The Prescott daily news., 1916-11-13
REPUBLICANS MAY
 CONTROL THE HOUSE
Small Plurality and Perhaps a
 Small Majority Now is Indi-
 cated-Champ Clark May Not
 be Candidate for Speakership.

Washington, Nov. 12.-Members of the House of Representative in the newly elected sixty-ffth Congress face one of the most uncertain organi- zation situations in the history of the government.
 With a few districts still in doubt the Republicans appear to have plurality of four or five members, and possible majority of two or three when it is figured that an Independent elected in Massachusetts and a Pro- gressive elected in Minnesota prob ably will vote them for organization purposes. Independence of action has characterized a number of the re- elected members on the Republican side, however, and their attitude to- ward Democratic legislation in the last few years has given Democratic leaders cause for hope that some of them may 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 will not materially alter the general result. In view of the situation, it is regarded by Democratic leaders as improbable that President Wilson will call an extra session of the new Congress next spring. In that case the organi- zation fight will not come until the Irregular session in December, 1917, which will mean maneuvering for more than a year in the contest for speakership of the house and the or ganization of important committees.
 Clark May Not Be Candidate. As matters stand today the candi- date of the Republicans for speaker will be James R. Mann, the present minority leader, and Speaker Clark generally is regarded as the Demo- cratic choice to succeed himself. AL ready, however, there are rumblings of uncertainties because of the close political division. On the Republican side there are reports of dissatisfac- tions against the minority leaders and candidates for speaker, on the part of members who, it is suggested, might vote for Clark instead. Consequently, there is gossip among some Republi- cans regarding the advisability of naming another man as candidate for speaker if one can be found upon whom the Republican membership could unite.
 As the Democrats apparently will be in the minority, some of the friends of Champ Clark are not certain that he will be a candidate to succeed him self. Unless he can be elected speaker they prefer that he abandon the race and become a candidate for minority leader, the post he held for amny years before the Democratic ascend ency in 1912.
 Such a development might precipi- tate a lively contest within the Demo- cratic ranks with Claude Kitchin, the present minority leader, and Speaker Clark as rival candidates for the min ority leadership.
 The Congressional result in New Mexico is doubtful, the chances now favoring the Democrats. In Pennsyl- vania there are two districts, and pos sibly three, where the soldier vote, when counted, may change the re- suits. In two of these Republicans and in one a Democrat have been elected by small majorities on the face of the returns thus far reported. In the Tenth North Carolina district, Britt. Republican. is claiming the election over Weaver, Democrat, by 13 majority.
 Whatever happens Republicans can not control legislation in the next Congress because the new Senate will be Democratic by safe working ma iority of 12. In this situation little partisan legislation can be looked for during the first part of the new Will son administration. Because of this administration leaders will exert ev- cry possible effort to complete the Democratic executive program before NTorcb i