moving to the right. Conservatives in the party did not think they were doing so fast

enough.

 The most vocal rebellion against Gabrielson's leadership came from

Summerfield and Coleman. Summerfield questioned the Chairman's methods and

activity, and thought that Gabrielson was sitting on his hands and missing a number of

opportunities to criticize the Democratic Party. In mid-March, Coleman contacted the

chairmen of the RSCC and the RNCC to determine the feasibility of opening a

strategy committee office in Washington to coordinate the 1950 campaign without

input Gabrielson.85 Gabrielson, well aware of Summerfield and Coleman's activities,

fought back. In May, Gabrielson decided to abolish all standing committees of the

RNC and restructure the party organization to suit his liking. On 10 July, Gabrielson

informed Summerfield that the RNC executive committee had decided to let all

standing committees "die on the vine." Gabrielson would not abolish the groups, but

would not appoint any new members or solicit their advice. Summerfield expressed

regret, but pledged to inform the strategy committee that it would no longer function

as an active entity.86

 On the same day, Summerfield resigned as chairman of the RSC and issued a

letter to all RNC members expressing concern over Gabrielson's leadership. Public

repudiation of the RNC chairman, while irregular, was not unheard of. In this case it

further polarized the party and made underlying divisions even starker. The Dewey

faction favored Summerfield's position due to its anti-Taft and anti-Gabrielson stance.

Governor Arthur Langlie of Washington, a Dewey supporter in 1948, expressed doubt

85 Thomas E. Coleman, Letter to Arthur Summerfield, 17 March 1950, Copy in Folder (Thomas E.
Coleman), Box 7, Summerfield II Papers.
86 Arthur Summerfield and Guy Gabrielson, Transcript of telephone conversation, 10 July 1950. Copy
in Folder (Republican National Strategy Committee Summerfield Resignation as Acting Chairman
and Letters pertaining to the Same (1), Box 6, Summerfield Papers.