New-York tribune., 1910-04-22
FOWLER BREAKS TRUCE
Attempt to Renew Rules Fight
Fails.
INSURGENTS NOT READY
Resolution Depriving Speaker of
Committee Appointing Power
Ruled Out.
TF-om The Tribun. Bureau ]

Washington. April 21-An i'll advised and
single handed attempt by Representative
Fowler of New Jersey. 70 bring about an
other battle over the rules of the House
proved a dismal failure today. and the
New Jersey Representative was unmistak-
ably sat upon by the Democrats and hy
his insurgent colleagues. Contrary 70 the
general understanding that there shall be
no renewal Of hostilities until the Presi-
dents legislative programme has been
enacted Mr. Fowler arose early in to-
days proceedings and offered what he said
was privileged resolution providing for
the appointment of two committees on
committees at the next session of Congress.
There was a messre attendance AT the
time. but the news spread through the
Capitol that war was about 10 be de
cared and the chamber promptly filed.
The clerk had hardly completed the read
ing Of the Fowler resolution when Repre-
sentative Payne, Of New York. made the
point Of order that il was not privileged
under the rules. Representative Hsrdwick
made the point OF no quorum. after which
the Speaker ruled that the resolution was
not privileged.
II was al this point that Mr.. Fowler er-
pected his insurgent colleagues and the
Democrats to join him in an attempt to
overrule the decision of the chair. But the
insursent leaders surrounded the New Jer-
sey Representative and advised him TO
withdraw the resolution. as they were not
Vet prepared to admit that a committee on
committees was necessary. The Demo
Gratis also made il clear that they would
not support the resolution, so Mr.. Fowler
withdrew il and placed It i'm the bill bas-
ket to 20 TO the Rules Committee.
When Mr. Fowler was recognized TO
speak on his resolution he announced that
he did not wish IL considered until May 2
but desired to have il referred to the Com
mittee on Rules and 20 have it come up
before the House as a privileged matter on
the date mentioned.
The Speaker. while declaring that the
reaDIution vas not I'm order, said he was
willing TO hear arguments on the point. Mr.
Fowler then said he would Withdraw the
resolution and deposit IL in the basket
With his resolution in his hand. he walked
to the clerks desk and deposited il in the
basket Derisive laughter from the regu-
lar Republicans greeted this action.
som. forty- minutes Of the time Of the
House have been consumed at this stage
Of the session." shouted Speaker Cannon
above the confusion. and now the gentle
man withdraws his resolution and says he
puts II In the basket" The emphasis he
put on the saws he again provoked laugh
ter. in which both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis Joined.
The Speaker had some difficulty in re-
storing order and used his gavel vigorous
ly. After several minutes OF incessant ham
n1erinE the excitement subsided.
The resolution provided that both the
ma jority and the minority shall have
on committees. to be selected &C
cording 10 seogra phicsl limits. Afterward
the insu-gent leaders reiterated their de-
TO do all in their power 10 pre-
vent repetition of the rules fight until
the closing days of the session. when the
motion to depose Speaker Cannon will be
made.
Representative Russell. Of Texas. broke
the record o, the Democratic side of the
House by speaking in favor of the railroad
bill.
Il realize he said. how plea SAINT il :
for brethren to dwell together i'm unity.
But. believing that its passage will make
for the hest interests OF the people of this
I intend to give this bill my sup
port" He told his Democratic collea CUES
that a vote against the pending bill was
tantamount to a vote for the existing rail
road Law