HARRISBURG -- State House Democracts today selected Rep. Keith McCall of Carbon County as their choice to become the House speaker in January.

Since Democrats will control the House, Mr.McCall should be elected in January unless some Democrats defect at the last minute. He was unopposed in the Democratic caucus and would succeed Rep. Dennis O'Brien of Philadelphia, a Republican how was a compromise candidate for House speaker when Democrats had a one-vote margin two years ago and couldn't muster enough suport for any Democrat.

In the battle for majority leader, Todd Eachus of Luzerne County received about 2/3rds of the vote to defeat Rep. Frank Dermody of Oakmont and Rep. Kathy Manderino of Philadelphia.

The current majority leader, Bill DeWeese of Waynesburg, was elected theparty whip, the No. 3 job in the caucus. He received 55 votes to defeat was opposed by Bill Keller of Philadelphia with 21 votes; Joe Preston of East Liberty with 15; and Reps. Peter Daley of Washington County with 10.

Unopposed for Appropriations Committee chairman is Rep. Dwight Evans of Philadelphia, who now has the job.