The sun., 1917-03-10
FOR SPEAKER PRO TEN.
Republicans Would Accept Clark II
Organization IL Delayed.

WASHINGTON, March 9.-MemberS OF
the House in Washington tonight were
inclined to view with mixed feelings
the call of the President for an extra
session to convene April 16. Surprise
was expressed by many that the Presi-
dent. after determining that an extra
session was necessary, should set a date
as far ahead as April 16 II certain leg
islation is deemed imperative.
II. on the other hand, the President
does not deem 1t imperative that legis-
lation be enacted Immediately to sup
port his hand In the international crisis.
they are at a loss to understand why
he did not postpone the call until such
time as would enable them. after re-
turning to their constituencies and feel
ing the public pulse at first hand. to
return and reenact supply measures lost
through the filibuster in the Senate.
As a matter of fact there are a great
many members who do not know ex-
actly where they stand at home since
the action of a few Senators solidihed
behind the President the support of the
entire country. They anticipate that
they will be called on to enact a good
deal of legislation which up to the
present has been considered revolu-
tionary in many sections. They would
like to get home and post up on these
points II, as the date set by the Presi-
dent indicates. there Is no crying need
for emergency legislation.
Temporary Orga anizatiOn Scheme.
In view of to-day's developments the
organization of the House and the time
consumed thereby has become all i'm
portant. However. II the President in
dicates in his opening address that GER
tain legislation bearing upon the inter-
national situation IL imperative, 1t was
the opinion Of the leaders tonight that
the organizatio Of the House would not
be permitted to delay action. Although
they expect confidently to organize the
House. Republicans will not oppose a
temporary organization under a Speaker
pro tenn. and whatever temporary COM
mittees as shall be necessary for the
transaction of business. Speaker Clark
would be wholly acceptable to the Re-
publicans In this capacity.
Republicans. however, do not anticipate
a long delay In the matter OF House or
ganization. Counting against them every
vote they do not feel certain is with
them, they believe they have a majority
Of one with all existing or threatened
vacancies filled on their present political
basis Old and new members have been
Instructed to hold themselves in readi-
ness for a call as early as April I.
1t is probable that u party conference
will be called not long after that date
and the time intervening between then
and the convening Of the extra session
will be utilized to perfecting the organi-
zation which the party will seek to per-
petuate In the House. The. election OF
a Speaker pro tenn. will be resorted to
only In the event that some of the "un.
certainties" now believed to be definitely
aligned with one party or the other
draw apart and leave the two main par.
ties tied up In a deadlock.
Both sides Predict Victory.
Both Speaker Clark and Representa-.
tive Woods of Iowa. chairman Of the
| Republican Congressional Committee
predicted victory for their respective
parties. Each said his party was as.
sured Of at least 21s votes and that