Evening journal., 1916-12-28
NO PARTY Holds
House control
Latest Canvass Shows In
dependents Have the
Balance OF Power
MANN ANSWERS
GARDENERS ATTACK

WASHINGTON, Dec 2s.-Revised
figures on returns OF the last election
show definitely that neither Demo-
Gratis nor Republicans viii have a ma
iOrity OF the next House necessary to
elect q Speaker. and that handful Of
independents will determine which
side will control the organization.
Conceding seats to candidates in
possession of certificates OF election,
because they are certain to partici-
pate IN the organization Of the House,
the personnel now stands: Republic
cans, PA; Democrats, 2l3; independ-
ents, Q; Progressives, .; Prohibitions
lists. 1 Socialists. ! contested .. A
majority is 21S. Hence, should either
Democrats or Republicans win both
of the contests. they still would be
short Of a majority.
All OF tho Independents arc main
tanning strict silence regarding their
attitude on the Speakership, but the
Democratic and Republican leaders
are agreed on how most Of them will
vote. provided caucuses are held and
solidarity maintained by the two old
parties.
Kelly of Pennsylvania, Progress
siye, who formerly was a Democratic
member of the House. is listed as a
( Democratic probability So are Ran
[ dali. Prohibtionist Of California, who
voted for Speaker Clark the last
| time and London. of New York, So
| cialist, sits on the Democratic side
now and has been shown favors by
/ Democratic leaders.
Two Republican Hopes.
Schall, Of Minnesota, Progressive.
/ the leaders agree. probably would
! lean toward a Republican candidate
/ if convinced of his progressivism
/ He campaigned for the national Re
/ publican ticket during the last cam
paign. although opposed by the regu-
lar organization in his State. Fuller,
I independent, of Massachusetts. also
! is classed as a Republican hope.
Martin, Of Louisiana, Progressive,
comes from a large sugar district in
J Louisiana. and has indicated that as
surance of protection OF the sugar in
terests will be his first concern in
voting on the organization. He for
/ merly was Democrat, however, and
Democratic 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 interests at heart.
Contests in which certificates have
not been issued are on the 32d Penn
sylvania district. where Representa-
tive Barchfield, Republican, is contest
ing the election OF Guy e. Campbell
Democrat. who on the face of the re
turns. won by 40 votes. and the Sd New
Jersey district, where Representative
Scully, Democrat, IS opposing the cleo
ton of Robert Carson, Republican.
scully now is reported to have Leaf
OF 1876 votes on the recount, but there
still are about 5000 votes to be passed
upon by the courts Al least twent!
seats. it is said, will be contested il
the House, after it has organized.
independents Hold Balance.
Should the Republicans seat both o
their contestants and hold their mem
bership solid for their candidate the!
would need only two independent vote
10 win the speakership, while tn
Democrats would need five. On tn
other hand, should the Democrats vii
the contested seats. the Republican
would need four Independent votes
while the Democrats could win wit
three votes
There is no question about the Dem
ocrats voting solidly for Speake
Clark, but there are some signs o
strife among the Republicans. Repre-
sentative Gardner already has an
nounced his opposition to Representa-
tive Mann.