The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-02-24
PEACEMAKER F0SS
HIMSELF ATTACKED
Vermont Congressman Had Seized Pug.
nacious Alaskan by the Throat
and Latter Turned on
Him

/ ,
Him.
I Washington, Feb 24--Another blood
| less battle was fought on the floor OF
the House of Representatives late yes.
| tefday. IL occurred during somewhat
/ heated debate on bill for the leasing OF
! coal lands in Alaska, The lie was passed
| and as the short and ugly word rang
fotlt Delegate James Wekersham of
Alaska made a rush for Representative
Frank w. Mondell Of Wyoming, who
wa5 seated at nearby desk.
The big Alaskan's right arm shot out
twiGe IN the direction of the gentleman
from Wyoming, but the members who
surrounded the disputants at the time
| say that both blows fell just short.
The House was in an uproar in an in
stabt Several members hurled them
SELVES on Mr.. Wickersham; others were
struggling with Mr.. Mondell, who had
gained his feet and was making for his
assailant.
Representative Foster of Vermont had
taken Mr.. Wickersham by the throat.
'Islis added to the uncontrolled anger Of
the delegate, and for moment diverted
his attack toward the would be peace
fnaker,
Representative Sission OF Mississippi
was first to reach Mr. Mondell. who was
endeavoring to raise the chair in which
be had been sitting to hml it at his
antagonist.
Members rushed toward the group
ffom every part of the chamber and soon
there were nearly a hundred men in the
crowd about the still struggling legisla
tors.
Meantime, Representative 0lmsted OF
pennsylvania, who was acting as speak
err, was madly beaboring his desk with
the gavel and calling upon the sergeant
atLarms to preserve order. The historic
mace Of the House, the emblem of au-
thprity, was lifted from its marble ped
estal and carried to the floor by the
HOUSE officials. Members, however, had
taken the matter in hand and had sue
ceeded in bringing both Mr.. Wickersham
and Mr.. Mondell to q cessation Of hos
tilities.
When the House was fairly quiet,
Mr. Wickersham clamored for recogni-
tionl
~ want the record to show that /
apologize to the House. but His
voice rose to a shout 80 also want il
to show that / was called liar"
Representative Tawney Of Minnesota
demahded that the entire colIoduy be re.
ported by the stenographer from the
speakers desk. The stenographer said
that he overheard Mr. Mondel, who was
seated at the time, say;
Hle is liar"
Mr. Nickersham also had heard it.
III YOU say that, you are a liar" he !
had shouted, and in another instant
had rushed at Mr. Mondell.
A chair between the two members had 4
obstrueted their collision. Wiekersham's |
shout Of liar to AIondell was the first /
the House had heard. Mr. Mondelrs ut
terance had been made in an under
tone.
Representative Tawney called atten-
ton to the fact that the language used
BY the disputaBts was clearly unpar.
and that there should be an
apology
4 do apologize said Mr.. Wickersham.
Il lost my temper" He sat down.
II think the apology should be broad I
er iuterjected Representative Keifer OF I
Ohio
= make my apology as broad as any
gentleman in the House wants It said /
Mr.. Wiekersham; "and that is all have
to say
Mr. Mondell then arose.
= uttered no such statement as has
been reported in debate" he said "T
turned TO the gentleman from South
Dakota, who was standing at my desk.
and said. i think he must be liar"
Mr. Mondell said his reference was to
the fact that nothing in the record
showed any coal claims in Alaska and
outside of the Cunningham group had
gone to final entry Mr.. Wickersham
had disputed this statement.
My remark was not directed toward
the gentleman from Alaska" Mr. Mon
dell went on, "and it was not uttered
in debate, but to gentleman who stood
beside me. | realize, however, that |
should not have used the word here, or
anywhere, for that matter, and / apol-
1gize to the House
During the applause which followed
Mr. Mondells statement. Mr.. Tawney
moved that the House adjourn. On a
tanding vote the motion apparently was
'arried, but the opponents of the Alaska
easing bin demanded roll-call Under
his call the motion to adjourn was lost, +,
md the leasing bill was then defeated, /,
81 to 80
The bill had been called up under sus-
pension of the rules and would have re. {
uired q two,thirds vote for adoption.
Representative Madison of Kansas and
lllie James Of Kentucky, both members g
# the Ballinger. Pinchot investigating I
ommittee, led the attack against the
ill Mr.. Wickersham had Joined forces 2
With them. Mr.. Mondell occupied prac-
ically all of the time in favor Of the t
Measure.
The bill provided for the leasing of t
oal lands not to exceed 2.580 acres on a l
oyalty basis of from to 10 cents ton. Y
'he debate had been surcharged with r
crimony. !
~ nTnnAE EHrAfr a srVAar