Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-10
BOTH SIDES HOPE
TOCONTROL HOUSE
Optimistic Forecasts Made by
Democratic and Republi-
can Leaders.
VOTE ABOUT EVENLY DIVIDED
Long Organization Fight Be-
lieved in Prospect, Unless Co.
alition Agreement Prevents.
VOTE ABOUT EVENLY DIVIDED
I Eiy Associated presg |

WASHINGTON March o--Optimistic
forecasts Of the controi OF tho next
House came quickly from Democratic
and Republican leaders tonight when
they heard OF tho Presidents call for
an extra session OF Congress on April
ID. Many unbiased observers. however.
foresce only a long ana bitter organ
ization fight unless q coalition agree
incnt prevents
Both Speaker Clark and Representa-
iives Woods. Of Iowa. chairman Of the
republican Congressional Committee.
predicted victory for their respective
parties. Each said his party was as
surcd of at least 2lS votes. and that
this probably would be it's minimum
strength
The official standing or the incoming
House is as follows:
Republicans. .l5: Democrats. 81; Pro-
hibitionisi |: Progressive. i: Progress
sire-Protcctiontst. |: Socialist. /: in
dependent. |: vacant, i
The vacancy cHsts in tho Fifteenth
New York District. which is over
whelmingly Democratic. Under tho
New York law this vacancy can bs
iilled before tho extra session begins
'2i'aIi boNtItbT " nllilAn tull a
cial election it would make certain a
tie at 2l5 between tho Democratic and
Republican membership on the opening
day of tho session. Then the winning
side would have to gain the votes OF
three OF the so-called independents l.,
have majority.
Republican leaders arc worried over
the illness of three Of their members.
and the statement OF 81 fourth that lie
does not favor Representative Mann for
Speaker
TO III; CALLED IN Caucus
SEVERAL DAYS BEFGRI;
All the newly elected Democratic.
and Republican members probably viii
b" summoned here for caucus a week
o. ten days before Congress is recon-
Ncned.
Some members of both old parties
would not b. surprised 10 see !. coali-
ton agreement before April 10. and the
slate carried through with rush be.
fore the end Of the first day. Success
"f the bipartisan proposal viii depend
In great measure on the international
situation i've weeks hence Neither
side proposcs 10 permit weeks Of use
less hallutins for Speaker to tie up
Tie Democrats control tho new Sen
n'e by twelve votes. and despite the
butter debates on international prob
l"in> and its failure 10 pass the armed
neutrality bin, ii can he safely count
"a upon to stand behind the President
In almost anything he asks III handling
the German situation. The power vf
the little group of paciiiSts 10 defeat
legislation would l." negligible III Il
session THAT might last until December.
even without the modified clotur. rule
which the Senate adopted Yesterday.
House leaders say il will make but
little difference which party controls
that body when it comes 10 questions
Involving the handling OF international
problems. but when the President goes
beyond legislation OF this character.
he may not have such easy sailing.
Although all the appropriation bills
that had failed last session have gone
through the old House, they must go
through the new ono again. aud must
take the usual course through proper
committees. These committees cannot
be named until the House itself is or
ganizcd.