Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-14
HIGH TENSION IN DEBATE
House Democrats Continue Washing Dirty
Linen for Amusement Of Republicans
BITTER ATTACK ON MINORITY LEADER
Lamar of Florida and shacl<IefOrd Of
Missouri Denounce Distribution
of Committee Appoint
mcnts.

WASHINGTON. Dec 13.-The washing
OF democratic linen for the amusement Of
republicans" as Mr. Williams. the minor
ity leader. put It Monday. occupied the at
tention of tho house for more than four
hours today. The result accomplished was
a def thrown at the minority leader by
Representative Lamar OF Florida and an
other by Representative Shackleford Of
Missouri. The complaint OF both resulted
from the failure Of Nj. Williams to recon-
mend their reappoin;ment as member of
committee en- Interstate and foreign com-
nerce Both made long speeches in which
MFR. Williams leadership was assailed from
many points Mr. Williams replied to Mr..
Lamar at some length and briefly to Mr..
Shackleford. His defense was that last ses-
sion the democrats on this committee were
divided and he deemed It necessary for the
good of the party and country that a united
minority report should be made on the sub
jet Of railroad rate legislation.
At times there was high tension in the
debate. Mr.. Lamar was particularly bitter
in his criticism and openly declared that
his heretofore personal friendship for Mr..
Williams was forever at an end unless the
criticism OF himself were retracted. He.
however. would recognize Mr.. Williams as
the party leader.
Mr.. shackleford denounced all bosses and
placed himself entirely INDEPENDENT of party
leadership in the house. The subject under
discussion was the committee distribution
Of the annual message OF President Roose-
Welt.
At the conclusion OF the democratic de-
bate this had not been accomplished and
he house adjourned.
Mondeu and miller Change,
when the house met today Speaker Cam
non announced the transfer of Representa-
i've Mondell tWyo) from the committee
on military affairs to the public lands,
and of Mr.. Miller (Kan.) from public lands
10 military affairs. The transfer gives the
Two members the same committee assign
ments they had in the last congress.
Committee reference of the annual mes
sage of President Roosevelt was made
according TO subjects treated. The aues-
ton OF federal control of insurance was
assigned to the committee on ways and
means. In explanation Of this Mr.. Payne
said that in his opinion the only way the
United States can deal with insurance COM
panies is through the taxing power. and
over this the ways and means committee
has jurisdiction.
what was done with that weighty sub
icct of election expense?" queried Mr..
cochran CNew York;.
1T went to the committee on thc cleo
tion OF president, vice president aud MEM
bers OF congress- replied Mr.. Payne.
Rewriting to the insurance question Mr..
Mann asked Mr.. Payne IL the committee
On Interstate and foreign commerce would
not have Jurisdiction should 1t be deter
mined that insurance could be regulated as
commerce. This was for the public to de-
tcrmine. replied Mr.. Payne.
Objection to sending the insurance ques-
lion to ways and means committee was
made by Mr.. Hepburn Ua.).
Mr.. Hepburn maintained that the COM
merce clause OF the constitution gave con-
gress power TO control insurance.
Lamar Attacks williams.
Mr.. Lamar CFla.) was recognized and
reverted to the question OF committee ap-
continents he had referred to on Mon
lay. ff.
Mr.. williams. the minority leader, at
'nce left his seat and took up place near
Mr.. Lamar. Speaking OF the leadership
~ Mr. Williams. Mr.. Lamar said he would
recognize him as the party leader but not
personally until he relieves me of an
unjust charge on his part"
He stated that he did not agree with
Mr.. Williams that republicans would en-
10Y personalities between democrats. EN-
phasizing this he referred to the personal
debate of last session between Mr.. Sullivan