The sun., 1919-02-06
G.. 0. P. TO ORGANIZE
HOUSE ON FEB. 27
Leaders Feel Mann Faces Ger
tain Defeat as Result
Of Beefsteak.
GILLETT IS IN THE LEAD
Craftsmanship Of Ways and
Means Committee Is Big
Issue Before Party.
specia, De.patcs 10 Tn. sux.

Special Despatch 10 Tar srS.
WAsHINGroN, Feb. 5.---For the hr't
timb in ten years the Republican party
will set about the politically. delectable
task OF organizing the House on Feb
ruary q. A merry battle is promised,
with the dwindling forces behind the
Speakership candidacy OF James Mann
(1ll.) striving frantically TO shake OF
the burden OF ono horse and n three
pound beefsteak received from Swift g.
co. some years back, and recently resur-
rected by Francis J. Heney before the
Senate Committee on Agriculture.
A party conference late this afternoon
adopted a resolution naming February
81 as nc date for determining the
Speakershp, patronage and other aues-
lions The resolution was offered by
Mr.. Mann and adopted with little discus
sion. 1t reads:
"Resolred, That the Republican
mepbers-elect OF the House in the Six
ty-sIxth Congress meet on February
81 at s o'clock r. NJ. for organization
purposes and that the chairman and
secretary send notices requesting tho
attendance OF all members-elect."
While the election Of the Speaker, hli-
ing the Offices OF clerk. sergeant-at
arms and doorkeeper and the election OF
a Committee on Committees will be the
questions. Immediately before the con-
ference. the decisions OF the conference
will settle the questions of floor leader
ship and the craftsmanship OF the Ways
and Means Committee as we'll. as these
are now inextr!cably tied UP with the
Speakership fight.
Fight on Mann and FOrdney.
The nrst involve. replacing Mr.. Mann
whether he is defeated for the Speaker
ship or not. while the second involves
a determined effort TO displace Repre-
sentative Fordney (Mich). the present
ranking Republican on the Ways and
Means Committee.
Representative McFadden. secretary
OF the Pennsylvania delegation, called a
meeting OF the Pennsylvania members
to-day to sound Speakership sentiment.
The Pennsylvania delegation feels that
Its vote will he pivotal in the present
contest between Representatives Mann
and Gillett 1Mass), and while the ten
dency is strongly in favor OF the latter
Pennsylvania representatives are ad-
verse to committing themselves without
some assurance as to the effect Of their
action upon the questions OF moor leader
ship and the chairmanship OF Ways and
Means.
A resolution offered by Representative
Graham CPa.). committing the delega-
ton to support Representative J. Hamp-
ton Moore tPa.) was withdrawn at the
request of Mr.. Moore and the meeting
adjourned without action Failure to
announce support OF Mr.. Mann's candi-
dacy. however. was regarded as marking
the latters last chance TO get the Penn
sylvania delegation, and this in connel-
ton with the antiMann resolution
adopted by the Indiana delegation IS re-
garded even by friends OF the Illinois
candidate as a serious blow.
In connection with the meeting OF the
Pennsylvanians to-day Il became known
that strong pressure is being brought TO
bear upon Representative Graham to
adopt a receptive attitude toward the
floor leadership This proposal origi-
mated in the middle West among in
huences hostile to Mann. but unwilling
to support Mr.. Gillett without some as
surance as TO the organization o. the
House under him.
Chance for Combination.
"a" that II Mr. Graham would agree 10
accept the floor leadership under Mr.. Gil
lett. a combination OF strength behind
the latter would be possible. 1t Is gen
orally conceded that such a combination
would elect the Massachusetts, man on
an early ballot.
When Representative George w. Fair
child On. W. leaves Congress at the
erd OF this session the Republicans on
II -
lose the only member with broad bust
ness experience. OF the four holdover
Republican members not one has had
anything like 2 broad training in hush
utsS,
This fast Is giving party leaders pause
for thought in connection with the i'm
pending task OF building up a strong
arG competent revenue writing commit
tee for the Sixty-sixth Congress, par
ticularly as business interests have IA Ike II
"A hand IN the problem and are insisting
| that members OF the committee. with
! which the nations business has the most
| intimate concern, shall he qualified to
! speak the same language" as their
| clients
Representatives OF commerce. who ex-
pect 10 be consulted Ia the settlement Of
revenue and tariff problems incident TO
reconstruction legislation. take the posi-
| ton that the most competent safeguard
| gainst bad conference agreements, SINH
! lar to the Payne Aldrich bill! as finally
| approved lies in an intelligent member
! ship of the committee.
II the~present division Of strength be-
| tween ma joritv and minority continues
/ In the next Congress the Republicans
must name eight and possibly nine new
members on the committee The four
, followers in order or seniority are Rep
resentatives Fordney CMich. Moore
! CPaD. Green (Iowa) and Longw orth
| tOhio). all virtually without extensive
| business training.
ASKS WAR RISK FUND.