Evening journal., 1917-01-05
Leaders BOLSTER UP
Three HObD-OUTS
Alice, Davis and HoustonCon-
fer With Senators Barnard
and Frazier at Dover
REGULARS STAND PAT
FOR MAJORITY RULE
Star Corresnnndent.

ntdu correspondent.
DOVER, Del, Jan 5.-'rhe two
houses Of the Delaware Legislature
held perfunctory sessions today, both
branches convening shortly after II
o'clock
Senator Barnard presided in the
Senate with Senator Hollett as his
colleague A recess was taken i'm
mediateiy until tomorrow at y o'clock
when another perfunctory session will
be held,
The House was called % order by
Speaker Hall Prayer was offered b.
Chaplain BRily Two other members
Representatives Jones and Loose.
were present. On motion OF Repre-
sentative Jones an adjournment was
taken until II o'clock tomorrow morn
ing.
Chief Clerk Poor Of the House, per.
formed the duties Of his Office
Leaders OF the so called Independent
Republicans are evidently making
strenuous efforts to keep the three
hold-out Senators, Barnard. Frazier
and Webb. in line TO prevent organi-
zation Of the Senate next week. They
are upholding Barnard and Frazier.
the Kent county Senator'S in their
position Of 'us OF nobody the same
tactics which we're used IN trying %
wreck the Republican party at the
last election. The three hold-out
Senator Dersistently refuse to go
into a party caucus. and their post
tion is being criticized by Repuhli-
cans in general throughout the state.
Former Senator ]. Frank Alice and
Frank Hall Davis, OF Dover; Robert
G.. Houston. OF Georgetown, and Sem
ators Barnard and Frazier, heSd a
conference here yesterday afternoon.
The same five are also reported 20
have been in conference Wednesday
night.
The two Senators stated during
the day that there was no change
whatever in the situation and init
mated that they proposed 70 stand
pat" on their original position.
n was rumored during the afternoon
that the "hold-outsr may agree on
Senator Newton. OF Bridgeville FOR
president pro tenn early next week,
but such a report could not be veri-
fed. This rumor may have been what
caused Alice. Davis and Houston TO
confer with the three senators yes-
/ terday.
Senator Barnarti is reported 70
have stated earlier in the week that
I he had nothing personal against Sem
ator Hofiecker. who has been receiv-
ing seven Of the ten Republican votes
for president pro tenn. and that he
would just as leave vote for him as
any other Senator outside OF Kent
county. but that he would hold out
for what be claims 20 be a principle.
The sO-cailed "vindication" that
Senator Barnard is seeking to get
through the Senate does not seem to
appeal TO the Republicans in general.
as they cannot figure out what the
other seven Republican Senators have
10 do with what might or might no
have happened in Kent county during
the last campaign.
The regular Senators stated before
leaving Dover yesterday afternoon
that there was no change in the sit
uation as far as they know and they
are determined TO hold out for major
lty rule. Senator Pool, who voted for
Senator Barnard on several ballots, Is
now supporting Senator Hoffecker
There is considerable speculation as
what will be done about the message
OF Governor Miller. IN case the SEN
ate is deadlocked when he goes out OF
Office at noon. January Is. It is gem
orally believed, however, that out OF
courtesy to the Governor he would be
invited 10 read his message, even II or
ganizatlon was not effected
The House will get down 20 busi-
ness on Monday and some bills will
probably beaintroduced on that day
Speaker Hall is working on his COM
mittees which will be announced in
the House Monday or Tuesday.
In addition 10 some minor offices and
stenographers, which appointments were
agreed on in a deal when the House
was organized on Wednesday. the at
torney for the House is yet to be named
2. r. Cochran, lr., of Wilmington. and
James VI. Tunnel. of Georgetown, have
been mentioned. Henry r. lsaacs. chair
man of the New Castle County Demo
cratic Committee. is also mentioned.
Mr.. lsaacs was on the slate made up by
Democptic members OF the Senate sew
eral days ago.
House Safe Opened.
Speaker Hervey p. Hall got the House
safe open yesterday afternoon. lie got
the combination BY telephoning to Clerk
William ~. Poor, at Hartley. The
speaker was searching for various
printed forms used In the House two
years AGO, hut failed 70 find thom in,
the safe He is trying to get in COM
munication with +. q. Pierce. Of Mil
ford, today. who was clerk OF the House
two years ago, to learn whore the formsl
can be found.