The Washington herald., 1909-03-19

Representative De Almond. OF Missouri.
donned his old-time war clothes in the
House Of Representatives yesterday and
delivered q scathing denunciation Of the
rules OF the House which permit the
Speaker TO control legislation in which
he Is interested.
The clash was brought about by the
attempt Of Representative Crumpacker.
chairman Of the Census Committee, to
have the House again pass the census
bill that was vetoed by President Roose-
welt in the closing days OF the last ses-
sion, because It did not provide for ap-
pointments under civil service rules.
Takes Up Gauntlet.
Judge De Almond was quick TO take up
the gauntlet OF the Democrats and object
20 consideration OF the measure, because
there was no Census Committee. Then
Il was that Speaker Cannon got the Com
mittee on Rules together. and a rule
was brought IN allowing the House to
consider the bill without the regular
course Of referring It TO a committee.
Champ Clark. the new member Of the
7 Committee on Rules. was in charge OF
the debate on the side OF the minority.
and as soon az the rule was reported he
/ yielded to Judge De Almond The Mis-
souri, Representative has 4 grudge against
Speaker Cannon because he was deposed
as a member Of the Committee on Rules.
and yesterday he spared no words to ex-
press his opinion.
He declared that Just such procedure
] inf
/ House Of Representatives and that the
Speaker was exercising authority which
/ he should not have. He declared that
under the present system OF rules the
I Speaker could pass or defeat any meas
ure he desired. and that all he had 70 do
I vas 70 get his Rules Committee together
and tell the members what he wanted.
Criticism of Speaker.
Judge De Almond then brancbes on
into violent criticism OF the action OF
the Speaker IN not consulting the minority
leader about committee appointments. and
said this was another step 10 gain more
( power over the membership OF the House
/ he said that while the Speaker knew
that the Democratic caucus had agreed
Champ Clark should approve all commit
tee appointments. he had deliberately
placed men on the Rules Committee and
the Committee on WAYS and Means with
out consulting him.
Burton Harrison. who was one OF those
placed on the Ways and Means Com
mittee without the consent OF C,Is-L
arose from his seat and asked Mr.. De
Almond II he referred 10 him.
4 90 not know whether or Tot nfr
1 Clark approved your appointment "a
the committee" said Judge De Almond
'out ! co know that the committee ap-
pointments were not made with the ides
Of bringing any JOY 10 this side OF ths
House
Il RidicuIes Democrats.
Serene Z Payne, the Republican floor
leader. came 10 the rescue OF the Speak
er, and ridiculed the Democrats for try
ing 10 bring up the rules fight after they
had lost it Monday" He defended The
/ Speaker, and said he was the ablest mar
among the membership OF the House. He
declared that the powers placed in tbs
hands Of the Speaker were necessary fol
occasions ike the one under consldera.
ton. and that without the rules there
could be no system 10 the business OF the
House.
Champ Clark then took the floor and
ridiculed the defense put Up by Mr.
Payne.
Flat of It's Back"
Even = we did lose that fight Monday
we had the Republican machine OF thi.
} House fat OF its back for three hours,
said the Bfissourian-
we certainly had you there" addet
Mr.. Clark. after the Republicans Ia,
engaged in a little laughter. and ev
cry one OF you know exactly how you 20
up"
Mr.. Clark devoted a good deal o.
speech 20 a criticism OF Mr.. Payne. ans
said The madder he gets the more in
teresting he IS"
Representative Walter L Smith, a mem
Der OF the Committee on Rules. spOk
last, and criticised the Democrats for m
stand they had taken. He reviewed TIL
hard work OF the Rules Committee an,
asserted that conditions and no "machin'
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