Show REPUBLICAN CO > FEREXCE Mnpplnsr Out Plans for the Election Contests WASHINGTON Dee 16 There was a conference of Republican and Democratic leaders in the speakers room this afternoon after-noon to discuss the Republican plan for Increasing the number 06 commtitees to deal with election contests Mr Reed invited Messrs Dingley Dan iels Henderson C nnon Payne and Dal sell of the Republicans and Crisp Mc Millan and Bailey Democrats to the discussion cussion Tho Plan outlined by the Republicans Re-publicans was for three committees of nine members each six Republicans and three Democxats each committee to be divided into three subcommittees each composed of two Republicans and one Democrat While this plan would give the minority a smaller proportionate gve resentation than it has formerly had Mr Reed explained that the division was ren dered necessary by the scheme for subcommittees sub-committees With nine subcommittees each one would have three contests to consider a of the thirtyeight contests four have been practically abandoned by the failure of tfhe contestants t gather evidence and Mr McGann of Chicago ha conceded his seat to the Republican claimant Mr Belknap The Democrats were assured that the only object entertained enter-tained by the majority was to facilitate the disposal of the contests and establish the titles of the rightful claimants without with-out delay in the interests of justice and economy Mr Reed said that the Republican intention in-tention was to settle the cases strictly upon the legal evidence and in a judicial spirit Difference of opinion was developed among the Democrats Messrs Crisp and McMillan declined to assent to the proposition propo-sition and are understood to have held that the proper p an if a committee of the usual size could not hear all the evidence evi-dence would be to increase the number of committeemen emmtteemen llr Bailey took the stand that the Democrats ocrats were bound to accept the assurances assur-ances of their opponents that the minority minor-ity would be fairly treated and was disposed dis-posed to accede to th plan The other Democrats were inclined to the opinion that the scheme to unseat was one Democrats Demo-crats with greater facility No understanding was reached and it Was by coudtesy that the Democrats were consulted carry out their as the plan Republicans intend to |