Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-14
CONTROL 0F'THE HOUSE
MAY PASS TO c. 0. P.
Republicans Now Seem to
Have Majority of Two or
Three Congressman

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-Members
of the house of representatives in the
newly elected sixty-fifth congress face
one of the most uncertain organization
situations in the history of the govern
ment.
With a few districts still in doubt
the Republicans appear TO have a plu-
rality of four or five members and a
possible majority of two or three when
it is figured that an Independent elect
ed in Massachusetts and a Progressive
elected in Minnesota probably will vote
with them for organization purposes.
Independence of action has character
lied a number of the reelected men,
bers of the Republican side, however.
and their attitude toward Democratic
legislation in the last few years has
given Democratic leaders cause for
hope that some of them might carry
their independence into the organization
of the next house.
On the face of the unofficial returns
the political division OF the house is
so close that an effective and certain
working majority does not exist. While
there might be a few changes when the
official returns are counted, the chances
are that these would not materially al
ter the general result.
EXTRA SESSION UNLIKELY.
In view of the situation, it is re-
garded by Democratic leaders as inn
probable that President Wilson will
call an extra session of the new con-
gress next spring. In that case sthe
organization fight will not come until
the regular session in December. 1917,
which will mean maneuvering for more
than a year in the contest for the
speakership of the house and the or
ganization of important committees.
AS matters stand today the candidate
of the Republicans for speaker will be
James r. Mann, the present minority
leader. and Speaker Clark generally is
regarded as the Democratic choice to
succeed himself. Already, however.
there are rumblings of uncertainties be-
cause of the close political division. On
the Republican side there are reports
of disaffection against the minority.
leader as a candidate for speaker on
the part of several members who, il
is suggested. might vote for Clark in
stead. Consequently there is gossip
among some Republicans regarding the
advisability Of naming another man as
candidate for speaker if one can he
found upon whom the Republican MEM
bership would unite.
CLARK MAY NOT RUN.
There are certain to be some inter-
esting and lively party conferences on
both sides before any organization
tickets are finally launched. AS the
Democrats apparently will be in the
minority some of the friends of Champ
Clark are not certain that he will be
candidate to succeed himself. In
less he can be elected speaker they pre-
fer that he abandon the race and be-
come q candidate for minority leader,
the post he held for many years be-
fore the Democratic ascendancy in 1910.
Such a development might precipitate
a lively contest within the Democratic
ranks. with Claude Kitchin, the pres
ent majority 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 GER
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