
Ralph Gates of Indiana, Arthur E. Summer
field Of Michigan and Harry Darby Of