The news & observer., 1905-12-12
WILLIAMS ON THE
LID JUST IN TIME
"DemOCratiC Linen Won't
be Washed. "
TO AMUSE THE RAIDS
DECIDEDLY Interesting Situation in Con-
gress. In the Midst of Confusion
Speaker Cannon Declared the
Session Adjourned Until
Wednesday.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Dec. 11.-Mr Will
liams, the minority leader of the
House stepped on the lid today just
in time to prevent relations in the ma
ture of open criticism of the committee
assignments of certain of his col
leagues for which he is responsible.
Mr.. Payne, the Republican leader,
suggested a way by which the revela-
tions might be made, but Mr.. Will
liams assumed all responsibility and
declined to allow the washing of
Democratic linen for the amusement
of Republicans
The incident followed the announce
ment Of committecs Mr.. Lamar. of
Florida, submitted and had read a
newspaper clipping purporting to
quote Mr. Williams to the effect that
Mr.. Lamar and Mr.. Shackleford (Mo)
had been left off the Interstate and
foreirn commerce because they had
failed to follow the Democratic caucus
action of last session on the railroad
rate bill. Speaker Cannon suggested
that the statement read did not con-
stitute a question of personal privilege
which entitled Mr.. Lamar to the floor
THE gentleman might proceed by
unanimous consent" " suggested Mr.
want-an hOur?'
1t was here that Mr. Williams strobe
forward from his seat in the rear. He
hailed the speaker with word and ges,
ture. and when he got his eve he he
served his right to object only long
enough to make the statement that in
the interest of Democratic harmony
effectiveness and of general good Will,
which will not be promoted by washing
of the Republican of the House, u
object
Immediatelv the situation became
decidedly interesting. Mr.. Lamar
faced Mr.. Williams who stood close to
him and charged him with taking the
matter into the newspaper. MI.
Shackleford was on his feet vainly de-
manding to as a question and many
Democrats a1plauded the stand taken
bv Mr.. Williams. Mr.. Lamar de-
manded that Mr.. Williams call DEM
ocratic caucus tomorrow or allow him
to proceed Speaker Cannon welded
his gavel vigorously and declared
everybody out of order, and in the
midst of the confusion recognized Mr.
Hayne for a motion to adjourn, which
was declared carried and the session
was over until Wednesday,
During the confusion Mr.. Lamar
| SAID. MI. speaker, ne Welt ~ 'liC
newspapers wit it and now he objects
| to consideration here. But | have got
| il before the House and the House Will
understand it,"
Before this incident the session hah
proceeded without a hitch. The unan-
| imous consent necessary to increase
| the size of the lar~er committees had
| been given. and in this manner the
| increased membership of the House
land increased Republican representa-
| tion had been provided committee
| places The Democrats had lost no
committee places but had made a
gain of one, all of which Mr.. Williams
| had declared satisfactory TO the mi
nority. AS an indication Of the inten-
| ton to begin work at once, several of
| the committees gained permission TO
have printing done and to sit during
| the sessions of the House. The ses-
sion today lasted tifty-fiVe minutes.
Railroad Rate Bill.
Representative Adamson (Ga). a
member of the Interstate Commerce
| Commission. introduced railroad rate
| bill today which provides for the fix
| ing of Interstate rates for all COM
mon carriers by the Interstate Conn
merce Commission. The bill includes
| ferries, private car and refrigerator
lines under the definition of common
| carries