The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-03-18

FRANCHISE
Senators Amused by an Alleged
Hole They Have Fallen
Into.

WASHINGTON, March Is. - With
the paraphernalia for playing jai alai,
game which figures conspicuously
In the contest against the conirma-
ton Of General Leonard Wood to be
major general, the members of the
United States senate amused them
selves for more than an hour, protect
ed from the gaze Of the public by the
closed doors Of an executive session.
A lively interest was manifested in
the game. 1t was stated by members
Of the committee that the game viii be
introduced at the ST. Louis exposition.
Senators Proctor, COckrell, Quarles.
Foraker, Teller, Scott, Pettus, Black
burn and others, who participated in
the hearings before the military af-
fairs committee, where the game was
explained by experts, were the ex-
ponents Of jai alS.
Senators Cockrell and Foraker, who
have paid extensive visits to Cuba
while the ''pelota" season was ut its
height, explained that the gambling
features Of the game are not essential
to its adoption by the Cubans, while
Senators Blackburn, Scott and Teller
contended that without then betting
privileges the jai alai company would
not have made application to General
Wood for the concession to erect a
building as headquarters for the game.
The spectacle Of senators grasping the
basket rackets IN their hands and ges-
ticulating in their efforts to illustrate
the manner of throwing the ''pelota"
ball I'm real play was so unusual that
1t came nearer holding a quorum than
have any Of the fiery speeches that
have been made for or against Gener-
al Woods confirmation.
After the executive session had adj
journed a group OF senators gathered
in the middle of the chamber and Sen
Rtor Blackburn read from the printed
testimony given in the Wood hearing
TO prove that the game is devoted al
most wholly to gambling and that Gen
eral Wood knew this fact when he
granted the franchise TO the company.
The demonstration Of jai alai came
in the last hour Of the session, and
through it all ran discussion OF the
game, in which many senator's partici-
pated.
General Woods defenders scored a
point when Senator Patterson admit
ted that he had spent n day studying
the testimony in regard TO the game
and had come to the conclusion that
1t contained nothing detrimental to
General Woods conduct and no rea-
son for opposition TO his confirmation
The senator said that he had expected
to oppose confirmation on the strength
Of the testimony against General Wood,
but that more urgent reason than
that must be advanced.
In regard to jail alai the principal
speakers were Senators Culberson, Pat
terson, Teller, Hoar Proctor and Black
burn. Senator Proctor, the acting
chairman of the committee on military
affairs, had made requisition on the
war department for the appurtenances
" the game. and when the hearings
had been concluded he decided to keep
The articles at his office to use in the
event the members OF the senate were
Interested. In addition to the equip
ment for the game he had picture of
4 pelota court showing General Wood
and three companions enjoying the
game
Senator Quarles resumed his speech
IN support of the nomination when the
senate went into executive session. 1t
mad been expected that Senator Teller
would follow, hut general discussion
was had instead Senator Foraker
will speak in defense Of General Wood
and will occupy most Of the day This
will carry the case over until tomor-
row night at least, ms Senator's Teller
and Alger both are scheduled for
speeches.