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Show ORGANIZATION OP LOIR HOUSE IS UNCERTAIN Plans of Party Leaders So Far Without Definite Result; Re-sult; Bi-partisan Control Is Not Improbable. WASHINGTON, March 12. Despite manv conferences for working out Democratic, Demo-cratic, Republican or bi-partisan control of the Incoming house of representatives, there are few signs that the plans of either of the big- parties or of the little group of independents will take definite form until within a few days of the special spe-cial session, April 16. Most tf the memberB have left the capital capi-tal with the impression that the lines for the organization fi&lU cannot be drawn now because of the shifting of strength dueto deaths and the uncertainties surrounding sur-rounding plans for special elections to fill the vacancies. Republican Leader Mann, who will be his party's candidate for speaker, departed tonight after announcing an-nouncing that he would not favor any trading for Republican control and predicting pre-dicting that bi-partisan organization was "not improbable." The fluctuating standings of the parties presented the prospect tonight that the Democrats will have 215 votes and the Republicans 214 when the special session convenes. It will require 218 to elect a speaker. The five so-called independents holding the balance of power have been unable so far to agree on a concerted course, but they will meet again just before the beginning of the session. Democratic Advantage. In order to keep their strength up to 215 the Democrats will have to elect a Democrat in the Fifteenth New York district, where a special election is to be held April 12 to choose a successor to the late Representative Conry. It generally gen-erally is conceded, however, that the strong Tammary element there will have no difficulty in returning a Democratic majority. The hopes of Republicans that a Republican might be elected in New Hampshire to succeed the late Representative Represent-ative Sullo way, bringing the Republican total up to 215, disappeared today when it was discovered the state statute would not permit an election before April 16. During the day Representative Mann telegraphed the governors of New York and New Hampshire, urging that special elections in the Conry and Sulioway districts dis-tricts be called as quickly as possible. When he left tonight, the Republican leader said he was going to take a good rest, but would be back in ample time for the extra session. Against Trading. "The house organization," said ' Mr. Mann, "is not a matter of trading. It should not be a case of figuring on some partisan advantages. I do not purpose to have it said, if I can prevent it, that the Republicans have adopted anything in the nature of sharp practice in order to elect me speaker. "It is not improbable that there will be a bi-partisan organization of the house, but I do not think it is possible to determine deter-mine whether there will be one until there shall have been a test of strength and both sides have had a vote on the subject of organization. In view of the i international complications and the fact I that neither party will have a majority in the house, there necessarily will have ! to be some bi-partisan understanding in i the house after organization is effected, 1 if not before it is effected. It would be ! ridiculous to suppose that such a body j of men in matters of important legislation would permit themselves to be controlled by the mere whim or caprice of a few men who call themselves Independents." Mr. Mann added that it is possible, though not altogether probable, that congress con-gress might end its extra session in two weeks. .Speaker Clark said tonight, however, how-ever, that he thought the chances favored a session of about six weeks and was convinced that the stay of congress would be either short or very long. "We will be in session either six weeks or till August, come a year." the speaker sa.id. |
