The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-12-28
SPEAKER FIGHT
DOWN TO Three
NeSbitt, Hodges and WaIdrep
Seem the FavoriteS,
LABOR OPPOSES FORMER
Unions Battling Against Pitts
burg County Candidate,

Supporters Of ali candidates for
speaker of the house OF representatives
were putting forth feverish efforts this
morning to line up their forces sufii-
GENTLY strong to justify issuing a call
for a general house democratic caucus
for organization. ,
The contes, has apparently narrowed
down among Paul Nesbitt OF MeAlester.
Bert Hodges Of Okn'ulgcc and Tom |.
Waldrep OF Shawnee, each oi whom
shows considerable strength,
Call May Come Soon.
By this afternoon or tonight the trad
ing and elimination process IS expect
ed TO begin and this will likely be toll
lowed by issuing a call IN the name o'
the candidate who appears to have de-
veloped the greatest strength,
Altogether there are seven candidates
for the speakership, the other four be
ING Everett pctry of Jefferson coun-
ty. T. +. Hensley OF Canadian county,
X. l.. Disney of Muskoeec and Robert
Wimbish of Ada W,mbish who an.
nounced some time ago>that he would
seek the honor on a straight-out anti
administration platform. appears TO
have dropped from tho race.
Labor in Fight.
The only outside forces taking part
in the speakership fight, so lar as sur p
lace indications show, is organized Ia
bor which is opposing Nesbi,t lie is
regarded by labor as unfair because
of his attitude in previous legislatures
toward legislation affecting labor, par
,icularly his efforts to secure passage
Of the convict coal mining bill in tho
last session.
"All we want is man that IL fan
We do not want Nesbitt." said labor
official this morning He admitted the
activity Of labor organizations against
the McAlcs,er mans candidacy.
Durant for Nesbitt.
W. A. Duran, oi BRYAN county vet
Gran legislator and recognized as the
democratic whip" in the house is Mes
bits chief lieutenant
Eugene Kerr OF Muskoace, editor
of the Muskogee Times. s.Democrat and
a member OF the sthate iNm Musko'
gee county is actively identified with
Hodges campaign
Apparently little interest is being
taken in the organization OF the ser
ate. the interest in the speakcrshir
fsh, increasing and ovcrshadowinp
everything else with the arrival in the
civ of members of the legislature.
The fair and warm weather today
had the tendency o' putting down talk
OF no, meeting in the new capitol and
plans were going forward Tor holding
the session there. Advocates Of the
plan oi meeting and adiourning until
summer no longer hold out hope OF
carrying il out,
Service Extension Undecided.
Up to this afternoon the Oklahoma
Railway company had no, decided upon
what IL would DO with reference 10 eN-
tending street car service 10 the capitol
for the meeting oi the legislature, ac-
cording to John W. Sharel, vice presi-
dent and general manager OF the com
pany.
Mr. Shartel conferred this morning
with Governor Williams on the PROPOSE
ton. Before the conference he stated
that the plated restrictions OF streets
and lands near the capitol prohibited
the construction OF a street car line to
the building, and for that reason work
had no, been started on the line
II the restrictions are overcome Il car
be completed and ready for use by
Tuesday, ii was said by Mr., Shartel
Job Seekers Active.
Hotel lobbies are filled with appli.
can,s for minor positions and they are
equally as active as speaker candi-
dates Many who served IN former
legislatures are again seeking favor
Members Of previous assemble. arc
in the city "just watching" from the
outside the pre- organization maneuyers
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