The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-11
Republicans Have 215 Mem
bers, Democrats 2l4,
Independents Five.
ONE VACANCY OPEN
Republicans Worried Over
Illness of Memberships
ers May Not Caucus.

Washington, March 9.-Optimistic
forecasts of the control of the next
house came from Democratic and Re-
publican leaders tonight when they
heard of the presidents call for an
extra session Of congress April is.
Many unbiased observers. however.
foresee only long and bitter organi-
cation fight unless coalition agree
ment prevents.
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
this probably would be it's minimum
strength.
The official standing of the incoming
house is as follows
Republicans. 215; Democrats. PA;
Prohibitionists. 1; Progressive, l; Pro-
gressive- Protectionist, /; Socialist. L;
Independent. l; vacant, l.
One Vacancy.
The vacancy exists in the Fifteenth
New York district, which is over
whelmingNy Democratic. Under the
| New York law this vacancy can be
| filled before the extra session begins
| If special election is called before
| next Friday. 1t has been generally be-
lieved Governor Whitman would call
| the election, which would make very
| nj in 10 o% hot ho
| ocratic and Republican membership on
| th-. opening day of the session. Then
the winning side would have to gain
the votes of three Of the so-called in
| dependents in order to have majority.
Republicans Worried.
Republican leaders are worried over
| the illness of three of their members
and the statement of fourth that he
| does not favor Representative Mann
| for speaker. Representative Hill OF
Connecticut. Sulloway Of New Hal
| shire and Graham Of Pennsylvania are
| i'll. Though their condition is not
| thought to be serious. there are fears
| that Representative Hill and Sulloway
may not be on their feet again for
some time. Representative Heintz OF
| Cincinnati, who succeeds former Rep
| resentative Allen, Democrat, recently
stated in letter in reply to a query as
to how he stood on the. speakershiI
that he did not favor" Mr.. Mann. He
did not say, however, that he would
not vote for him and the party leaders
are centering hope for his support.
| All of the newly elected Democrat,
and Republican members probably viii
be summoned here for caucus a weel
or 10 days before congress Is recon
vened
Democrats are assured that all o
their members will caucus but sew
eral former Progressives now enrollet
as Republicans. 1t Is understood. will
decline to be bound by caucus rules.
| Coalition Agreement.
Some members of both of the oil
parties would not be surprised to SCI
a coalition agreement entered into be
fore April Is and the slate carried
through with a rush before the end o
the first day. Success Of the bi-parti
san proposal will depend in grea
measure on the international situatid
five weeks hence and gaps which ma
be caused in the ranks of the b
parties by illness or death. Neithe
side proposes to permit weeks of wear
isome and useless balloting for speake
to tie up important government bust
ness.
Independents Silent.
Despite the growing talk Of coali
ton, the five independents insist the
will not acquiesce quietly to wishes c
big party leaders. BY agreement non
of the independents will pledge him
self to any candidate for speaker unit
all have met here again and discusse
the situation. These now are at the
T homes.
News of the calling of an extra ses
sion relieved the uncertainty Of moi
than hundred members who have n
manned here. since the regular sessio
> ended. Speaker Clark, beseiged b
members for information about I'll
e presidents extra session plans, wei
to the White House today shortly b.
fore the proclamation was issued. f
was unable to see the president on az