Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-01-21
IN VAIN
ATTEMPTS TO
RESIGN
MISSOURlAN WANTS OFF
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY
Chaotic Hour in House When
That Body Finds Itself Unex-
peCtedIy in Control OF Demo-
cratic Minority,



! by Representative Lloyd Of Missouri
TO resign as a member Of the joint
/ congressional committee to investi-
gate the Ballinger- Pinchoi controver-
sy brought abou. curious condition
1 today in which the mouse for time
Z found itself practically in control of
| the minority, actual control of the
body being prevented only by parlia-
mentary tactics.
1t having been given out that there
would be democratic caucus at 4.30
( o'clock most of the republican mem
+ bers went home while practically ev-
cry democrat was in his place. Mo-
! tions to adjourn were defeated by vo-
| ciferous choruses from the democratic
/ side
Mr.. Lloyd's resignation was read
whereupon Representative Tawney
made the point of order that no one
/ was authorized to receive it ana would
/ not be authorized until the joint COM
mittce should be organized. Even
then, he explained, the committee
/ would have authority to receive a res
+ ignation of one of its members only
( BY inference Mr. 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.
| Underwood of Alabama, who said the
house could accept the resignation.
|. Mr.. Lloyd attempted to obtain the
floor for an explanation but was barr
ed out by the parliamentary situation.
Mr. Tawney seeing the impossibility
OF an adjocrnment attempted to re-
sume consideration of the deficiency
bill as a means to force an adjourn
ment Again the democrats in over
whelmingly numbers, voted down his
motion. Renewing his motion to adj
journ, MI TaWney demanded a roll
cali on the ground that no quorum
was present, While the roll call was
in progress and republican members
were being called from their homes
ana hotels several miles away Mi
Underwood arose to make an cxpla-
nation.
After some delay the Alabaman
succeeded in saying there had been
general misunderstanding. He ex-
planned that he had had no know
ledge Of Mr. Iloyds intention to offer
his resignation at that time. The MI
nority he added had not purposely
taken advantage OF the absence of re-
publican members He said ii was
manifestly fair that he should move
to adjourn and in doing so he received /
unanimous support. and the house at
sos o'clock adjourned, just thirty
Eve minutes after the time agreed (
upon for the democratic caucus. The I
democratic caucus then assembled.
At the democratic caucus Repre-
sentative Rainey of Illinois, who was
denied q place on the Balinger-Pin- /
chot investigating committee by
vote OF the republicans, addressed his
colleagues and withdrew his name I
from further consideration In that /
connection. Representative James al
so asked to be relieved from service \
upon the committee, but upon mo- /
ton Of Mr.. Rainey, the caucus voted
to ask Mr.. James to coutinuc
Mr. Lloyd having stated a desire to /
be left off the committee the caucus
expressed vote of confidence in MI
Lloyd and decided to meet again to-
morrow night when the question OF
acting upon the lattcrs successor VIII
be taken up motion by Represen-
tative Sisson of Alabama, that Repre-
sentative Clayton of Alabama, chair
man OF the caucus, appoint commit
tee to consider the vacancy on the
investigating committee and to draw
up an address to the country, was
adopted by vote of 40 to AS.
Representative Poindexter of WASH
ington. the lone republican insurgent
who voted on the floor Of the house
today in favor of accepting the dem
ocratic caucus nominees for the Bal
unger- Pinchot investigation. issued a
lengthy statement tonight explaining
his attitude.
'"I don't think the republican party
is responsible in any way for the dem
ocratic bership and it did not de-
volve upon it to inquire into their
qualifications.
III the republican organization
should have the right to Sc
ie..t the democratic membership me
pur2ose Of q bipartisan inquiry would
he defeated. The republican party
would be responsible for the whole m
vestieation if it named the en'lre
committee"
MIR. Poindexter said the rules com,
,nittee of the house had introduced
me original resolution, instigatng the
in such a manner as 30
constitute an attack upon The forestry
scrvice ad D., nuurely brand "secre-
tarv Ballineer as pure and innocent