The Irish standard., 1907-02-23
ANGRY lawmakers
NEARLY IN A FIGHT
WARM ALTERcATloN IN THE
HOUSE BETWEEN MACON
AND FITZGERALD.
Postal Bill is Riddled-Arkansas Man
Blocks Salary Increases - Reed
Smoot Addresses Senate in His Own
Behalf.

Washington, Feb. 2O-A heated con-
troversy which at one time seemed to
threaten a personal encounter be-
tween Mr.. Macon Of Arkansas and
Mr.. Fitzgerald of New York, occurred
on the floor Of the house, Tuesday,
when the house had under considera-
ton the post office appropriation bill.
General debate had terminated and
the bill was being read for amend.
ment under the five minute rule.
When the paragraph relating to the
increase of pay for clerks in first and
second class post offices was reached
MI. Macon made a point of order
against the section. There were cries
Of Don't do that" Let it go!"
Mr.. Macon, however, insisted upon a
ruling on his point Of order and refus-
ed to reserve the point
Mr.. Fitzgerald vehemently exclaim-
ed that if the gentleman from Arkan-
sas considered his mission to make
a point of order against the increase,
he would see to it that point was
made against the increase in the pay
for rural carriers, for which the bill
provides. He would have the country
know that the failure to increase the
pay of the rural free delivery car
riers was traceable directly to the oh.
stinacy of Mr.. Macon.
Macon Resents Threat.
Mr.. Macon was on his feet in an
instant. Shaking his finger at Mr.
Fitzgerald he said: "You cannot make
any threats against me- You cannot
use a whip that you will defeat the
increase for rural carriers if insist
upon my point Of order and strike
out the increase for clerks in the big
post offices. l refuse to be castigated
by the gentleman from New York"
After some more heated language
by both, the chairman stopped the
dispute.
The reading of the bill was then re-
sumed and Mr.. Macon made a point
of order against the section in rela-
tion to. the increase for city delivery
carriers. Again there were loud pro.
tests, but the chair sustained the
point Of order. Again and again Mr..
Macon objected and as often the point
was sustained until the bill fgurative-
with shot.
/ smoot Addresses the Senate.
Senator Reed Shoots address to
the senate in defense Of his position
as senator, was the feature Of the ses-
sion. He was supported by Senator
Dillingham; of Vermont, in speech
analytical of the evidence which had
been submitted in the case.
The senate spent several hours in
further consideration of the forestry
provisions in the agricultural appro-
priation bill with the result that
amendments were agreed to which
restrict the operations of the bureau
in several respects.
Volunteer Army Bill.
Washington, Feb. 19.-Senator War
rem, chairman of the senate commit
tee on military affairs, Monday intro
duced bill providing for the raising
Of volunteer army of the United
States during actual or threatened
war. The bill was prepared by the
general staff and is very comprehen-
sive measure, outlining plans for the
organization and mobilization of the
proposed army in minute detail.
1t divides the military establish
ment into three branches, the regular
army, the national guard and the vol
unteer army. 1t provides that the
volunteer army shall be maintained
in time of war and when war is immi-
nent, and that it may be raised by
proclamation by the president after
congress shall have authorized such
act. The extent of the force is to de-
pend upon the emergency and the
troop are to be raised in the various
states In proportion to their popula-
ton.