The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-29
Detection of Mann Sup porter Seems to Make
 Clark's Reelection Sure
DEMOCRATS MAY NOT
 CONTROL COMMITTEES
Organization of Lower Body May Be in Hands of Working Majority of Republicans With Opposi-
 tion Man Presiding
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

By HUGH W. HObERTS
 Washington. December 2s.-(speciaIJ Augustus P. Gardner, Massachusetts progressive, by denouncing Republican Leader Mann for his alleged sympathy for President Wilson and Kaiser Will helm, has precipitated a condition fin Congress unexampIed and unprece- dented.
 Since the official figures indicate that MT. Bacon, republican, has won a Michigan district from Mr Beakes. demo- crat it is very probable that when the Sixty-fifth Congress is called to order. democratic members will number 214 and republican members, 214 A hand full of independents would thus be in abso- lute control of the situation. The defec- tion, however, of Gardner, and his stated determination to support Representative Lenroot of Wisconsin, for the speaker ship, means, unless plans go awry, the reelection of Champ Clark, irrespective of the political color of the House.
 And thus it may happen that MT Clark -~HANAN tees of which will have been organized by working majority of republicans
 BOLT FROM THE BLUE
 The action of Mir. Gardner came as a distinct surprise. It is true that the Massachusetts representative had ac- ouired reputation for doing the unex- pected. It was known that he was a stanch defender of the allies, that he was an ultrapreparedness advocate, and that he had aided in the congressional revolu- tion which displaced Uncle Joe" Cannon as the czar of the House. But that he would, in the crisis respecting the or ganization of the next House, assume and persist in such spectacular role. was a matter not dreamed of. It was thought probable-if, indeed, anyone thought of Gardner in this connection-that he would remain quiet and thus please his father-in-law, Henry Cabot Lodge, who is a faithful adherent to <ke standpat plat- form and oligarchy
 But Gardner broke loose. He de- clared Mann, as standpatter and as a lover of the Kaiser, absolutely impossible, and following his statement nominated Mir. Lenroot for the position of speaker While MT. Lenroot has said nothing, it is understood that he is a highly accept able humor.
 RIFT IN THE LUTE
 As heretofore reported, MT. Mann is re- garded as an individual who is without parallel in his ability in this moment, gloriousy to scale the heights and in the next, ghoulishly to wallow in the gut ter.
 It has happened that he has expended hours in roundly abusing the south, in whimsically and irrelevently trouncing the democratic party for alleged short comings, and in vindictively scoring the descendants of secessionists for the ob- vious fact that their fathers had not been entirely loyal to the Stars and Stripes.
 And it has happened that in time of great moment, he has undraped his fig ure of ultrapartisan robes, and spoken from his heart out and in very pretty compliment of some exceptional and mer- itorious action of a political opponent
 Some days ago, he praised the President because he had made a move for peace That praise caused Gardner and compa- triots to withdraw their pledge of loy- atty.
 MANN AND THE KAISER
 MT. Gardner, noting the fact that the President had moved for peace imme-
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