The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-08
"STR|KE TUH!"
 DEMOCRATS WIN
Byrnes Was Umpire-He Had a COin-And They
 Tossed

| Washington, August 7.-Democracy tri- umphed again today when republican con- gressmen bit the dust-some of them swallowed quantities of it-on the baseball diamond in the struggle for the champion ship of the House of Representatives. Score F to 9, in four innings. Charges may be preferred against the democratic umpire, James F Byrnes of South Carolina, who had rabbits foot in his pocket and, re- publicans charge a loaded half-dollar also
 The game. played for charity, really was decided by the umpires. William W. Will son of Illinois, the republican umpire, did all he could to defend the tide of party defeat. but on all close decisions when in furiated members of both parties crowded on the field and threatened riot, the only solution was for Byrnes and Wilson to resort to the toss of coin. Byrnes had the coin and did the tossing. Byrnes won every time.
 you're safe" he invariably ordered, umpire.
 Thus were the fates which the dem ocrats, although they had no such gilt edged ball players on their team as Con- gressman Nicholas Longworth of Ohio Longworth. shortstop for the republican team and it's captain played like q star in the field, and pounded out two two bsggers and home run. The ball he knocked for a home run was stolen by canal boat driver, who found it in the canal below the heights of Georgetown. upon which the game was played.
 In the third inning there were only four innings because another would have meant physical defeat for all concerned) Representative Webb, democrat of North Carolina, had been neatly caught at first base, but in his desperation he had knocked down Representative Slemp. who was guarding the bag. Umpire Wilson called him out.
 stay where you are" shouted Umpire Byrnes, as he ran forward. Follow no such republican dictation. He thinks he's Joe Cannon"
 Then there was a conflict of words and some threats. which started the assemb- laee of Washingtons social and congress
 
 the coin or the proposition that the coin be the umpire. The democrats won.
 Again. when Representative Murray democrat, of Massachusetts, had slath- cred to second base and was there being touched out by Representative Kendall, republican, Umpire Wilson called him out.
 Byrnes again ordered him not to stir from his position of party regularity and to sit on the lid Another near-riot, an other coin tossed and again the demo- crats had won and three more runners crossed the plate.
 It was a lurid game while it lasted. the gopher battery, Miller and Anderson, of Minnesota, carrying off honors for the losers and Webb and Kinkead. of New Jersey, officiating for the democrats.
 Others who participated for the repub- licans were Laffet, Oregon, centerfield; Slemp, Virginia, first base; Porter, Penn sylvania, who made three hits, third base: Hepburn, Pennsylvania, leftfield, and Farr. of Pennsylvania, rightfield. 1 Supporting the democratic battery were Harrison, Massachusetts, third base; Reilly, Connecticut who lasted one in ming. and McDermott. Illinois, first base; Carter, Oklahoma. second base; D. Dris- coll New York, left field; Garrett. Ten nessee, centerfield and Scully, New Jer- | sey, rightfield.
 l Scully knocked a home run, the ball landing in Congressman Copley's automo- 1 bile