Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-25
.TOCA TEMPTS MR.. CLARK;
TO DECIDE BEFORE NIGHT
Conflicting Views Given Speaker by
Friends Here and at Home on
Senatorship Offer.

Before nightfall Champ Clark,
whether he will give up the speaker
ship and his membership in the House
to accept the proffered appointment as
United States Senator to succeed
Senator Stone. deceased.
In reply to kilograms from Gov.
Gardiner OF Missouri. offering him the
appointment and asking him to accept.
Speaker Clark this morning tele-
graphed the governor that he would
give him definite answer some time
today. Tho appointment would be for
the interim until the vacancy could be
filled by popular election next Novem-
Der, and that election would be for the
term expiring in 1920.
Colleagues Ask Him to Decline.
Speaker Clark, in considering the
offer made him by the Governor of Mis-
souri,, was confronted today by power
full considerations weighing both for
ana against his acceptance. Demo-
cratic colleagues in the House urged
him to decline. From Missouri politi-
ca! sources came equally as urgent
solicitation to accept.
II
the Speaker by the democratic leaders
in the House that vacating the Office of
Speaker a this time would precipitate
a serious legislative situation.
1t was contended that not only is 1t
doubtful, in view of the loose party
division in the House, with independ-
ents holding the balance of power
whether the democrats could elect a
democratic successor to the Speaker:
but there is grave possibility that a
deadlock n q
case, 1t was argued, legislation vital
to the conduct Of the war would be de-
layed. II not imperiled.
Interest in Fall Election.
On the other hand, Missouri polfti-
clans insisted that Mr.. Clark is the only
man who can make absolutely sure the
carrying OF Missouri by the democrats
in the senatorial election next fall.
That situation was conceded as a fact
after national democratic leaders and
the Missouri party managers had care
fully gone over tho ground.
Friends in the confidence of the
Speaker said today that the Speaker de-
sires. above all things, to do what is
best for the country and for the party.
He will. 1t is said. subordinate his own
wishes to the greater necessities of the
situation. During the day he was in
conference with his colleagues of the
House. and also conferred with demo-
Gratis Of national prominence outside of
the House.
Republican Assurances to Mr.. Clark.
Minority Leader Mann. who was at
the Capitol today, said that If Speaker
Clark should decide to accept the soma
torship he would not be in favor Of the
republicans attempting to organize the
House. Aside from the difficulty and
| embarrassment to legislation attending
such an undertaking, he said, he
thought republicans would be disposed
to refrain. out of compliment to the
Speaker, from e1ecting a republican as
his successor. Mr.. Mann conveyed this
information to Speaker Clark.
Mr.. Gillett OF Massachusetts,. acting
minority leader in Mr.. Mann's absence,
concurred in Mr.. Mann's views
Governors Tender Of Office.
JEFFERSON CITY. Mo, April 25.-
Gov. Gardiner last night rendered to
Champ Clark. Speaker of the House of
Representatives., the appointment as
senator to succeed the late William J.
Stone. The governor announced he had
sent the following telegram to Mr..
Clark: IT have the honor of rendering
to you appointment as senator to fill
vacancy caused by death of Senator