Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-02-24
BLOODLESS BATTLE
ON FLOOR Of
HOUSE
DELEGATE WICKERSHAM
MIXES WITH M0NDELl
Blows Fall Short and Both
Apologize; Alaska Coal Land
Leasing Bill Defeated With
/. Help of Democrats.
iBy Morning journal Special Leased wIrel

fBy Morning journal Special Leased Wlre]
Washington, Feb. 23. - Another
bloodless battle was fought ON the
floor of the house of representatives
late today. 1t came during a some
what heated debate on a bill for the
leasing of coal lands in Alaska. The lie
was passed and as the short and ugly
word rang out Delegate James Wick
ersham of Alaska. made a rush for
Representative Frank w. Mondell OF
Wyoming. who was seated at near
by desk.
The big Alaskans right arm shot
out twice in the direction of the gent
leman from Wyoming, but members
who surrounded the disputants at the
time say that both blows fell short.
The house was in an uproar in an
instant. Several members hurled
themselves on Mr.. Wickersham; 9TH
ers were struggling with Mr.. Mondell
who had gained his feet and was
making for his assailant. Represen-
tative Foster of Vermont had taken
Mr. Wickersham by the throat. This
added to the uncontrolled anger of the
delegate and for moment diverted
his attack toward the would-be peace
maker. Representative Sisson of
Mississippi was first to reach Mr..
Mondell, who was endeavoring to
raise the chair in which he had been
sitting, to hurl it at his antagonist.
Members rushed toward the group
from every part of the chamber and
soon there was nearly hundred men
in the crowd about the struggling Leg
islators.
Meantime Representative Olmstead
of Pennsylvania, who was acting as
speaker, called upon the sergeant-at-
arms to preserve order. The histor-
ic mace of the house, the emblem of
authority was lifted from its marble
pedestal and carried to the floor by
the house officials.
Members, however, had taken the
matter in hand and had succeeded in
bringing both Mr.. Wickersham and
Mr.. Mondell to a cessation of hostili-
ties.
When the house was fairly quiet,
Mr., Wickersham clamored for recog-
milton.
4 II want the record to show that /
apologize to the house, but" (his
voice rose to shouD. Il also want 1t
10 show that was called liar"
Representative Tawney called at
tention to the fact that the language
used by the disputants was clearly nn-
parliamentary and that there should
be an apology
"I do apologize Mr.. Wickersham
said; II lost my temper.
He sat down and Mr.. Mondell arose.
my remark was not directed TO-
ward the gentleman from Alaska. Mr'
Mondell said "and il was not utter
Cd in debate, but to a gentleman VINO
stood beside me. / realize, however.
that I should not have used the WORD
here, or anywhere. for that matter
and I apologize to the house.
During the applause which follow-
ed Mr.. Modell's statement, Mr.. raw
ney moved that the house adjourn.
On standing vote the motion appar-
emily was carried, but the opponents
Of the Alaska leasing bill demanded
roll call. Under this call the motion
Ia adjourn was lost, and the leasing
bill was then defeated 151 TO 32.
The bill had been called up under
q suspension of the rules and would
have required two-thirds vote for
adoption.
Representatives Madison of Kansas
and Ollie James of Kentucky, both
members of the Ballinger-Pinchot In
vestigating committee. led the attack
against the bill. Mr.. Wickersham
had joined forces with them. Mr..
Mondell occupied practically all of
the time In favor of the measure.
The bill provided for the leasing OF
all coal lands not TO exceed 1850 acret
on royalty basis of from 3 to 10
cents n ton. The debate had been
sn ~. An n al with nnrlIunnV