Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-10
WOMEN MAY HAVE SEATS

The balance Of power in the next National
House Of Representatives will actually rest
with nve Representatives affiliated with
neither the Democratic nor the Republicans,
on the face Of returns available today
The Republicans made such gains in the
election Tuesday that the Democratic ma
iorlty IN the House is out to the point where
even the speakershIp may be affected.
Present returns Indicate that the Repub-
licans will have two more Representatives
than the Democrats The success or fall
ure Of proposed legislation will. therefore,
rest with the votes OF Socialist, a Prohbi-
ZIONIST with Democratic leanlngs, n Pro-
tcctlonlst Democrat, an Independent and
n Progressive.
In addition. n woman and possibly two
women may sit IN tho House for the first
time In history. Miss Jeanette Rankin
Republican of Montana, on latest returns
is apparently elected over Harry u. Mitch
ell. Republican.
The second woman Is Mrs Frances C.
ANtell, Democrat, who threatens to over
come the small lead OF Congressman Had
ley In the I'd district.
Following is the classification of the next
House, based on returns gathered up TO
this afternoon:
BoT,aSIs,T BBeBusilc@ns .... 9ie Independents
The present House Is as follows:
s%SSis RsRaSiis%s | fS fiSs ss@SfShae'1! soeisiias 49,
II Mr.. Axtell wins the Republicans and
the Democrats will be tied with 215 seats
each.
A majority In the House Is 21s. II takes
that many votes therefore. to elect n speak
er and to enact legislation. Either big
party, therefore. must get the good will OF
three Of the Ave men aligned with smaller
parties, before II can do business in it's
nd oil tnd
pendents may be no more question marks
than will the first woman In the world" &c
be seated at Washington. Miss Rankin was
chosen on n Republican ticket but Demo-
Gratis point out that "shes woman, never
theless."
The five men who, on present appear
ances, will be the balance OF power-or "the
Balkans Of the House" as IL was said here
today--are:
c. H. Randall. Prohibitionist, California (;
w. p Martin, Protectionist, Democrat
Louisiana: Meyer London Socialist, New
York. Thomas " Schall, Progressive Min
nesota. and A. ]. Fuller. Independent, Mas
sachusetts.
Randall has had rather hybrid political
career. He has been a Republican, a Pro-
gressive and n Democrat. He ran on the
Prohibition ticket Tuesday with the Demo-
cratic Endorsement.
Martin is the first man not a regular
Democrat to be elected in Louisiana in rs
years, He is described as basically Demo-
crat with strong dash of protection.
Meyer London had bitter fight and was
reelected by less than 200 votes. He has
so far consistently kept away from any
show Of favorltism to Republicans or DEM
ocrats.
Schall IL an "unreconstructed rebel" as
the dyed-in-the-wool, refuse -to-die Progress
sives call themselves. He can be counted
on TO favor only the party that puts up
what he thinks is the most progressive leg
islation and the best man for speaker.
Fuller is said to have grown his inde-
pendent faith from the political emanatIons
OF former Democratic Governor Foss, Of
Massachusetts,, who has frequently hoped
from Republican 10 Democratic sides
Complete returns from all States which
elected Senators Tuesday Indicate that the
Senate will stand:
Democrats. ffty-four.
Republicans, forty-two.
Total membership. ninety-six
Democratic majority. twelve.