The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
DEMOCRATS SHOW : NO AL AR M OVER LESSEN|NG MARGIN Republicans Seem Unwilling to Take Advantage of Situation in Congress THEY FEAR TAKING OVER RESPONSIBILITY As Result Burden of War and Political Legislation Will
 Remain Where It
 Now Is
By HIGH ". ROBERTS

Washington, December 30-(Special) Democrats are not alarmed and repub- licans are not hopeful because recent deaths have reduced democratic margins in the House and Senate.
 It is stated on very high republican authority that no effort will be made to unseat democrats from positions of con trol in the House. The republicans de- clare they could do so, and would do so, but for their desire that democrats be held responsible for all political legisla- tion which mikht be enacted
 DEMOCRATS CONFIDENT
 Democratic leaders are imbued with conviction that they will continue to hold control of the House following elections next year, and that despite the deaths of Senators Hastings. Lane and New lands. which complicated the already dubious situation, they will retain con trol of the upper branch. They believe that democrat will be elected to sue ceed Woodrow Wilson. In other words. they are as confident that they have made good and that the people are ap- preciative. as they are that in the long LII 0Siiiidiiy VIII De brought 10 US knees.
 HAVE "COLD FEET"
 It is true that the republicans have cold feet or have adopted uncanny strat- egy to have effect in approaching elec- tons. They have practically as many votes in the House as democrats, and on shighbrow' topics are able to control nroha h1U a ,1oin ifu of dependents. Nevertheless, they made no attempt to elect Miss Jeannette Rankin chairman of the suffrage committee, which they could have accomplished. Re- publicans permitted the unseat;ng of Ba- con of the Second Michigan, and the seating of Beakes, democrat. without the formality of a roll call.
 MARGIN IS SLIM
 The margin of strength between the parties is exceedingly slim. When Beakes took his seat democrats num- bered 215, and republicans 2l1 with eight independents and democratic vacancy in the Fourth Illinois. The death of MT. Bathrick of Ohio reduced the demo- cratic strength to 2l4. Four democrats are expected to resign after the begin- ming of the new year. and the resigna- tion of Fitzgerald of Brooklyn has all ready been accepted. Others to resign are Bruckner, elected president of the Bronx, New York; Griffin, elected sheriff of Brooklyn; Hurlbert, who is said to be slated for a good berth in the adminis- tration of Mayor Hylan. and Adamson of Georgia, appointed member of the board of appraisers.
 TO MAKE SOME LOSSES
 The losses through the resignations of New Workers will be made up by Tam many activity, it is predicted, and there is no question but that Georgia will sup plant Adamson with democrat Bath rick represented a doubtful district.
 At any rate, democratic strength will be reduced to 209 Republicans would have majority of but for the fact that three of their number will join the colors. The three are Heintz of Ohio, La Guardia of New York, and Johnson of South Da- kota. It is indicated, therefore, that until late in January, democrats will number 2Os and republicans POS
 The voting strength will be so evenly by the date of the elections next year that throughout the United States interest will be centered in even the most remote and Insignificant district.
 tContinucd on Page Three,