New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Pennsylvania Republicans
Offer Votes in DeaiWith
N. Y. and New England
Graham for Floor Leader
Full Party Caucus Called
for Feb. 27; Indiana's 10
Are Solid Against Mann
Bv Carter Field


WASHINGTON, Feb. "a heavy
slant toward Gillett, of Massachusetts,
as Speaker Of the next House Of Rep
resentatives was evident to night when
the House Republicans met in caucus
to decide upon the date of their or
ganization meeting. They decided to
call a meeting for February 27, at
which all of the Republican members
of the next House will gather to de-
termine who shall be Speaker and who
floor leader of the maj jority, and to
perfect the organization generally.
One of the most significant develop
ments of the day was the attempt by
the Pennsylvania Republicans. the larg-
est single block of Republican mem
bcrs in the House, twenty nine to
make deal with the Gilett forces by
which Pennsylvania twenty-nine votes
would be cast for Gllett, and the New
York and New England votes now
lined up for Gillett would be cast for
representative Graham, of Phladel-
phia. as floor leader of the Repuoli-
cans.
A poll of the New York delegation
made to-day was said to show nineteen
certain votes for Gillett, four for
Manu. and one so far not ascertained.
With the twenty-seven votes pledged
to Gillet from New England, this New
York strength gives him a very sub
stantial nucleus, particularly as the In
which is already on record as against
Mann, as told in The Tribune on Sun
day, has bound itself to the unit rule.
Favorable to Proposal
Tho significance Of the move on the
IL II L
preaching the Gillett people with a
proposal to do business is regarded
in the House as striking, and has con-
vinced many members who have been
wondering which way the band wagon
lay that the canny Pennsy ylvanians
have discovered it.
Several members of the New York
delegation who have been working for
Gillett. said to-day that they were very
favorably disposed to the Pennsylvania
PROPOSAL. Mr.. Graham, who is a lawyer
in Philadelphia, Of conceded keenness,
is highly regarded in the House, and
while he has not been as active as some
ether members, due to his frequent
absences on legal business, it Is said
that he would if elected floor leader be
willing to make that his job and ar
range to be in Washington all the time
Congress was in session.
The Graham proposal was. neverthe-
less, a surprise, as it had been thought
that the Pennsy sylvanians would want
something more than the honor of haN-
ing the floor leader for their twenty
nine votes. Naturally, there are a few
rretty fair plums in the way of patron
age in the House to be divided, and
every delegation is on the lookout for
al of these it can pull down.
The Pennsylvania delegation met to-
day prior to the general caucus, and a
motion was made by Representative
resentative Moore for Speaker. Mr..
Moore himself changed this motion, to
delay action until after the caucus.
Moore Seeks Chairmanship
The delegation is not proposing to
90 to Moore as a real candidate for
Speaker, since Mr.. Moore's ambition is
not to be Speaker but to be chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee, on
which he ranks second, next to Ford
ney. of Michigan.
There is a considerable fight against
Fordney, based on the assumption that
he is a reactionary, which has been
lining up the Michigan delegation TO
Mann for Speaker.
The original plan of tying the dele
CATION up to Moore was to keep it
intact for trading purposes which
viii probably be done in q day OF two,
unless the deal with the Gillett forces
should be consummated at once.
In the New York delegation the
Calder and antCalder forces alike are
lined up for Gulett. There will be
four votes for Mann, however.
The New York delegation will meet
on Friday, after a dinner tomorrow
night to settle who shall be the New
y York Republican member Of the Ways
and Means Committee. Representa-
tves Mott and Gould are the rival
candidates, with the chances appar-
emily favoring Gould's election.