South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-11-13
NEITHER PARTY
TO HAVE CONTROL
Independent Voters Expected
to Hold Power in 1917
Congress.

NEITHER
WASHINGTON. Nov. 13. - Mem
bers Of the house Of representatives
in the newly elected sixty-ffth con-
gress face one OF the most uncertain
organization situations in the his
tory Of the government.
With a few districts still in doubt,
the republicans appear 70 have "A
plurality Of four or FIVE members and
a possible majority Of two or three
when il is figured that an indepen-
dent elected in Massachusetts, and a
progressive elected in Minnesota
probably will vote with them for
organization purposes. Indepen-
dence of action has characterized a
number OF the reelected members
on the republican side. however. and
their attitude toward democratic
legislation i'm the last few years has
given democratic leaders cause for
hope that some Of them might carry
their independence into the organi-
zation of me next house.
No Real Majority.
on the face of the unofficial re-
house is so close that an effective
and certain working majority does
rot exist While there might be a
few changes when the official re
turns are counted the chances are
that these would not materially alter
the general result. In view Of this
situation, il is regarded by demo-
cratic leaders as improbable that
Pres't Wilson will call an extra ses-
sion Of the new congress next spring.
In that case the organization fight
will not come until the regular ses-
sion in December 1917, which will
mean maneuvers for more than
year in the contest for speakership
Of the house and the organization Of
important committees.
AS matters stand today. the can
didate of the republicans for speaker
will be James r. Mann. present
minority leader, and Speaker Clark
generally is regarded as the demo-
cratic choice TO succeed himself. Al
ready. however. there are rumblings
of uncertainties. because of the
close political division. on the re-
publican side, there are reports Of
Gisaffections against the minority
leader as a candidate for speaker
on the part Of several members who
it is suggested might vote for Clark
instead. Consequently. there is gOs-
sip among some republicans regard
ing the advisability OF naming an
ether man as candidate for speaker
e 4 =, IL,
republican membership could unite.
Expect Warm Conferences.
There are certain TO be some in
teresting and lively party confer
ences on both sides before any or
sanization tickets are finally launch
ed. it is assured. AS the democrats
apparently will be in the minority,
some of the friends OF Champ Clark
are not certain that he will be a
candidate TO succeed himself Tn
less he can be elected speaker they
prefer that he abandon the race and
become a candidate for minority
leader. the post he held for many
years before the democratic ascen-
cency in 1912. Such a de >lopment
might precipitate a lively contest
within the democratic ranks with
Claud Kitchen, the present major
ity leader and Speaker Clark as the
rival candidates for the minority
leadership.
There are many other possibilities
with the party division so close, and
until all the votes are counted and
certificates of election returned
there will be no definite steps taken
by either side.
Some States still Doubtful.
The congressional result in New
Mexico is doubtful. the chances now
favoring the democrats. In Penn
sylvania there are two districts and
possibly three. where the vote when
counted. may change the results. In
two Of these republicans and in one
democratic have been elected by
small maiorities on the face Of the
returns thus far reported. In the
tenth, North Carolina, Britt, a re-
publican. is claiming the election
over Weaver. democrat. by thirteen
majority.