The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-22
WILL ORGANIZE HOUSE
ON BIPARTISAN BASIS
FOR EXTRA SESSION.
With War At Hand, Congress VIII
Not Spend Its Time In Jockeying
for Political Position.
HONORS OF OFFICES
ARE TO BE DIVIDED
Big Fight for Ultimate Control VIII
Is Called to he Held March 80.
BY GEORGE L. EDMUNDS.
stat. Correspondent of the Interna-
Iinnnl Nnxxa sas.xicx,


Washington. March 2i.--War's i'm
minence has forced an abandonment
or the plans for a tree-for-all fight
for the control of the house of rep
resentatives in the sixty fifth congress
1t became known tonight that the vir.
tual certainty of an International con-
fiict has had a SOLDERING effect upon
the leaders OF both political parties
in the house. They are convinced that
with the United States on the brink
Of open hostilities with Germany, the
time for partisan politics is pastor
az least postponed. The administra-
uon leaders are virtually committed
70 such a policy and the Republicans
are expected to realize the gravity of
the situation and put shoulder 10 the
wheel and, forsaking party prefer
eucc stand as one as Americans in
the coming struggle.
Ri-Partisan Organization.
The suggestion advanced now Is for
the house TO he organized on a hi
partisan basis with Champ Clark re-
turned TO the speakers chair. the
house officers and the patronage
which they carry with them equita bly,
divided between Democrats and Re
puhlicans and a similar non parrish
arrangement OF committee assign
mehts with some of the Craftsmanship
plums handed to the Republicans and
others granted to Democrats.
The general proposition of BIZ
partisan organization had Its incep.
ton among the Democrats. The house
is virtually divided in halves between
the two parties. Should the organiza-
ton be attempted on a partisan basis
there must ensue bitter fight for
control lasting perhaps for days. II
10 matter of history that Il house
not possessed Of majority in eithe,
party may consume weeks. and in
deed months. in fruitless bailoting and
iockeying for position which holds
back legislation needed for the whole
nation.
Thus far no opinion has been ex-
dressed by the Republican leaders as
TO the general plan of bipartisan
control. II is well known, however.
that there Is a considerable element
in the erstwhile minority party which
IAN be relied upon to favor post
onement of the partisan clash until
he great pending International prob
lens are out of the way.
Therefore. the administration sug-
~estion for bipartisan organization is
restricted to the organization OF the
house for the extraordinary session
only. This will mean that the strug-
lie for control Is only postponed. The
;uggestion of special dispensation
for the extraordinary session. with
the promise of a knock down and
irag-out fight with a fair field and
no favors after the grave duties Of
the present emergency have been per-
formed is expected to appeal to many
Republicans, who would promptly re-
fuse consent to such an arrangement
were it to he permanent. and for the
tptire period OF the sixty~fifth con-
fress.
Caucus Called for March 80.
/ Speaker Clark and Majority Leader
kitchin tonight fi!ed personal tele-
crams to all Democratic members of
the house calling q caucus for March
80. but urging their earlier presence
IN Washington wherever possible. The
Republican caucus. previously called
for April ~ will probably be as
sembled March 81. with similar
injunction as to early presence in
Continued on Second paxAN ~