The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-21
ATTEMPT OF LLOYD TO RESIGN
FROM INVESTIGATING BODY
CAUSES MixUP.
A SURPRISE IS SPRUNG
Lower House Finds Itself in Practical
Control Of the Minority Membership
ton Only by Parliamentary Tactics
-Tawney to the Rescue Of Party.

Washington. Jan. .0.--An attempt
by Representative Lloyd of Missouri
to resign US a member of the joint
congressional committee to investi-
gate the Eallinger-Pinchot controversy
brought about curious condition to-
day in whicl the house for a time
found itself in practical control of the
minority. actual control of the body
being prevented only by parliamentary
tactics. 1t having been given out that
there would be democratic caucus at
4:30 o'clock. most of the republican
members went home. while practically
every democrat was in his place. Mo-
tions to adjourn were defeated by vo-
ciferous cheers from the democratic
side.
NJ. Lloyd's resignation VAS read.
whereupon Representative Tawney
made the point of order that no one
was authorized to receive il and would
not be SO authorized until the joint
committee should be organized. Even
then, he explained, the committee
would have authority to receive u
resignation of one of its members only
by inference. MIR. Tawney undertook
to demonstrate that Mr.. Lloyd. having
been elected to membership on the
committee. could not escape service.
This view was combatted by Mr.. I'm
derwood OF Alabama. who said the
house could accept this resignation. Mr..
Lloyd attempted to obtain the floor
for an explanation, but was barred out
by the parliamentary situation. Mr..
Tawney, seeing the impossibility of an
attempted to resume con-
sideration of the deficiency bill as a
means to force an adjournment. Again
the democrats in overwhelming num-
bers voted down his motion. Renew
ing his motion to adjourn. Mr.. Tawney
demanded roll call on the ground
that no quorum was present. While
the roll call was in progress and re-
publican members were being called
from their homes and hotels several
miles away. Mr.. Underwood arose to
make an explanation.
Underwood Explains.
After some delay. the Alabaman
succeeded in saying that there had
been Il general misunderstanding. He
explained that he had had no know
ledge of Mr.. Lloyd's intention to offer
his resignation at that time. The mi
nority. he said. had no: purposely
taken advantage of the absence of re-
publican members. He said it was
manifestly fair that he should move
fA in hA
ceiyed unanimous support and the
house at sos o'clock adjourned. just
80 minutes after the time agreed upon
for the democratic caucus. The demo-
cratic caucus then assembled.
At the caucus Representative Rainey
OF Illinois. who Was denied place on
tho Ballinger-Pinchot inyestiGatia; :;
committee BY vote of the repuhii-
cans. addressed his colleagues and
withdrew his name from further CON
siGeration in that connection. Rep
resentative James also asked to be
relieved from service upon the COM
mittee. but upon motion of Mr.. Rainey.
the caucus voted to ask Mr.. James 10
continue.
Mr.. Lloyd. having stated desire to
be left off the committee. the caucus
expressed q vote of confidence in Mr.,
Lloyd and decided to meet again to-
morrow night when the question of
acting upon the latter's successor will
be taken up. 4 motion by Represent
atiye Sissons of Alabama that Repre-
sentative Clayton of Alabama. chair
man OF the caucus, appoint a commit
tee to consider the vacancy on the in
vestigating committee and to draw
up an address 10 the country, was
adopted by vote of ~ to 4s.
Makes Statement.
Representative Poindexter of Wash
ington. the lone republican insurgen,
who voted on the floor of the house
today in favor of accepting the demo-
cratic caucus nominees for the Bal
iinger-Pinchot investigation. issued a
lengthy statement tonight. explaining
his attitude.
Il do not think the republican party
is responsible in any way for the dem
ocratic membership. and it does no,
desoive upon it to inquire into their
qualifications.
If the republican organization
should have the fright To SELECT the
democratic membership. the purpose
of bipartisan representation would be
defeated. The republican party would
be responsible for the whole investi-
cation if it named the entire COM
mittee:''
Mr. Poindexter said the rules conf
mittee of the house had introduced tbs
original resolution. instigating the in,
yestisation in such a manner To con-
stitute an attack upon the forestry
service and prematurely brand Sec,
retary Ballinger as a pure and limo