Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-12
MEMBERS OF HOUSE
BRANDED by DIES AS
POLITICAL EDWARDS
Democrat From Texas Says
That Sherwood Pension Bill
Is "A $50. 100000 Cam
paign Contribution"

WASHINGTON, Dec s.-characteris-
ing his associates In congress as ''po-
liticaI cowsrds'' on the subject Of PEN
sion LEGISLATION and declaring that the
Sherwood pension bin In a 5000, 900
campaign contribution Representative
Martin Dies. a Texas Democrat swung
the pension debate In the house Of rep
resentatitss out Of its routine channels
for = half hour this afternoon
Mr.. Dies declared that members were
not voting their convictions on the PEN
sion subject. but were supporting min
crease Of pensions for fear of losing
their seats FLANNEL mouthed oratory"
on the tariff question said Mr.. Dies.
will not save Democrats from the
charge OF having increased the federal
appropriations by passing the Sherwood
pension onL
The Democratic party abounds In just
as much cowardlce on this question as
does the Republican party" said Mr..
DfesA
Some OF my friends say that II we
do not give the soldiers this money
we VIII not be returned to congress.
There has been a rivalry between the
Democratic and Republican parties ever
since the war as TO who should give the
most 70 the soldiers. II has not been a
question OF giving them what they want
ed. hus OF seeing how much they would
take
Representative Dies said he appreciated
the fact that 1900 or 5000 pension hold
ers after scared congressman leaves
no room for argument"
What viii IL be when we have q
civil hst7~ he demanded There are L.
200 employees OF the government now
demanding I'd be pcnsioned. The presi-
dent has capitulated. / take II that our
leaders on the Democratic side viii cap
itulate as readily as he
ASKS VACANT SEATS.
1T may be hat to be honest upon
these questions would beat US for the
presidency; 4 may be IL would leave
some OF Gun Democratic seats vacant. l
have about cone to the conclusion that
there are a g eat Inany seats here on
both sides OF the chamber that ought
TO be vacant
Il Go not doubt the honesty and In
tegrity Of this body, but / have lost my
respect for its courage.
There are lots OF you here who are
unable TO vote your honest convictions
for fear OF defeat I think decipitation
for q good many cowardly states, on
here would do this republic good"
Mr.. Dies said that although the son
OF Confederate soldier. he wanted
liberal and fair pensions for all
northern soldiers who held the states
together ard preserved the republic.
Both parties had gone too far. he said.
FLANNEL MOUTHED ORATORY.
Presently we are going 20 have q
good deal OF flannel mouthed oratory
on the tariff question" said Mr.. Dies.
Some OF our vociferous leaders are
going to talk about free wool, ana
not know that in voting for this bill
TO increase pensions from s20.000,OOo
10 s50.000.0Oo a year. that they will
vote for higher tariffs? / have not
much patience for our fellows who are
going TO talk about a lower tariff
after having voted for this bill.
We stand face TO face with pensions
for policemen, pensions for teachers,
pensions for government clerks. PEN
sions for everybody: and sometimes the
old farmer will come marching with
hts rake on his shoulder and hayseeG
in his hair and say:
II have fed you fellows for years
and now I am broken down in health
and I want a pension How viii you
answer him2-
Mr. Dies added that he was a ''poIiti-
cal coward like the balance OF you.r
but that he expected somebody TO arise
some time brave enough 10 risk mis-
hide and stop some OF this notorious leg
islation"
1T may be President Taft" he added.
He may veto the Sherwood bill II
%. I say:
Strength TO his arm"
The house gave undivided attention "a
the beliIgerent Texas Democrat. but APP
piauded his sentiments sparingly. With
the exception of Representative Tribbie
OF Georgia, al OF the other dozen mem