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Show HAYS LUNCHES WITH Declares Conference Indicated Indi-cated Knitting of Republicans Republi-cans Into Unanimity. NEW YORK, March 1. Prominent Republicans were told today by Will H-Hays, H-Hays, new chairman of the Republican national committee, at a luncheon ten- 1 dered by William R. Willcox, forme' chairman, that all efforts must be centered cen-tered upon the prosecution of the war. Chairman Hays further declared thn t ; his efforts would be to hnrmorr-." nt vn publican groups In support of the 1918 congressional elections and the l9-'0 presidential presi-dential election. He said he did noi know the meaning of factions known as "Hull Moose," "Old Guard Republicans," "Progressives" or "Reactionaries." Prior to ; lie luncheon Chairman Hays met Senator Johnson; of California, who i was unable to attend the gathering, and i af I or an hour's talk an noun fed that he had enjoyed a "most delightful visit. " Mr. Mays said the conference Indicated "a further knitting of all Republicans and complete unanimity in sreat work to be done for the country. We are all needed. need-ed. The enthusiasm I have encountered is simply wo n d e r f u 1 . " Mr. Mays wa-s quoted as saying t ha t !t was the function of the national committee com-mittee to obtain the election, not the nomination, of a candidate. He expressed con I id e nee that all the old lines of division divi-sion in the party had been wipf-d out and controversies forgotten by a "united Republicanism." ! Georire yv. Perkins said there was no discussion of plans fur 3!cjo and that , everyone seemed to be atrreeably im- i pressed with Mr. Hays's "personality, I en'-rcy and noun til ess enthusiasm." There were thirty-one present at the j luncheon, including three Democrats, four ' , who have been Proprressi vrs and one described de-scribed as an independent. The list Included In-cluded , Governor James A. Good rich of Indiana, Senator William IT. Calder of New York, T. Coleman du Pont, Frank H. Hitchcock, Frank A. Munsey, Jacob Sehlff, Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, and A. T. Hert and R. K. Uyncka of the national committee. |