New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-31
Coalition House
Is Foreshadowed
In New Congress
Republicans to Control
Rules and Other lmpor-
tant Committees
Clark Will Be Speaker
Mann and Lenroot Rivals for
Leadership-Parties
Caucusing
Clark Will Be Speaker

Washington, March So.--After
somewhat unsuccessful caucus Of the
democratic members Of the House OF
representatives to-day it seemed prob
able that a very speedy organization
would be effected next week by means
Of Republican support.
There is no doubt that Champ Clark
will be Speaker Of the new House, but
the Republicans seem to have good rea-
son for the belief tonight that several
of the important committees and, pos
siblv. the Office of clerk Of the House,
will fall to them. A Republican will be
chairman Of the Committee on Rules
and there will be a Republican majority
on that very important committee.
The independents among the Repub
leans. under the leadership of Angus
TINS P. Gardner, of Massachusetts. one
Of the strongest advocates Of prepared
ness in the House and the most I'M
sparinc critic Of the Navy and War
9epartments. and Irving l.. Lenroot. of
Wisconsin, held several meetings this
afternoon and this evening. They are
,n number probably not more than
twenty-five.
LenroOt Urged for Leader
There were negotiations between the
regulars and the Independents this
.fternoon looking 70 a possible rap
prochement. The independents offered
,c vote for Mann for Speaker provided
that the regulars would accept Lenroot
for leader. II Mann were elected
Speaker. the regulars said, they would
take Lenroot for leader. If Mann were
defeated for Speaker certainty now
the regulars would insist on his re-
naming minority leader. This did not
satisfy the independents.
The Democratic caucus Is described
as unsuccessful because there were
crly 175 members present. and 1t
proved TO be impossible to take any &C
ton beyond the nomination of Clark
for Speaker.
When the Republicans learned that
the caucus had adjourned without ac-
ton upon committee assignments they
felt certain that the Democrats would
be as eager for a coalition House as
are the friends OF Leader Mann.
Neither the regular Republicans or the
regular Democrats care to make the
bargains necessary 20 hold in line the
recalcitrants Of their parties.
To Gust Southern Rule
The ostensible purpose of a combira-
ton of Democrats and Republicans-in
which there is a good deal of truth, by
the way--is the elimination Of the
Southern influence in the control of the
committees.
One Of the absentees from the DEM
ocratic caucus to-day was Representa-
tive Gallivan, of Boston, who has fol-
lowing in the House known as the Gal
ivan Guards" The Southerners in
Congress forced through, against Gal
iiyan's objection, mass of prohibition
legislation. Mr.. Gallivan told The
Tribune tonight that he would vote
for Clark for Speaker and for some OF
the Democratic caucus candidates for
House officers. The Republicans un-
derstand tina. Gallivan and his friends
will be with them on committee assign
ments.
Gallivan to-day received Geographic
Endorsements of his protest against
Southern domination from more than
a dozen ward leaders in his district and
from the following prominent Demo-
cratic business and professional men
Of Boston: Harry 3. Endicott. of the
Endicott Shoe Company; John G.
Heyer. vice-president Of the Federal
Trust Company; James J. Phelan, of
the firm Of Hornblower E. Weeks; Jo-
seph Doherty, John Morton, Francis NJ.
Carroll. Frederick H. Fay, Edward +.
NcSwecney and Thomas J. CleXton, all
either now or formerly active in DEM
ocratic politics.
Republican Caucus To-day
The Republicans will hold their eau
Gus tomorrow and make nominations
for Speaker. sergeant-at-arms, chief
doorkeeper, clerk and other Offices. The
expectations are that the attendance
will be about as light as at the Demo-
cratic caucus.
The situation has been so handled
that Mr.. Mann is practically certain 10
be minority leader. The independents
will act against him merely as a pro-
test against his -Germanlsm and re-
dictionary tactics of the past. But Mr..
Mann to-day appears 20 be less Of
pro-Germsn than before. 1t - even
probable that very soon after organiza-
ton he will appear in the role OF adj
vocate Of universal military training
and service.
From reports which have been re-
eeiyed from the country it seems evil
dent that the people care very little
FOR the politics OF the House, so long
a. II is quickly organized and quickly
gets down 20 business. Under the pres
ent circumstances this IL very probable
II ought not 90 take more than a day