Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-17
Predicted Fight by Progress
sives Against Ex-Speaker
Fails to MateriaIize.
GILLETT, NEXT SPEAKER,
HONORS MISSOURIAN
Members of Congress Prepare to Be.
gin Business Promptly Monday.
Important Meetings Tonight.

The membership OF the House spent
today perfecting arrangements SO
that the business OF Congress can
begin promptly on the fall Of the
gavel Monday.
In conference democratic members
reelected Champ Clark as party
leader in the House. The forecast
that a fight would develop against
Mr.. Clark was not sustained.
Mr.. Clark Named by Acclamation.
Mr.. Clark was elected minority
leader by reclamation. When his
name was presented by Representa-
gave him an ovation and this was
repeated when Representative CALI
van of Boston seconded the nomina-
ton.
The first action Of the caucus was to
elect Representative Saunders Of Vir-
democratic cauouses. Representative
hborn of Ohio was elected secre-
tary.
mittee" contented itself with a mo-
ion that q committee Of seven should
be appointe consider the advis-
ility OF electing a steering commit
tee, which motion was unanimously
Pd8Bcu py luG C041GuDs 1uCi t0tiuiC VI
he so-calied progressive element in
the democratic membership to put
through the fight which has been
promised was indicated after con.
Chairman Ge ' Sanders Of Louisiana to
make the motion for Mr.. Clark's cleo
tion.
When Speaker Designate Gillett
takes the oath Of office Monday he
will be sworn in by former Speaker
Cannon. Mr.. Gillett today paid Mr..
Cannon the compliment OF calling on
him in. his office and asking him to
perform this duty.
The republican steering committee
met again today. but. following the
meeting. Mr.. Mondell. who Is ex-of-
ficio chairman. said that matters OF
party policy and procedure only. ana
ceived the attention Of the committee.
Republican Report Tonight.
The republican committee on COM
mittees Is to make it's report to the
republican conference at s o'clock to-
night. At that time an attempt will
be made to enlarge the steering COM
mittee from five to nine members.
The democratic congressional cam
paign committee is to meet tonight at
8 o'clock to fill about a dozen Vacan-
cies on the committee and carry out
other plans Tor Or&dn1ZdtloH
Steering Committee Demands.
House republicans expect their prin-
cipal contest tonight to center about
the demands of forces favoring an
increase from five to nine in the menu
bership Of the party's steering COM
mittee. Leaders of the majority
group predict that the question Will
be settled without difficulty. but Rep
resentative Longworth of Ohio, a
leader in the fight for the change. de-
clared that he would insist on final
action by the conference.
The republican committee on COM
mittees, at meeting yesterday. APP
proved it's assignment of members to
the standing committees of the House.
as we'll as the selection of Repre-
sentative Mondell of wyoming az
son of Minnesota as whip. Despite
this, some republicans suggested that
a fight might be made against Mr..
Knutson.. effort being made In the
Representative Greene Of Vermont.
The attitude Of Mr.. Greene could not
be learned, as he is at sea, returning
from Europe.
Notification Question.
Numerous conferences were held by
both Senate and House leaders yes
terday on plans for the opening ses-
sion. The question Of notifying Pres.
ident Wilson of the assembling OF
Congress was discussed and general
sentiment seemed to favor dispensing
with the usual custom of appointing
notification committees.
Republican Leader Lodge stated
that he expected on Monday to an
nounce members of the republican
committee on committees,
which will make up republican as
signments and deal with the pro-
gressives' opposition to chairman
ships for Senators Penrose of Penn
sylvania and Warren of Wyoming.
Vice President Marshall and Sena-
tor Lodge held a short conference late
Yesterday 1t WAS understood the
method Of procedure when the Senate
convenes on Monday was discussed.