Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-06
TRUCE IN THE HOUSE
FiIibuster by the Democrats Is
Suspended.
SUPPORT THE REPUBLICA
Employers Liability Bill Passed
With One Dissent.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM THE CREDIT
Floor Leader Payne Ridicules the
Pretensions in the Matter Of the
Minority Leader.
SUPPORT THE REPUBLICANS
BOTH SIDES CLAIM THE CREDIT

voting present-the House of Represent
atives today passed the Sterling en-
ployers' liability bill. Every member OF
the House in attendance upon today's
session voted for the bill with the ex-
ception Of Representative Littlefield OF
Maine. who voted mo-" and the eight
members who recorded themselves as
present. but not voting.
When under suspension of the rules the
House took up for consideration the bill
the democrats broke out into loud ap-
plause and handclapping when the reading
of the measure had been concluded.
Mr. Sterling explained. the provisions OF
the measure. the main features of which
were published when 1t was reported out
of committee.
packer. Mr.. Sterling stated that the bill
would be applicable to interurban car
lines between states and street railroad
lines in the territories and the District
of Columbia.
The democrats applauded Mr.. Henry.
Texas when he said the bill was merf-
torious and constitutional one. and that
not a democrat vote would be recorded
against it. He hoped no republican would
vote against it. although he said Mr.
Littlefield. Maine was opposed to it.
In the opinion Of Mr.. Littlefield. section
3 Of the bill. relating to actions at law
in cases of cohtributory negligence. is an
innovation Of existing laws. He made le-
gal argument in support of his contention
and declared that the bill is now open
to the same objection that was raised
against the act declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court Of the United
States.
Williams Expresses Qualification.
The measure was passed under suspen-
sion Of the rules. and for the time being
the democratic filibuster went out Of bust
ness, the employers liability bill being
one Of the measures the delay in report
ing which caused Representative John
Sharp Williams of Mississippi. the mi
nority leader. to start that now famous
filibuster.
OF course both republicans and demo-
Gratis claim credit for the report of the
bill today. the republicans insisting that
the democratic filibuster had nothing
whatever to do with the report Of the
measure. and the democrats insisting that
but for their fllfbustering the bill would
still be sleeping In the judiciary COM
mittee.
Only twenty minutes on a side was per-
mitted for debate under suspension of the
rules but in that time many one. two and
three minute speeches were made. Mr..
Littlefield after unanimous consent to Of
fer a couple Of amendments, which was
refused by Representative Sterling OF -
linois In charge of the measure. explained
the points on which he disagreed with the
bill in it's present form.
Mr.. Williams, in commenting upon the
bill. said, I'VE welcome the opportunity
Of illustrating to the country how happily
and speedily we can join IN the passage
position to this bill. It will be on the
republican side Of the House." Then Mr.:
Williams improved the little time he had
remaining to read newspaper editorial
ndin0 the democratic filihlStar.
Mr.. Payne's Retort.
Floor leader Payne of the republicans
took crack at John Sharp.
ITO illustrate the tactics OF the other
side," said he. "they delayed the passage
Of this bill half an hour by demanding
roll call on the approval Of the journal
1.-THE gentleman from Mississippi" he
said. seems to think he will make the
country believe that because every time
he says I say this to the House and to
the country he can make the country
ton is by the useless demand for roll calls
and delay in performing the functions of
the House and passing the supply bills
that must be passed"
He declared that Mr.. Williams had no
more to do with the bringing about OF
the report from the committee or the
consideration of the measure than the
boys on the street. It has been, he said
the settled purpose of the majority to
bring the bill before Congress. Mr.. Payne
feared the bill would meet the same fate
with the Supreme Court as did the for
mer law. but, he said. he would vote for
1t. nevertheless, as he had voted for the
previous bill.
And" he added. I'VE will go on with
the legislation of this country, and the
majority will decide in their own time
and without any let or hindrance from
the gentleman from Mississippi and the
voting trust which. it is reported. he or
ganized last Saturday to stop legislation"
same. he said and write in the statute
books just what they desired to write.
Then after a few more rapid-fire talks
the bill was put on its passage, William
Bill Sulzer of New York demanding the
yeas and nays, which resulted in the vote
previously given.