Evening star., 1953-01-18

morning. the committee listened
to speeches by Senator Dirkser
of Illinois, chairman of the Re-
publican Senatorial Campaign
Committee, former Representa-
tive Leonard w. Hall of New
York, chairman of the Republi-
can Congressional Campaign
Committee, Mrs. Roy F. Priest
of Utah, assistant to the chair
man, and Wayne j. Hood OF
Wisconsin, executive director OF
the committee.
Mrs. Priest gave up her post
as assistant to the chairman tc
accept that of Treasurer of the
United States. Chairman Roberts
Immediately appointed Miss
Bertha S. Adkins of Maryland
as assistant to the chairman.
Warnings were issued by Sen
ator Dirksen and Mr.. Hall that
the Republicans must not let
down but most put forth every
effort to retain and increase
their control of the House and
Senate in the 1854 elections.
Mr.. Hall told the committee
that the Republicans had been
able to elect only 221 members
of the House, 3 more than the
necessary 218 for a majority, last
November This he declared was
no surprise to him. He said the
reason lay in the fact that the
Democrats in recent years have
dominated the elections for Con-
gress in the big cities of the
country.
Cities Are StrOnghOlds.
II would be less than frank
with you.' said Mr.. Hall. IF
did not say that despite the tre-
mendous showing President-elect
Eisenhower made in the big
cities, we have still not pene-
trated beyond the city limits so
far as congressional seats are
concerned"
Senator Dirksen also told the
committee that particular efforts
must be made to increase Repub-
lican strength in the Senate two
years hence. The national COM
mittee met yesterday with 40 Re-
publican State chairmen as
members, under rule adopted
at the convention last July. This
brings the total number of ma
tional committee members te
146. Most of them attended yes.
terday's meeting.
The committee accepted the
resignation of Sinclair Weeks
member for many years from
Massachusetts, and seated hi:
successor, Ralph H. Bonnel. Mr.
Weeks will be appointed Secre.
tary of Commerce by Gen. Eisen.
hover. Mr.. Weeks had served as
treasurer of the committee anc
as national finance chairman
He was praised highly for hi;
work by Mr.. Summerfield anc
other committee members.
Salary $4,000 to $4,000,
Mr.. Roberts, it is reported
will receive an annual salary o1
$25, 900 to $4,000 as national
chairman, giving all his time tc
the work. The salary will be
fixed by the executive commit
tee at 10 am. today. The new
chairman is a former newspaper
editor and veteran of the Marine
Corps in World War II. He
held the rank of major ano
saw service in the Pacific wal
area.
Since 1886 Mr.. Roberts, who
was born in 1908, has been ac-
tive in Republican politics, serv-
ing manager in gubernatoria,
campaigns and as Kansas State
chairman. He managed Senator
Frank Carlson's successful cam
paign for election to the upper
house in 1850. From January
through July. Mr.. Roberts was
executive director of the Eisen.
hover national headquarter:
here. During the presidential
campaign he was director of or
ganization and co-ordinator o1
the activities of the nationa
committee and the independent
Citizens for Eisenhower.
The Republican organizations
were apparently able to obtain
the necessary funds for the re-
cent campaign. Senator Dirkser
told the national committee thai
his Senatorial campaign com.
mittee had received about $700,.
900 and had expended S317.00C
1Or SeldCOflal campaign In Vafl-
Gus States. used other thousand.
to help finance television prof.
ects.
Mr.. Hall said he was turning
over about 100000 to his sue.
ceSsor as chairman of the Re.
publican congressional campaign
committee.
The Republican national COM
mittee members entertained al
dinner last night. with Vice Pres.
ident-elect Richard Nixon anc
members designate of the Eisen-
hover cabinet as their guests.
DANCING.