Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1918 — HAYS MEETS FORMER LEADERS [ARTICLE]

HAYS MEETS FORMER LEADERS

NEW CHAIRMAN RECOGNIZES NO FACTIONS—DINNER NEW YORK. New York, Feb. 26.—Wi1l H. Hays, chairman of the Republican national committee, dined informally here last night with six of his predecessors in that office. He told them he desired the benefit of their experience so he could profit from the methods which were successful in winning votes and avoid the pitfalls which had beset their political paths. The former national chairman at the dinner were William R. Wilcox, Charles D. Hillies, Frank H. Hitchcock, George B. Cortelyon, Harry S. New and Victor Rosewater. They were the guests of J. B. Reynolds at the Union League club. Chairman Hays declined to discuss politics for publication. He said he came here solely to meet his predecessors and learn from them their views on the situation. He went to Washington today, but expects to return tp» this city Thursday for conferences with Republican leaders of the state and city. “We don’t know what factions are,” Mr. Hays said after the dinner. “I never knew the meaning of the word. My method is political assimilation, not elimination. “We are all going to be Republicans. Our party troubles grew out of the management. I believe that the rights of individuals in the party should remain equally sacred and sacredly equal. Our troubles are all over. It makes no difference now how a man voted in 1912 or 1916. We have got work to do for our party and for our country now, and we are all needed.”

Chairman Hays called on Theodore Roosevelt at Roosevelt hospital and later visited Charles Evans Hughes at the Hughes office in Broadway. A statement issued by Hays after he had talked with Roosevelt nearly an hour was issued at the hospital. It. read: “I came to call and pay my respects to Colonel Roosevelt. I wanted to discuss the war with him and certain social and economic questions in which the colonel is interested.”

Mr. Hays said he would also call on Mr. Taft. In discussing his conference last night with the Republican national chairmen, Mr. Hays today said the visit had resulted in much that would be of ■■ benefit to him in the future guidance of the party’s policy. He said there was nothing of an official nature to announce at this time other than that the Republican organization would be conducted along “safe and sane” lines. “It is my intention to see every one—Penrose, Smoot and Johnson—and endeavor to bring about an understanding among the leaders of the Republican party,” continued Mr. Hays. “I expect to return to New York Friday, and at that time I will use my best efforts to have the leaders in the party consult with me.”