Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-11
HOUSE NOW bALKS
AT ANY COALITION
Finish Fight, With No Quarter
Predicted by Members of
Both Political Parties.
INDEPENDENTS LOSE GRIP

the House of Representatives yester-
day showed SO much spunk and stiff
fened their lines to such an extent that
the roseate outlook for bipartisan
House organization changed suddenly
to a battle gray. Moreover, an an
nouncement by Representative Schall
of Minnesota, one of the five so-called
Independents. that he would not join
any movement to block important leg
islation, heartened leaders on both
sides to an extent that seemed to
predict the abandonment of the bi-
partisan scheme.
Originally Aimed at Little Group.
The dual control of the House was
originally planned in order to Illustrate
the possible control of the government
in the hands of the little group of So
called independents. Now that both
large parties are acting in a manner
which shows the independents that the
House believes it can get along very
well without their aid. the once
vaunted independent strength is
waning. and the republicans and dem
ocrats are both openly claiming the
control of the coming House. but
secretly experiencing misgiNlngS.
Now members scoff at the idea of
republican chairman of the military
committee and democrat at the head
of the naval committee. They see hu-
NOR in the suggestion that one party
might control the appropriation com
mittee and the other the ways and
means. They look for a finish fight
with no quarter asked and none given.
Views of Two Members.
The views which are being expressed
by members of each of the two parties
are fairly well typified in the follow
ing statements made to a Star reporter
by Representative Borland of Missouri
and Campbell of Kansas.
The democrats are going to organ
iZe the next House." said Mr.. Borland.
Il admit that much depends upon the
early election of Mr.. Conry's successor.
cannot see how, if we get even
number of votes. we can fail to come
out on top inasmuch as the administra-
ton is democratic.
IF the democrats do organize the
House I feel sure that they will, the
great supply bills considered at the
last session, can be passed with only
minor changes If the republicans get
control, it is perfectly possible that
they will want new hearings on all
these subjects, and this will mean
much delay.
May Be Long Fight"
the fight for control will be long one,
but l am inclined to believe that we
will see a democratic House in two
days from the time we meet"
Representative Campbell said:
at is my firm belief that the next
House will be organized as republican
within a few days from the time it is
convened. Under these conditions the
committees would be rapidly reorgan-
lied and all necessary supply measures
passed in quick order.
THE attitude of republican House
toward measures affecting national de-
fense will be characterized by the same
patriotic spirit which the party al
ways has shown.
II regard the chatter about a pos
sible coalition House as pure nonsense.
Any republican who would vote for a
democratic Speaker, or vice versa, and
subsequently go back to his constitu-
ents for reelection, would be hooted
out of politics"
Mr.. Schall's Announcement.
was as follows:
while l am reserving my right to
vote independently, l am not going to
join a group of men and block legis-
lation for the mere purpose of gaining
patronage. Patriotism means more to
me than mere party victory, and 1
shall do my best to help expedite pub
lie business"
Republicans generally accepted the
development as meaning an additional
vote for Representative Mann for
Speaker after the first few ballots are
cast. Representative Schall spoke in
behalf of the republican national ticket
in the last election. though he was
nominated and elected as a progressive
because of local differences.
Republicans to Confer.
\ general conference of republicans
probably will he held four five days
previous to the opening of the session.
and at that meeting a committee will
probably be named to frame up list
of republicans for committee assign
ments. 1t may transpire that the or
ganIzation of the House. the naming
of a Speaker, etc, viii occupy several