The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
GILLETT assure
OF SPEAKERSHIP
AS FESS YIELDS
Ohio Man Withdraws, Sup
porters Going to Bay
State Candidate.
HAS VOTES TO SPARE
Mann's Defeat Assured, but
Important Post Will Be
Given to Him. .
PARTY HARMONY MOTIVE
National Chairman Takes Part
in Conference That Decides
Upon Action.
HAS VOTES TO SPARE
PARTY HARMONY MOTIVE
Special Despdfch TO Tup suy.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2o.-Representa-
tive Frederick Gillett Of Massachusetts,
will be Speaker of the Sixty-sixth Con-
gress, and he may have the unanimous
Endorsement of the Republicans in the
House.
Mr.. Gillett's election was assured to-
night when Representative Simeon ID.
Fess of Ohio. following a consultation
with Ohio and Indiana leaders, an
nounced his withdrawal from the con-
test. This means that Ohio and In
diana will vote solidly for Mr.. Gillett.
that a large part Of the remainder OF
Fess's strength will do likewise, and
that Gillett will have votes to spare
over the 120 necessary-to election.
DR.. Fess announced his withdrawal In
the following statement:
'In the interest OF party solidarity
dependent on continued harmony which
now characterises the party. I have
withdrawn from the Speakership con-
test and hereby release my friends from
any and all pledges in my support. I
am deeply grateful to them and to the
press for the cordial support proffered.
MY action is wholly based upon my
sense of duty to the party which Is
paramount to every other consideration"
Flags Figure in Conference.
The conference at which DR.. Fess's
by National Chairman Hays, DR.. Fess
r,tr
field Of Indiana. McCulloch of Ohio and
Siemp of Virginia. Al this meeting the
latest available figures from tho Gtslstt
camp we're gone over carefully with a
view to learning whether the proposed
withdrawal OF MT Fess would insure
| Mr. GIllett's election. 1t was shown
| clearly that, given Ohio and Indiana, Mr..
| Gillett would count on 11s votes wit
out considering Pennsylvania. where Mr..
! Gillett will have upward of twenty-five
votes.
DIR. Fess has made II clear to friends
| from the start of the Speakership cam
paign that he was IN perfect accord
with the general feeling that Mr.. Mann :
defeat is a party necessity and that he
would not let his candidacy initiate in
Mr.. Manns favor. When the Gillett fg-
ures demonstrated that his withdrawal
would insure the election of Gillett he
took the step he has for some days
been considering
From now until the party conference
next Thursday. national leaders and the
Gillett element In the House will devote
themselves to an attempt to procure the
withdrawal OF Mr.. Mann in the interes,
OF party harmony.
New Post for Mr.. Mann.
This was discussed at a meeting o.
Gillett leaders tonight and several plans
OF REORGANIZATION we're suggested In
which a place commensurate with his
legislative and parliamentary training
and experience would be given TO Mr.
Mann.
One of these plans proposes a concen-
tration in one committee OF all the
standing committees on expenditures II
Government departments and the vest
ing In such a committee under Mr.
Mann's chairmanship OF the broadest In
quisltorial powers with relation to tn,
conduct OF the war. The chairmanshiy
of such a committee and the respons!
bility of conducting such an investiga
ton, the proponents of this plan urge
would be second in Importance to M
position at the disposal of the majorit,
and would offer the best possible fielC
for Mr.. Mann's legislative eXperienc,
and capacity as an investigator.
a second proposal involves formula
ton of a budget committee with Mr.
Mann at it's head. Still a third pro
poses the organization of a committe
on railroads under Mr.. Mann's chair
manship.
Mr.. Manns leaders probably will no
be ready to concede Mr.. Gillett's election
) until Pennsylvania has taken publicly
/ stand for Gillett. The action OF Di
; Fess. however. will, 1t is believed. brln
the situation to head in the Pennsyl
vania delegation. A meeting has bee
called for next Wednesday and at tha
time 1t is not improbable that the ,ne'
members will be present in person or b
proxy and that the delegation will an
nounce In favor of Gillet:.