Arizona republican., 1916-12-28
SPEAkERSH|P IF HOUSE MUCH
 UP IN THE AIR
TRepubIican A. p. Leased w,rel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Revised figures On returns of the last cleo ton show definitely that neither Dem ocrats or Republicans will have q majority of the next house, necessary to elect a speaker and that a hand ful of Independents will determine which siqe will control the organiza- tion.
 Conceding seats to candidates in possession of certificates of election because they are certain to participate in the crganiZa tion of the house the personnel now stands:
 Republicans, 214; Democrats, 213; independents, ?: Progressives ?; Pro- hibitionists l; Socialist, l; contested 7. A majority is 21S, hence, shoul either Democrats or Republicans win both of the contests, they will stil be short of a majority.
 All of the independents are main taining strict silence regarding their attitude on the speakership but the democratic and republican leaders agreed on how most of them will vote. providing caucuses are held anti solidarity maintained by the two old parties
 Kelly or Pennsylvania, a Progress sive who formerly was a democfatic member of the house is listed as a |
 So are Randall. Prohibitionist of California, who voted for Speaker Clark the last time, and London ol New York, Socialist. sits on the dem ocrattc side now and has been shown favors by democratic leaders
 Shall of Minnesota. Progressive, the leaders agree, probably would lean toward republican candidate if con- vlnced of his progression. He cam pal9ned for the national republican ticket during the last campaign, all though opposed by the regular orga- nization in his state. Fuller. Independ- ent of Massachusetts. also is classed as republican hope.
 Martin, of Louisiana, Progressive. comes from a large sugar district of Louisiana, and has indicated that as suraace of protection of the sugar interest would be his first concern in voting on the organization. He for merly was Democrat. however and democratic leaders hope to get his vote.
 Contests in which certificates have not been issued are on in the thirty second Pennsylvania district where Representative Barchfield. Republican. Is contesting the election of Guy E campbell, Democrat, who on the face of returns won by 46 votes and the third New Jersey district where Rep resentative ScuIly, Democrat, is op- posing the election of Robert Carson RepuDlican. Scuily now IS reported to nave lead cf l25 votes on the re- count but there still are about 30OC votes to be passed upon by the courts At least twenty seats, it is said, win be contested Tn the house after II Is organized.
 Should the Republicans seat boti of their contestants and hold other memberships solid for their can. l. date, they would need only two in si> votes 10 win the speaker ship. whiIs the Democrats would neee i've. Or the other hand, should the Democrat. win the contested seats, the kepub. licans would need four in six vole. while tne Democrats could wln witf three votes.
 There Is no question about tn; Democrats voting soidly for Speake Clark but there are some signs Q strife among the Republicans Repre- sentative Gardner already has an nounced his opposition to Represent atiye Mann. Every effort will be mad by leaders, however. to have the soli, support of Republicans assured II conference before voting starts. .
 Representative Gardner. who an nounced yesterday that he would seel to obtain republican conference l. formulate policies for the futrr activity of the party in the house did not visit the capitol today. AIr Mann was there, however, and to night he expressed the view that tn Republicans would stand united a least in the organization of the house
 T have nothing to say about tn speakership matter or the Gardne episode" he said, except that 1 stil hope that the president through som way in Gods providence may aid il bringing about peace which will b. lasting and permanent ard provid for disarmament and the removal O the heavy burdens of military an, naval preparedness and if l can il the slightest degree assist to brinj about such a result I would rather d. that than to be speaker.
 'The charge of Mir. Gardner that am for Prussia and Prussiansm is 0 course utterly untrue. I am for Amer ica first, last and all the time and d. not take sides in the European wal In MT. Gardner's opinion that is m, offense
 T suppose it is inevitable that il the present situation in regard to tn political situation Of the house ever. man who gets 2 grouch will be tempt ed to blrster around and say that h. will not play unless he can have hi own way. That is always one of tn results of a very narrow margin O votes But in the erd l think the Re publicans will have the good sense C all get together and act as a unite, party at least ir the organization O the house.
 Representative Lenroot of Wisconsin whom Gardner says he will suppor on the situation.