A House Divided

For the first time in 13 years, Democrats had less than a numerical majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The turning point came in two Pennsylvania special elections last week. Republicans held one seat, took another away from the Democrats.

The socialite suburban 17th District outside Philadelphia elected a Main Line investment banker, Samuel K. McConnell Jr., 42, to succeed a fellow Republican. The city's heterogeneous Second District (including a Negro section and fashionable Rittenhouse Square) has been edging back toward the Republican column in recent elections. Last week it replaced a Democrat with Joseph M. Pratt, 52, floodlight manufacturer and G.O.P. ward boss.

The Democrats now have 217 seats in the House. The other 218 include 209 Republicans, two Progressives, one Farmer-Laborite, one American Laborite, five vacancies.

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