Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-05-01
CONGRESSIONAL
The Williams Cannon Dispute.

~
The Wiiliams-canno Dispute.
When the house started in on last
weeks work Leader Williams Of the
minority rose to a question of privilege
and explained wherein he disapproved
the action of the speaker in declaring
the house adjourned April 10 without
needing the demand of the minority
leader for division. While assuring
the house that the difference of opinion
on this question had not broken the
personal friendship between himself
and Cannon, he could not too emphat-
ically express his dissent He feared
that long exercise of power had bred
in Cannon intolerance of opposition
and disposition ito regard the per-
Torrance Of his official duties as q
jest" He felt sure that the speaker
would acknowledge his error. He then
moved resolution, saying that the
speakers action constituted breach
of the privileges Of the house affecting
the dignity and safety Of Its proceed
ings."
The speaker replied in his own de-
Tense, saying that the rules were to
be observed under normal conditions,
but that exceptions were provided for,
one being that no dilatory motion shall
be entertained. Then, recounting the
facts Of the minority's long filibuster,
he said that he felt justified in assum-
Ing that the call for a division on the
motion to adjourn at the end of a long
days work was dilatory.
Must Probe the Paper Trust.
The resolution introduced by Speaker
Cannon to appoint committee of six
to obtain information as to the reason
for the increased price of white paper
was passed by the strict party vote Of
1874 to ITO April 81. Both Williams
and De Almond on the Democratic side
denounced the action as nm attempt to
pull the wool over the eyes of thou
sands of publishers. Williams chal-
lenged the speaker to let the free pulp
bill come to vote, saying he dared
not do 1t, knowing that it would be
passed. Dalzell and Sherman replied,
saying that information must precede
intelligent action.
Next day Speaker Cannon and his
lieutenants received telegram from
the American Newspaper Publishers
association, in session at New York.
asking in the name Of the seventh lar
gest industry in the United States that
the Stevens bill be put to vote. Can
non did not reply, but Williams did,
asking that the association get the
speaker to recognize any one to move
the consideration of the bill and assur-
ing them that it would pass.
Still After More Warships.
Notwithstanding that the senate COM
mittee on naval affairs had reported
the naval bill with provision for two
new battleships just as it came from
the house. the friends of the president
in the senate were said to be actively
working for the four battleship pro-
gramme. The committee added $3.50.
O31 to the bill. making the total SILL
546549. The Pacific cruise was dis
cussed, and Bacon deplored the ex-
pense Of it. while Money said that if
we are to hold the Philippines we must
keep the feet in the Pacific. Lodge and
Beyeridge made the discovery that the
house bill had failed to appropriate a
dollar for the two new battleships au-
thorized.
On motion of Hale 100000 was
made Immediately available for the
construction of warships. Piles moved
that the number Of battleships be in
creased to four, and on the fate of the
amendment the strength Of the presi-
dent was to receive its final test.
Lilley Under the Probe.
Before the house committee investi.
eating the submarine scandal the au.
thor of the charges, Lilley, was ques
toned about letter over his signature
In the Hartford Courant saying that
the committee would "apply the white
wash brush" Lilley sidestepped by
saying that the letter was written by
his secretary. Webster. The latter adj
mitted it. The committee then de
manded all of Lilley's private letters.