The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-08-04
House Leader Replies 10 Inter-
view Of the Nebraskan
CHE[RED BY ASSOCIATES
Bryan Charges That Underwood
Stood in the Way Revision of Iron
and Steel Because He Is Inter-
ested in Iron and Floor Leader
Says II Is Absolutely False.

Washington, Aug. 3.-William
Jennings Bryan, for Is years the
idol OF the democracy, was repudi-
ated by the democrats OF the house
yesterday in one of the most dra-
matte scenes ever enacted upon the
floor of that chamber. Rising to a
question OF personal privilege, Rep
resentative Oscar W. Underwood,
chairman of the ways and means
committee, denounced as absolutely
false Bryan's charges that he had
prevented a revision TO the iron and
steel schedules, and the house gave
TO Underwood an ovation that sell
dom has been equaled.
The majority floor leader did not
mince words. 1t was a question OF
Bryan against Underwood, and the
democrats, cheering Underwood at
every sentence, rising en- masse when
he had concluded, throwing banker
chiefs in the air--made their choice.
| II was Underwood.
Mr.. Underwood sent to the clerks
desk morning paper which contain
ed an interview with Bryan, in which
the latter charged that Underwood
had been ''unmasked," and that he
was unfit TO be at the head of the
ways and means committee.
Underwood was interested in steel.
said Bryan, and had stood in the way
Of revision OF that schedule. Cali
ling upon the members of the ways
and means committee to be his wit
nesses. the majority leader, with
shaking voice, declared he had urged
the revision OF the iron and steel
schedule at the beginning of the
session.
II told the committee" said Tn
derwood, that because | had pub
licly stated that | was small holder
in an iron mill, II might save me
from embarrassment II we proceed
ed to revise the steel schedule frst.
\ The committee decided to revise
wool and cotton schedules first.
We will revise the steel and iron
schedule, said Mr Underwood a
moment later, and again the demo-
Gratis cheered him 10 the echo.
These statements made by VIII
liam Jennings Bryan are absolutely
false, said Mr.. Underwood. III
they reflected on me alone / would
not take the time OF the house 10
answer them. but they reflect upon
the entire democratic party in con-
troll OF this house. would be false
TO my party and false % my position
as floor leader did | not characterize
them as false here today.
Bryan calls on Kitchin 10 sns-
tain him. / now call on him to take
the floor and say whether my state
ment Is true
Representative Kitehln, of North
Carolina. took the floor and expressed
regret for the controversy.
Il am sure the gentleman from
4 Nebraska Is misinformed. While he
asks for publicity Of caucus action he
ought TO give publicity as 10 his in
formant.
He could not have been informed
By any one in the causcns, because
there Is not one word Of truth in that
statement except that reminded the
caucus that Mr. Underwood was in
terestcd in the iron and steel bnsi-
ness. Bat ! said Il would be wise TO
revise the steel schedule. because
did not want republicans 10 SANDER
Mr.. Underwood, but ! never dreamed
any democrat would do 50. Mr.
Bryan is not responsible"