The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-13

Washington, March 9.-Optimistic
forecasts of the control Of the next
house came from Democratic and
Republican leaders tonight when they
heard of the presidents call for an
extra session of congress April Is.
Unbiased observers forsee only
long and bitter organization fight un-
less a coalition agreement prevents.
Speaker Clark and Representative
Woods Of Iowa, chairman of the Re-
publican congressional committee,
predicted victory for their respective
parties. Each said his party was as
sured of at least 21S votes. The Of
fetal standing of the incoming house
is as follows: Republicans 215; Demo
Gratis PA; Prohibitionist /; Pro-
gressive l. Progressive-Protectionist
]; Socialist / Independent I; vacancy
The vacancy exists in the Fifteenth
New York district, which is over
whelmingly Democratic. 1t has been
generally believed that Gov. Whit
man would call an election before
next Friday. which would make vir-
tuallv certain tie at 215 between
the Democratic and Republican mem
bers in the opening day of the session.
Republicans are Worrying.
Republican leaders are worried
over the illness of three of their
members and the statement of Rep
resentative Heintz of Cincinnatl's
fourth. that he does not favor Repre-
sentative Mann for speaker.
Representatives Hill of Connecticut.
Sulloway of New Hampshire and
Graham of Pennsylvania are III.
All the newly elected Democratic
and Republican members probably
will be summoned here for caucuses
week or ten days before congress is
reconvened Several Progressives en-
rolled as Republicans, it is understood.
will decline to be bound by caucus
rules. Some members of both the
old parties would not be surprised to
see coalition agreement entered
into before April 16 and the slate
carried through with rush before
the end of the first day. Success of
the bipartisan proposal will depend
in a great measure on the internat1on-
al situation and gaps which may be
caused in the ranks of the big parties
by illness or death. Neither side pro-
poses to permit weeks of wearisome
and useless balloting for speaker 20
tie ND important government business.
To Remain Independent.
Despite the growing talk of coali-
ton the five Independents insist they
will not acquiesce quietly to the
wishes of big party leaders. BY agree
ment none of the Independents will
pledge himself to any candidate Tor
speaker until all have met here again.
News of the calling of an extra
session relieved the uncertainty OF
more than a hundred members who
have remained here since the last ses-
sion ended. Many left for home to-
night. Speaker Clark predicted that
once congress resumed sittings In
April it will not adjourn until August,
1918. He thinks that organization
work will be disposed of within four
DAYS and then the entire field OF leg1s-
lation, including bills which failed at
the last session and new proposals,
will be opened up.
The speaker went to the White
House today shortly before the proc
lamation was issued. He was >un-
able to see the president on account
of the latter's illness, but talked with
Secretary Tumulty and told him 1t
was absolutely necessary that there
should be some word, preferably
proclamation, that would enable mem
bers and congressional attaches gen.
erallv to make their plans.
Some of the members of the house
insular affairs committee have plan
ned to make trip to the Philippines,
others have arranged to visit Alaska
and Hawaii and the Indian affairs
committee proposed trip of inspec-
ton in the West. All these plans nov
will have to be abandoned.
plCnAD C4PTTRED RY