Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-18

prospect for three hours had failed.
Negotiations. however. continued out
side Of the conference room.
Meanwhile the torrent of debate went
on unchecked on the floor, one speaker
after another denouncing or defending
the war on the rules. No armistice was
in sight.
At the meeting. which was held in the
ways and means committee room, was
debated the question of compromise,
which had been submitted by the lnsur-
gents to the regulars in the nature OF an
ultimatum.
Their proposition was to the effect that
the House proceed to elect q House rules
committee Of either ten or fifteen mem
bers on which all factions were to have
representation, each side to elect its own
/ representation on the committee. The
Speaker was to be denied a place thereon.
Regulars Unwilling to Agree.
The first conference occurred between
Messrs. Gardner, Hayes. Norris and Len
root for the insurgents and Representa-
tives Champ Clark and Underwood for
the democrats. 1t was agreed between
them that the proposition was satisfac-
tory.
Immediately afterward followed a
lengthy conference between the insurgent
leaders and Representatives. DalZell and
Smith Of the regulars committee.
No definite conclusion was reached.
The men finally left the room worn. bag
gard and almost exhausted. 1t was UNI
derstood that Messrs. Smith and Dalzell
declined to accede to the proposition sub
mitted but wished to confer further with
the leaders on that side Of the House be-
fore finally refusing.
One Of the insurgent conferees stated
that the end was not Immediately in sight.
There was no prospect whatever OF either
an adjournment or recess, he said.
Democrats Scent Victory.
From the democratic side came the pos
tive declaration that the regulars were
defeated and that 1t was merely a ques-
ton now of how and when.
From the leader who made this state
ment it was learned that the insurgents
were disposed to dictate the terms, but
were willing to allow the regulars an easy
way out If they chose to take it. 1t was
claimed that a certain majority was in
sight for the Norris resolution, whenever
the Speaker rules, If he does rule.
From one of the most intimate friends
of the Speaker came the somewhat start
ling statement that If the Norris resolu-
ton was passed Speaker Cannon would
resign and that the regulars would vote
with the democrats for the election of
Champ Clark as Speaker. rather than side
with the insurgents for the selection of
one of their choosing. This startling
statement was denied by other friends of
the Speaker
Every hour of the day added to the
great WEAKNESS of the members who
have been in the thick of the combat
for twenty,four consecutive hours. De-
lection waS written on the faces of
many of the regular republican leaders.
and it was plain that they believed
they were in hopeless and permanent
minority in the House and at best were
only prolonging inevitable dethrone-
ment.
Representative DalzelI was frequently
besieged by republican members to al
low a vote on a recess. He declined to
consent or consider the matter so LONG
as the negotiations were continuing
with the insurgents as to a possible
compromise.
No Basis of Agreement.
The democrats and insurgents were
positive that they could prevent either
an adjournment or recess. After tho
members of the tri-party conference
returned to the floor numerous side
conferences followed. but it was appar-
ent that no basis of agreement was
near at hand.
Tho hurry calls sent out by the repub-
lican and democratic whips resulted in q
good many additions to the attendance In
the House today. Seventeen members