Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-04
GAGL LA w IS
APPLIED nv
THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE RULE ADOPTED
AMID DISORDER
DEMOCRATS RESUME DILAToRY
TACTICS
Minority Leader Williams Declares He
VIII Not Be ntimdated-Breach
Between Party Factions
Wider Than Ever

WASHINGTON. April 3.-When the
house of representatives adjourned late
today the breach between the majority
and minority parties was, If anything,
wider than ever.
The leaders on both sides arrived on
the scene early. apparently none the
worse for the parliamentary struggle
of the night before. The Democrats
resumed dilatory tactics and kept it
up throughout the day. notwithstand-
ing the committee on rules applying
the gag law to general debate on the
District of Columbia law appropriation
bill, which was in order for consider
alton. The rule was adopted amid
great disorder and only after the Dem
ocrats had exhausted every parlia-
mentary move which they could make
to obstruct its final disposition.
In presenting the rule Mr.. Dalzell of
Pennsylvania repeated the threat of
majority leader Payne that henceforth
the remainder of the session the Demo-
Gratis would find themselves out in
the cold. Minority Leader williams,
full of defiance, announced that he was
not to be intimidated. He told the
Republicans again what they could ex-
pect from his side of the house, and
exhorted his Democratic colleagues to
stand together and apply all the power
of which the minority was possessed
in order to force the Republicans to
action.
Democrats Force Roll Call
The two hours allowed by the rule
for general debate on the district bill
having been consumed, the house. at
6:42 p. M, adjourned, but only after
the Democrats had forced a roll call.
There was a slight attendance of
members when the house convened,
due to the strenuous session of yester-
day, which ran far into the night.
Both Messrs. Payne and Williams, the
majority and minority leaders, how
ever were on hand prepared for the
further parliamentary struggle which
was soon again under way.
1t was precipitated by a motion by
Mr.. Payne for the approval of the
journal of yesterdays proceedings.
On that motion. usually treated as
formality. the roll call was forced
by Mr.. Williams. The call served to
bring out the full strength of both
parties. Having accomplished their
purpose of obstruction, the Democrats
Joined the Republicans in voting for
the approval of the journal, the propo-
sition being carried-yeas 267: nays, g.
Because he was denied by the speak
er an opportunity to make a brief
statement, in connection with the sup
Elementary urgency deficiency bill
which Mr.. Tawney of Minnesota called
up Mr. Williams objected to it's con-
sideration. thereby forcing another roll
call and again the Democrats voted in
the affirmative, along with the Repub-
licans. The house agreed to consider
the bill-yeas. 266; nays, 1.
In explaining the senate amendments
Mr.. Tawney said that one of them was
for $50,000 for transportation of con-
tract surgeons and other officers of the
army.
Reference to Metcalf
A charge by Mr.. fitzgerald that the
secretary of the navy had not acted in
good faith, in that he recently fur
loughed many men of the Washington
navy yard in the face of his estimate
for a $2,000,000 deficiency which was
about to be granted, brought forth a
rejoinder by Mr.. Tawney. He referred
to the present filibuster and said that
the secretary, who once was a member
of the house, being familiar with SINH
lar tactics, no doubt felt that it would
be several months before the money
was obtained.
The flibuster then was renewed Mr..
Tawney moving the previous question
that general debate close. The years
and nays were demanded by Mr. Will
liams, and the roll call accordingly fol-
lowed for the third time.
Later in the day Mr.. Williams re-
stated his policy as minority leader for
the remainder of the session. He
charged Messrs. Payne and Dalzell
with having used "some rather strong
language" The Democrats, he said.
had been held up as filibusters by the
country, but he denied this was so. Mr..
Williams declared the Democrats had
broken no quorum either in the house
or the committee on rules. land no
body is better aware of the fact than
those gentlemen who have used that
language"
Trying to Force Legislation
"We," he said, amid Democratic ap-
plause and Republican laughter, have
been engaged in the business of try
ing to force legislation"
Mr.. Williams said he did not want to
be understood as complaining. but he
asserted that the minority would ex-
haust every power it had under the
rules.
"It WILL" he said, addressing the. Re-
publicans, Exhaust every power 1t
has under every special rule that you
have the power to bring into this
house to force out OF you. if 1t can,
legislation in the Interest Of the peo-
ple."
The Republican leaders, he charged,
dare not permit certain measures
which the president, the Democrats
and the country were demanding for
fear a majority of the Republican par
tv of the house would adopt them. He
smoke of the employers liability bill
reported by the committee on judiciary
and remarked that he was glad to see
"a fruits"
Facing his colleagues, he exclaimed;
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