Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-12-27
FIGHT FOR CONTROL
WILL BE CONTINUED
Plan by Which Democrats
Were to Have Been Given
Responsibility Abandoned
When Program Of Oppo-
sition Became Known.
Capital News Special service.)


Washington, Dec. 26.-There is a lot
of political manipulation going in
Washington now between the Repub-
licans and Democrats who will make
up the membership Of the next house.
A large class of Republicans believe
that the Republicans have more to lose
than to gain by controlling the next
house and are willing to allow the
Democrats to take over the organiza-
ton and the responsibility that goes
with it. This element has discussed
with the Democratic leaders terms Of
yielding to a Democratic reorganiza-
ton and one of the compromises pro-
posed is to practically recede from the
reform innovation following the war
on Cannonism that took from the
speaker the power of appointment of
committees and gave it to the ways and
means committee and restore the APP
pointing power to the speaker.
In consideration for this concession,
which is more apparent than real SO
far as the regular or conservative Re-
publicans are concerned, the Democrat
ic leaders have promised to increase
the membership of the Republicans IN
all the important committees which will
leave the Democrats with bare major
ity and insure independent considera-
ton of measures by relieving against
the partisan advantage.
NEW IDEA DAWNS.
This plan was proceeding very favor
ably and most of the Republicans had
settled down to acceptance of the idea
that the Democrats would organize the
house, that the Republicans would ac-
?ept the fortunes of war" and allow the
Democrats to struggle along under the
responsibility and reap whatever of po-
litical capital might grow out of the
Democratic seeding.
But new idea dawned on the Re-
publican leaders. Word came to them
few days ago that the national lead
ers of the Democracy were sending out
word that the house must be Democrat
ic and that contests were 20 be waged
relentlessly in all districts that are
close and where there is any prospect
of securing seats. The president has
taken a personal interest in the plan it
is said.
REPUBLICANS ALARMED.
Reflection upon the cause of this
Democratic interest in the next house
has filled Republicans with alarm for
the IuluFG Of IlieiT party. lney nave
been made aware in some way of a
plan of the president to put through a
program of legislation that he believes
will hold all of the states won by the
Democrats in the last election and
make Republican success impossible
for quarter of a century.
The Republicans are willing to con-
cede that the biggest handicap in the
last campaign was the want of an is
sue that was popular. The president
has appropriated most of their program
tor progressive legislation. Now it is
understood that he contemplates moth
ing short of Scientific revision of
the tariff that will have in mind con-
tinually the interests of American in
1ustries and to guard against the eco
nomic results that will follow the war.
Within a few days the Republicans
have changed front and say they must
control the next house if possible and
take their full share OF responsibility
COR legislation.