The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-27

Republicans, 214 democrats, 213; in- dependents, 2; progressives, 2; prohi- bitionist 1; socialist. 1; contested, 2. A majority is 21S; hence should either democrats or republicans win both of the contests they still would be short of majority.
 INDEPENDENTS ARE SILENT
 All of the independents are maintain ing strict silence regarding their at titude on the speakership. but the dem ocratic and republican leaders are agreed on how most of them will vote, provided caucuses are held and solid arity maintained by the two parties.
 Kelly of Pennsylvania, a progressive who formerly was a member of the House, is listed as a democratic prob- ability. so is Randall, prohibitionist of California, who voted for Speaker Clark the last time and London of New York, socialist, sits on the democratic side now and has been shown favors by democratic leaders.
 SCHALL LEANS OTHER WAY
 Schall of Minnesota, progressive, the leaders agree, probably would lean to- ward a republican candidate if con- vinced of is progressiveism. He cam paigned for the national republican ticket during the last campaign, all though opposed by the regular organ Eization in his; state. Fuller. independ- ent of Massachusetts, also is classed as a republican hope
 Martin of Louisiana, progressive, comes from a large sugar district in Louisiana and has indicated that as- surance of protection of the sugar in terests will be his first concern on voting on the organization. He former fly was democrat however, and dem ocratic leaders hope to get his vote. At the same time republicans think he can be convinced that their party is the only one which has his sugar in- terests at heart.
 MANY CONTESTS
 Contests in which certificates have not been issued are on in the Thirty Second Pennsylvania district, where Representative Barchfield, republican, is contesting the election of Guy E..
 
 of the returns won by 46 votes, and the Third New Jersey district, where Representative Scully, democrat, is op- posing the election of Robert Carson, republican. is now reported to have a lead of 125 votes on the recount but there are still about 5000 votes to be passed upon by the courts. At least to it ;s xxriI ho tad in the House after it is organized.
 Should the republicans seat both of their contestants and hold their mem bership solid for their candidate, they would need only two independent votes to win the speakership, while the dem ocrats would need five. On the other hand, should the democrats win the contested seats. the republicans would need four independent votes while the democrats could win with three votes.
 MANN IS OPPOSED
 There is no position about the dem ocrats voting solidly for MT. Clark. Representative Gardner already has tative Mann. Every effort will be made by leaders, however, to have the solid support of republicans before voting starts.
 MT. Mann tonight expressed the view that the republicans would stand united at least in the organization of the House.
 speakership matter of the Gardner episode" he said, except that I still hope that the President in some way through Gods providence may have aid in bringing about a peace which shall be lasting and permanent and provide for disarmament and removal of the heavy burdens of military and naval est degree assist to bring about such a result I would rather do that than to be speaker.
 "The charge of MT. Gardner that I am for Prussia and Prussianism is of course utterly untrue. I am for Ameri- ca first, last and all the time, and do not take sides in the European war. In MT. Gardner's opinion that is an of fense.
 q suppose it is inevitable that in the present situation in regard to polit- teal control of the House every man who gets a grouch will be tempted to buster around and say that he will not play unless he can have his own way. But in the end think the re- publicans will have the good sense to all get together and act as an united party at least in the organization of the House."
 Representative Lenroot of Wisconsin,