The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-22
HOUSE LEADERS,
PLANS ALL AWRY
They Are Embarrassed by
the Changed Congress
Date
BIG PARTIES
ARE TIED FAST
This May Result in a BIZ
Partisan Reorgani-
cation

Washington, March % Plans for the
House of Representatives went awry yes
terday when President Wilson called
Congress into extra session on April 2
in lieu of April l6.
The earlier date will find both the
Democratic and Republican leaders in an
embarrassing position. The situation au-
gurs for bipartisan organization as
discussed before the April 10 call.
Democrats, 2l4; Republicans, 2l4; in
dependent 3, will be the party align
ment. on paper, when the House CON
venes Indications now are that not all
the members of the House can be pres
ent and sickness may play part in the
organization, just as death already has
done.
In moving up the extra session date
the president made it impossible to fill
the seat OF Congressman Conry, Demo
crat. before the House meets. The Con
~ vacancy election is to be held in the
18th New York district on April Y. A
Democrat will be elected in this district,
but he will reach Washington two weeks
after Congress convenes.
Congressman Gordon Lee Of Georgia is
i'll with pneumonia 1t is probable he
will not be able TO vote on the organiza-
ton call
Congressman Ebenezcr HILL Connec-
ticut Republican, is also i'll. but hopes
to be able to report for duty.
My.tery surrounds the exact where
abouts OF Congressman James r. Mann,
Mr.
Mann and Congressman Mckinley OF Hi
nois, another Republican, left for the
West Indies week ago.
Inquiry at the offices of Congressman
Mann and Mckinley yesterday brought
the response that their Whereabouts was
unknown. Their respective secretaries
were non-committal, although it is I'M
dcrstood efforts are now being made to
reach the Republican leaders by cable
gram.
A speakership fight with one of the
candidates absent would be an unusual |
event Ii is believed that Mr. Mann and |
Mr.. Mckinley will lose no time in getting |
back to Washington.
A half dozen other members of the |
House whose names are unknown are re- !
ported to be on the Isthmus of Panama
While there was no official iunket to the |
canal zone at the close of the session
the impression at the capital yesterday
was that several members as individuals
had decided to visit the canal
Robert Gordon, sergeant at arms of the
House, is busy in the attempt to reach
all members of the House and inform
them of the earlier session call. The in
ability to elect Democrat in the Conry
district before April 2 leaves the Demo
Gratis tied with the Republicans on the
strict party lineup. The Republicans say
they have corraled three of the independ-
INT votes--Martin of louisiana Progress
sive; Schall of Minnesota, Progressive,
and Fuller of Massachusetts, independ-
ent. The Democrats, refusing to concede
Martin, say confidently they can count
IN London Of New York, Socialist, and
Randall Of California, Prohibitionist
The vote of Congressman Martin-as-
summing that all members are present /.
nay determine the House organization,
1ut sickness and absenteeism are likely 4
o disarrange all plans and tend toward
bipartisan organization under which the
1ouse may proceed Immediately to con-
ider the international crisis.
The successor to the late Congressman
sulloway, Republican, of New Hampshire, ,
will not be elected until May.