The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-26
Question Of Vtracib Between
Them Throws Entire Body
Into Confusion
COOPER WANTED VOTE ON
THE EXPRESS AMENDMENT
Charges Hepburn With Saying That
the Amendment Would Finally Be
Stricken From the Rail-
road Bill.

Washington, May 25.-In the House of
Representatives today question of vera
city was raised between Mr.. Cooper of
Wisconsin and Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa. over
a conversation in which the latter is al
legged to have participated with a senator
and In which Mr.. Cooper asserted Mr.
Hepburn and the senator agreed that the
so-called express company amendment"
to the railroad rate bill should be set
aside. Mr.. Hepburn and Mr. Cooper be-
came angry and glared at each other
fercely.
The House was turbulent during the
consideration of the rule sending the rate
bill to conference, many of the members
fearing the rule to disagree to the Senate
amendments en- bloc, might give the con-
ferees an opportunity to vote out the ex-
press company, pipe lines and sleeping
Car amendments.
With the assurance that the wishes of
the House would be considered on all the
amendments, the rule was adopted, twen-
ty-fve republicans voting with the demo-
Gratis. taking the position that they would
like to vote in favor of concurring in the
Senate amendments. The remainder of
the day was devoted to pension legisla-
tion.
DalzelI Gives Opinion.
Immediately after the approval of the
journal in the House today Mr.. Dalzell
of Pennsylvania reported rule from tie
committee on rules providing that the rail-
road rate bill, with the Senate amend
ments be sent to conference. Mr.. Dalzell
demanded the previous question and the
roll was called.
The previous question having been or
dered on the rule, yeas 152, nays SO, pres
ent 15. Mr.. Dalzell explained that the
resolution was simply for the purpose of
sending the railroad rate bill TO confer
ence.
Mr.. Norris of Nebraska wanted TO know
If the House would have chance to vote
on separate amendments.
Mr.. Dalzell replied that the rule was
pnly intendedto facilitate business and that
there would be ample opportunity to dis
cuss the conference report.
Like Clap of Thunder.
A clap of thunder came from an unex-
pected quarter. Mr.. Cooper of Wisconsin
wanted to know what objection there was
to letting the House pass on the amend
ments now.
He said: LET us vote on the express
company amendment" applause on both
sldes).
Mr. Dalzell replied that the House could
easily nonconcur in the conference re-
port and instruct the conferees as to the
wishes of the House. Then Mr.. Cooper, in
it,1pr eli ma
had been informed by a gentleman in
whose integrity he had the fullest con-
fidence that some gentlemen. he would
not say whether they were members of
the House. had agreed that the express
company amendment should go out of the
bill.
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa jumped to his feet.
exclaimng that he did not take any stock
in what one member said to another on
matters of this kind. 'Will you state the
names of the persons who have thus de-
clared themselves?" called out Mr.. Hep
burn.
Mr.. Cooper: "Oh, I do not want to Of
fend, especially the gentleman from
Iowa.
Mr., Hepburn: "Oh, you can't offend me
by answering that question
a'Mr. Cooper: Il am not going to name
men who come to me and tell me mat
ters in confidence. The gentleman from
Iowa places me in an embarrassing posi-
tion, but since he asks me will say that
he is said to have remarked in conversa-
tom oh, the express company amend
ment will go out.
Hepburn Shakes His Fist.
Mr.. Hepburn, greatly wrought up and
exceedingly nervous, replied: Amy man
who told the gentleman that Shaking his
act at MI COoner) told a falSehOOd, and
until the gentleman from Wisconsin
names the individual who made this state
rnent to him / shall hold that the gen.
aleman is drawing on his imagination"
Mr.. williams: Il call the gentleman
from Iowa to order for his language
Mr.. Hepburn: II withdraw the lam
guage which is fensive to the gentle
man from Mississippi
MIR. Williams: 1T was not offensive to
me; 1t was offensive to the House and
contrary to the rules.
Intense excitement prevailed. The
sneaker pounded for order but to no pur-
pose.
When he could be heard above the up
roar. Mr.. Cooper said that he was not the
only gentleman to whom similar state
ments were made
"There are other members of the House
to whom they have been made. and there
10 no purpose no object on my part 10 de-
liberatey misrepresent that statement.
Mr. Hepburn. "Why don't you say Whc
/. was who told you that?'
Mr.. Cooper responded by saying tha,
he could not understand why the gentle
man asked the question unless he had
heard the rumor going around.
This closed the colloquy.
Crazy Inventor After President.
No oil