New-York tribune., 1910-01-26
TILT IN THE HOUSE
BENNETT HITS MACON.
Resents Junketing Charges
Mining Bureau Bill Passed.
[From The Tribune Bureau. ]

tFrom The Tribune Bureau.]
Washington. Jan. 25.-Representative
Robert Bruce Macon, of Arkansas, who
voiced certain rumors rejecting on the I'M
migration Commission yesterday in the
House. spent unpleasant hour to-day
when Representative Bennett, of New York,
member of the commission disproved the
rumors and showed the Arkansan to have
been unjustified in their circulation. Mr..
Macon. on hearsay evidence, told the
House that the commission was wasteful
of the public funds, gloried in Joy rides
and ''junkets" and had accomplished little
or no good. He referred particularly to
Representative Bennett having taken
several trips to Europe with his secretary.
Representative Bennett arose to question
of personal privilege. He called attention
TO the fact that the allegations had been
made while he not in the House. and
proceeded to answer each charge made by
the Arkansan in such convincing manner
that he was frequently interrupted by ap-
plause, and at the end of his speech re-
eeived an unusual demonstration. Mr.. Ben
net had been one of the European party
which was alleged by Mr.. Macon to have
enjoyed iunket.
The New York Representative declared
that out of the s657,O00 expended by the
NoHliulSSioi Only Slo,tU ndO neen Spelit Oh
the European trip, every penny of which
had been accounted for by voucher. He
added that every member of the commits
sion had expended greater sum from his
personal funds than had been charged to
the government. He declared that Repre-
sentative Macon could have ascertained the
cost of every egg that he ate had he taken
the trouble to go to the Treasury Depart
ment. He showed that the work of the
commission had brought 100000 into the
Treasury through the head tax.
NAMED PATTEN AS AUTHOR.
Mr.. Bennet named James II. Patten, sec
retary of the immigration Restriction
League, as the probable author of Mr..
Macon's information, and characterized
that information as "a wicked, cruel, ma
lcious and deliberate lie" This man, Mr..
Rennet declared had circulated the same
stories through his district last year in an
attempt to defeat him for Congress.
Mr.. Bennet asked Mr.. Macon if this in
formant had told him that Morton E.
Crane of the commission, was a nephew
OF Senator Crane He most certainly
did - replied Mr.. Macon Then retorted
Mr.. Bennet, this statement is just as un-
true as the rest made by Mr.. Patten."
When Mr.. Bennett had closed half an
hour was granted to Mr. Macon to reply.
His speech was half apoogetic, half wan
dering. He said that it was all question
of veracity between Mr. Bennett and Mr.
Patten, and that he was unable to decide
the question.
After the strife had ceased Mr. Patten,
who had been in the gallery, admitted that
he had told Mr.. Macon that Senator
Cranes nephew was on the commission,
and said that he had heard it some
where" He also admitted that he applied
for position with the commission on its
European trip. He denied, however, that
he supplied Mr. Macon with all the infor-
nation contained in the speech of the Ar
kansan. 1t was generally admitted after
the House adjourned. that Mr.. Macon had
received deserved rebuke for casting as
pensions on body OF men without making
any effort to ascertain the truth from a
proper source.
After a discussion lasting over three
hours the House passed a bill to create a
Bureau of Mines in the Department of the
Interior. AS amended the measure will not
go into effect before July /. 1910. IT directs
the Secretary of the Interior ito foster,
promote and develop the mining industries
of the United States and to investigate
methods of mining and possible improve
ments for carrying on mining operations"