Evening star., 1917-01-26
FORESEE NECESSITY
FOR EXTRA SESSION
Reorganization of the House
Discussed by the Leaders
in Congress.
PARTIES EQUALLY DIVIDED

While neither the administration
leaders nor the republicans desire an
extra session of Congress, possibility Of
the necessity of assembling the next
Congress during the spring or summer
months is not yet dissipated and will
not be until the President declares him.
self satisfied with the legislation en-
acted Intimations of an extra session
are heard from day to day as the ex-
piration of this session draws nearer
and the Presidents program lags in
fulhllment.
On the House side the subject is OF
keen interest. because as soon as an
extra session appears imminent the
bitter fight over the organization OIL
the House looms in view. and the con-
test over the election of Speaker will
engage attention
Attitude Of Republicans Discussed.
'win the republicans really make
fight for the organization of the
House?" is the question asked, in view
of the known disposition of many re-
publicans to let the organization go to
the democrats as the better policy of
politics. However. the last word from
the leaders of the present minority in
the House is that the republicans will
organize the House if they can get the
votes.
The unofficial list of members of the
House of the Sixty-fifth Congress, the
one which would be called in extra ses-
sion. as made up by the clerk OF the
House, South Trimble, contains the
names of the men who would vote on
the election of Speaker. According to
this list, there are 215 democrats, 215
republicans. progressives. l inde-
pendent, / prohibitionist and l socialist.
Elements of Doubt.
The latest report is that the socialist
member, Meyer London of New York,
win not take sides on the speakarship
fight. but will vote present. Such
course would leave the other four to di-
vide between the republicans ard the
democrats. If they should also with
hold their votes. deadlock would re-
suit until terms could be made with the
i've holding the balance of power suf-
dcient to turn the scale.
However, there Is yet another element
OF doubt in the situation, for some of
the progressives numbered among the
republican 215 are thought to be uncer-
one or two of them might tip the bal
ance in such a close division.
In point of fact, the real issue, SO far
as some Of the progressives and inde-
pendents are concerned. is not SO much
the personality of the speakership or
even the question of whether the Speak
er IL to be a republican or a democrat,
but Is rather the question of rules and
procedure.
That is to say. they are more con-
cerned with the method Of selecting
committees. and especially the per-
sonnel of the rules committee. than in
the selection of a mere moderator" or
presiding officer of the House, who,
under reforms now in vogue. is shorn
Of the power formerly welded by the
Speaker of the House
May Conform to Existing Custom.
II is said. upon authority. that the
republicans. IL they should organize
the House. will conform to existing
custom in the selection of committees;
that Is to say. the committee on rules
and other committees will be chosen
oy caucus. The republicans would
meet in caucus, and by vote name a
method of making up the committees
which would give all factions an op-
portunity of representation, and the
democrats would do likewise.
Indeed. the present disposition among
republicans in the House is to avoid
any semblance of despotic authority by
one faction and to present a harmo-
nious front. with all shades Of thought
given due representation in the COM
mittee makeup. 1t is a foregone con-
clusion, IL is said, that the speaker
ship and the floor leadership will be
gressives will feel sure Of adequate
representation.