Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1918 — WILL FAVOR WAR PLATFORM [ARTICLE]

WILL FAVOR WAR PLATFORM

HAYS CONFERS WITH INDIANA DELEGATION AT CAPITAL RELATIVE TO ELECTION. f • ■ Q Washington, May 10.—The subject of the platform to be adopted by Indiana Republicans at their state convention at Indianapolis, May 28 and 29, was given consideration yesterday at a conference of National Chairman Will H. Hays with the Indiana, Republican members of Congress. Republican leaders in Washington have no disposition to dictate the platform to be adopted by the convention, but, as members of the war Congress and as candidates for re-elec-tion, the nine republican representatives are vitally interested in the platform declarations. . Those attendnig the Indiana conference held in the office of Senator Watson, were unanimous in declaring for the most vigorous prosecution of . the war possible and in favor of peace only by victory on the battlefield rather than by compromising bargaining. Another thought dominating the conference was that Republicans favor an early consideration of the question of the business and industrial adjustment that must come with the closing of the war. National' Chairman Hays has sounded this doctrine from coast to coast and it seems to represent Republican thought everywhere. The platform declarations of the Indiana Republicans this year are expected to attract wide attention because the Indiana convention will be among the first to be held. Because of the war it is expected that the national question pertaining to the war rather than any state question, will dominate the state platform. The understanding here is that the tentative program for state convention will offer four oratorical headliners—Governor Goodrich, Senators New and Watson and National Chairman Hays. The plan now discussed provides for Governor Goodrich acting as temporary chairman and delivering the keynote address and for Senator New to act as permanent chairman and preside over the convention. Mr. Hays, as retiring state chairman, would call the convention to order and he will speak then or at some other hour at the convention. Senator Watson; while not an officer of the convention, will be a speaker. It is expected that he and the Governor will make the principal addresses. Senator Watson has been chairman of three state conventions, but this will be the first time that either Governor Goodrich or Senator New has had that honor. Chairman Hays came down from New York yesterday and will remain until tomorrow, when he will depart for home. Besides meeting the Indiana delegation he called on Senator Fall of New Mexico and Senator Warren of Wyoming. Having recently visited both New M'exico and Wyoming, Mr. Hays had first-handed information of present political conditions in those states and the two senator welcomed an opportunity to learn from him the impressions he had gamed. Senator Warren was especially interested in a report from Mr. Hays, since he is to depart for home tomorrow to begin a campaign for reelection. Mr. Hays had dinner this evening with Representative Medill McCormick of Illinois. While he is making no attempt to influence legislation, Mr. Hays does not hesitate to declare strongly in favor Of suffrage by Federal amendment.