Fergus County Democrat

NEW YORK MAN WILL HEAD THE COMMITTEE

NORMAN E. MACK CHOSEN CHAIRMAN BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

Chicago, July 25.--Chairman, Norman E. Mack, Buffalo, N. Y., vice chairman, L. P. Hall, Nebraska; treasurer, Governor N. C. Haskell, Oklahoma; sergeant at arms, John I. Martin, Missouri; secretary, Urey Woodson, Kentucky.

After a seven hour conference with Wm. J. Bryan and John W. Kern, the subcommittee of the national democratic committee today made its selection of the officers of the committee. It was the first time in many years that a national chairman had been selected by the democratic party only after a bitter contest had been waged.

The choice of Mr. Mack was made possible only after the New York leaders, Chas. E. Murphy, of Tammany, and W. J. Connors, chairman of the state democratic committee, had yielded to the personal desires of Mr. Bryan.

When the democratic nominee for president reached here today he was strongly in favor of Mr. Mack for the place, but Mr. Bryan frankly told the committee that he wished them to consider all candidates and make an appointment accordingly. There were in the race besides Mr. Mack, Judge M. J. Ware, of Iowa; T. E. Ryan, of Wisconsin, former Gov. James E. Campbell, of Ohio, and Urey Woodson.

The sentiment for Mr. Mack, however, steadily grew, but he was confronted with a handicap which had to be removed.

The well known opposition of Messrs. Murphy and Conners toward him because of his rivalry with Mr. Connors for the control of Erie county, New York, stood in the way. The long distance telephone was put into play and Mr. Conners, after the situation in the committee was explained to him, declared that he would no longer interpose any objection; but that Mr. Murphy's views must first be obtained. The Tammany leader gave his approval, and with the atmosphere thus cleared, Mr. Mack was elected by acclamation. So pleased was Mr. Bryan that he gave out a statement which follows:

"The action of the committee in its selection of officers," said he, "is very satisfactory. Mr. Mack is a member of the committee, and it has been hoped all the time that the chairman should be taken from the committee unless there was some weighty reason for going outside, and no such reason appeared. Mr. Mack's appointment is a recognition of the eastern democracy and an announcement that we expect to fight for New York. He is in harmony with our platform, and I can say of him personally that he has been a close and trusted friend in my two former campaigns."

One of the strongest arguments in his favor was that he is a great business man. Beginning at the bottom of the ladder he has built up a business that amounts to more than a half million dollars a year, and the executive ability that he has shown in his work commends him to the committee that made the selection.

Norman E. Mack was very much gratified over his appointment, and particularly at the withdrawal of the opposition of Messrs. Murphy and Conners. A member of the committee declared that their action meant complete harmony among the democrats of New York state. Mr. Mack, when asked for a statement, said:

"The selection came unsolicited, and I am thankful for the confidence reposed in me. We will open the headquarters in Chicago as soon as possible, and branch headquarters in New York city. The plan at present is for a systematic campaign and to push the fight in every state."

The committee took a recess until tonight. Mr. Bryan announced that he would be present and participate in their councils. At the evening session of the subcommittee, Henry Watterson, of Louisville, was selected chairman of a new committee which will be charged largely with the publicity problems of the campaign.

The body which Colonel Watterson will head will be known as the "newspaper committee," its membership being drawn from the publishers of all metropolitan newspapers in the country who support Mr. Bryan's candidacy. The exact membership of this committee will be announced from Buffalo after Colonel Watterson has had an opportunity to confer with Norman Mack. The executive committee of the national committee will also be announced from that city, action to that effect being taken just before the adjournment of the subcommittee tonight.