The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1917-03-14
HOUSE ORGANIZATION
IS STILL DOUBTFUL

Washington, D. c. March 12-De--
spite conferences among leaders and
animated discussion of proposals for
working out Democratic, Republican
or bipartisan control of the incom-
ing House of Representatives there
are few signs that the plans OF either
OF the big parties or the little group
of Independents will take definite
form until within a few days OF the
meeting OF the special session April
TO-
Most of the members have left the
capital with the impression that the
lines for the organization fight can
not be drawn even so much as a
month in advance because Of the shift
month in advance because OF the
shifting Of strength due to deaths and
uncertainties surrounding plans for
special elections to fill the vacancies.
Republican Leader Mann, who will
be his party's candidate for speaker,
departed tonight after announcing
that he would not favor any trading
for Republican control and predicting
that bipartisan organization was mot
| improbable.
The fluctuating standings of the
parties presented tonight the pros
pect that the Democrats will have
BIS votes and the Republicans pa
when the special session convenes 1t
will require 21S to elect a speaker.
The five so-called independents hold
ing the balance of power have been
unable so far to agree on a concerted
course but they will meet again be-
fore the beginning of the session
In order to keep their strength up
to 215, the Democrats will have to
elect a Democrat in the Fifteenth
New York district. where a special
election is to be held April II to
choose successor to Tie late Repres-
entative Conry 1t generally is con-
coded that the strong Tammany e1e-
ment there will have no difficulty in
returning a Democratic majority.
The hopes of Republicans that a Re-
publican might be elected in New
Hampshire to succeed the late Rep
resentative Sulloway, bringing the
Republican up to 215, disappeared to-
day when it was discovered state
statute would not permit an election
before April TO-
During the day Representative
Mann telegraphed the Governors of
New York and New Hampshire urg-
ing that special elections in the Con-
ry and Sulloway districts be called as
quickly as possible.
The House organization" said Mr..
Mann, is not matter of trading. 1t
should not be case of figuring on
some partisan advantage. | do not
propose to have it said that, if
can prevent it, the Republicans have
adopted anything in the nature of
sharp practice in order to elect me
speaker.
1T is not improbable there will be
bipartisan organization of the
House, but I do not think is pos
sible to determine whether there will
be one until there shall have been
test OF strength and both sides have
had vote on the subject of organiza-
ton"
In view of international compica-
tons and the fact that neither party
will have a majority in the House,
there necessarily will have to be some
bipartisan understanding in the house
after organization is effected, if not
before it is effected.
1T would be ridiculous to suppose
that such body Of men in matters
of important legislation would permit
themselves to be controlled by the
mere whim or caprice Of a few men
who call themselves Independents"
Mr. Mann added that it was posi-
bic, though not altogether probable,
that Congress might end its extra
session in two weeks.
Speaker Clark said tonight that he
thought the chances favor session of
about six weeks and was convinced
that it would be either short or very
long.
EFT TIE IEADER ENITEPpPICE