Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-19
CANNON MEN STOOD FIRM
Loyal to Speaker, Though Con-
WINGED He Was Doomed.
YIELDED ON OTHER POINTS
Adamant, However, When It Came
7 to Ohicial Humiliation Of
the Speaker.

a final conference this morning In the
room of the ways and means committee
The conference began at $3.50 and con-
tinued until ii O'Clock At Its conclusion
the members announced that all hope. OF
compromise had passed.
Those participating in the conference
were as follows:
For the ENTHUSIASTICALLY Leader
Payne Of New York, DaIEell OF Pennsyi-
vania. Smith Of Iowa. Tawney of Mime
sofa and Mann Of Illinois.
For the insurgents--Norris Of Nebraska.
Gardner Of Massachusetts. Hayes OF Cal
ifornia and Lenroot OF Wisconsin.
Mr.. Martin of South Dakota also ap-
Feared at the conference room and was
admitted. He was not placed either with
the insurgents or regulars, but rather as
harmcniying influence.
Split Over the Speaker.
The Speaker was the subject over which
the conference split. The regulars in
sisted that he should be retained as q
member of the rules committee, or at
least that he should have the opportunity
of declining the place If he desired.
The insurgents were implacable. They
made mai:y concessions Of detail to the
end of securing q compromise, but upon
the proposition Of removing the Speaker
from the rules committee they stood I'M
movable.
When the conference ended the mem.
bers emerged with flushed faces. but a
grim air of determination to fight to the
bitter end.
The effort to reach an agreement was
based on the resolution of Mr.. Martin
of South Dakota, for the enlargement
of the committee on rules from Ave men,
bers to ten members, six of whom should
be members Of the ma ority party and
four OF whom should be members OF the
minority party. and all to be elected
by the House by a majority vote.
Select It's Own Chairman.
1t provided further that the new COM
mittee should select it's own chairman.
No mention was made of the eligibility
Of the Speaker for a place thereon.
After considerable deliberation, Mr..
Martin proposed to amend his PROPOSE
ton SO as to make the Speaker ineligible
after March 3. 1911. Against this amend
ment Representatives Mann and Dalzell,
representing Speaker Cannon, held out
unalterably. They refused to consider
any plan that would specifically humiliate
the Speaker. Their attitude was SO Inn
placable that further conference was out
OF the question
Representative Norris, the author OF
lhO iCSOiuSAOh WHICH pTCCipilAtSO the TWO.
day battle. was first out of the COM
mittee. His solemn face broke into a
smile as he recognized the waiting news
paper men.
Well. boys. the fight is on" he said
quietly.
I'VE made every concession, but they
declined to give way" said Representative
Hayes. I'VE offered all we could, but
they refused to give up the Speaker All
possible agreement is of.
II say this in sorrow, not In anger" he
added with smile.
Formed for the Battle.
The insurgent leaders hurried away to
join their associates and form for the
fight which they knew was coming within
the hour.
The regulars walked slowly to Speaker
Cannon's room, few feet distant. Their
mien was as solemn and determined as
that of the insurgents.
There is nothing to do but fight" said
Representative Mann, one Of the con-
ferees of the regulars.
But will you VIM" he was asked
Il don't think So" he replied. II
haven't canvassed the situation, how
1--WE are beaten. I believe" admitted
Representative Tawney.
Representative Mann denied that the in
surgents had made any concession.
Denies Offer Of Concessions.
They made no concessions whatever"
he said. True, they offered two pos
sible means of compromise-the Norris
and the Martin resolutions-but both
were impossible. They not only pro-
vided for the present in the selection OF
the rules committee, but for all future
time as WELL
They wanted the Speaker eliminated
altogether as a member Of the rules COM
mittee. They did consent to put him out
of business by indirection, but that was
the same thing as far as We were con-
cerned. We would not stand for it,
Representative Butler OF Pennsylvania
was among the group on the floor Of the
House who heard from Mr.. Martin of
South Dakota that the efforts to COM
promise were off. Mr.. Butle- asked on
| what rock the conference spk.. He was
told that the trouble was with the Mar
tin amendment as to the Speakers in
eligibility to membership on the commit
tee after March 3, 1911.
Doesn't the Speaker agree to that?"
demanded Butler.
II don't know" replied Martin.
Regular, But Wanted Peace.
well, he WILL" shouted Butler. his
face livid with Indignation. II am q
regular, but. by George, I am for peace!
The Speaker will agree to that. He'll
have to after today"
And Mr.. Butler too wrathy to answer
questions as to whether he proposed
breaking with the regular forces. rushed
across the chamber and out into the
lobby.
While the conference was in session
Mr.. Fowler of New Jersey, an insurgent.
broke into the room and broke out again
without stopping.
They don't want me in there. that's
certain" said he. II did not know they
were meeting They know mighty well
| that / would not compromise. I would
not give in on any broad principle
| Representative Boutell Of Illinois, and
other men just as irreconcilalbie from
the other point Of view, met with cold
receptions when they appeared at the
conference door.
Democrats Welcomed Test.
Our men are practically all here" said
Champ Clark. leader Of the democrats.
few minutes before noon. I'VE are
ready for the battle and every man will
| stand by the guns. There will be no
desertions from our side"
There was a conference just before the
House convened In Mr.. Clarks room be-
tween Mr.. Clark. his chief lieutenant,
NJ Underwood Of Alabama, ana two or
three others Of the democratic leaders.
| 1--WE have got Cannon surrounded and
there is no hope of his escape" said
| Representative Ollie James Of Kentucky.
| .sThts IA the Anal result Of hfa tyrannv