Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-03

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Aug. 2.-.tSpecial
Telegram)-In one OF the most dramatic
scenes ever enacted upon the floor OF the
national house of representatives w. ].
Bryan, the peerless leader, was today re-
pudiated by his erstwhile friends. OF all
who have done honor to the distinguished
Nebraskan in the past; Of all who have
welcomed Bryan in their particular Cistrlcts
TO bring success to their cause; of all wEo
have followed him through storm ana
stress of bmetalism. government owner
ship of railroads, the initiative and refercn-
dunn and recall one face was absent In
the house when Oscar Underwood OF Ala
bama, chairman of the ways and means
committee rose to a question of perso
privilege to reply to the charges made
against him by Bryan recently. The one
face missing from well set stage was
that OF Ollie James, shortly to be United
States senator from Kentucky, Bryan's
philosopher and friend, his fidus Achilles.
Members Come Into Open.
II has been a long time since the house
witnessed so much enthusiasm of pent up
emotion when the whp-like utterances or
Oscar Underwood came rushing out into the
open denying the charges made by william
Jennings Bryan that he had failed to re-
port the steel and iron schedule because he
Underwood was financially interested in
a Birmingham steel property and that they
were false in every particular. Underwood,
who was cheered on by mounted and
militant majority. called on one by one
the members Of his committee, many OF
whom have followed blindly the leadership
Of Bryan, to corroborate the statement
There was Claude Kitchin OF North Caro-
lima, the warmest friend Mr.. Bryan has
cfa
Great Commoner' was wholly misin-
formed as TO the proceedings in the ways
and means committee and IN the caucus.
and he thought in the interest Of exact
Justice. Mr. Bryan should tell from whom
he obtained his information regarding
oscar Underwood's position on the steel
and iron schedule.
And there was Champ Clark muzEled in
the speakers chair, but ncdding approv-
ingly to the thunders OF applause which
followed each whip-crack sentence OF the
floor leader Of the majority.
Lobeek and Mcguire Approve.
When Underwood finished there was
tumultuous rush to grasp the hand OF the
man who had the courage OF his convic-
tions thoroughly well developed enough to
put william Jennings Bryan in the Ana
Mas club" Democrats fen over themselves
to congratulate Underwood and his cour-
age Among the very first to greet him
were Lobeck and Mcguire. Lobeck par
ticulariy seemed to enjoy the occasion inn
menseIy, but as for Mcguire. he lost his
opportunity completely TO defend his. dis
tinguished constituent
II was such a field day as one rarely
sees, for Il seemed to indicate the birth of
a new leader and the demise Of one who
has held democracy in the hollow of his
hand for many years.
Mr. Underwood had read the published
Bryan statement. and. speaking very de-
Iiberately. said:
''Mr. Speaker. the statements contained
In that paper are absolutely false. IL the
reflections which that article contains
rested only on myself 1 would not take
the time of this house TO answer them
But those statements reflect not only on
myself but on the democrats in control
of this side Of the capitol, and as leader
Of the floor, would be untrue to my fel-