East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-02-24
WiCkersham and MondeI Are
Principals in BIoodIess Bat
tie in House.
SHORT AND UGLY WORD
STARTS 4 ROUGH HOUSE
Interference of Other House Mem
bcrs Keep Combatants at Safe Dis
tance-When Quiet Is Restored
Both Apologize-Alaska Coal Lands
Leasing Bill Cause of Trouble.

Washington, Feb. 24.-Another
bloodless battle was fought on the
floor of the house of representatives
late yesterday. 1t came during a
somewhat 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 Wickersham of Alaska, made
a rush for Representative Frank w.
Mondell of Wyoming, who was seated
at a nearby desk.
The big Alaskan's right arm shot
out twice in the direction of the gen.
tleman from Wyoming, but members
who surrounded the disputants at the
time say that both blows fell shoi
The house was in an uproar in an
instant Several members hurled
themselves on Mr.. Wickersham; 9TH
ers were struggling with Mr.. Nom
dell, who had gained his feet and was
making for his assailant
Seize Alaskan by Throat.
Representative Foster of Vermont,
had taken Mr.. Wickersham by the
throat. This added to the uncontron-
ed anger of the delegate and for a
moment diverted his attention toward
the would-be peacemaker.
Representative Sisson of Mississip-
pi, 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
there were nearly a hundred men in
the cowd about the struggling legis-
lators.
Meantime, Representative Olmstead
Of Pennsylvania, who was acting as
speaker, called upon the sergeant at
arms to preserve order. The historic
mace of the house, the emblem OF au-
thority, was lifted from its marble
PEDESTAL and carried to the floor by
he 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 hostil-
ties.
When the room was fairly quiet,
Mr.. Wickersham clamored for rec
ignition.
Il want the records to show that 1
apologize to the house, but (his voice
'ose to a shout) 1 also want it TO
show that l called liar"
Representative Tawney called at
tention to the fact that the language
lsed by the disputants was clearly un-
and that there should
De an apology.
Il do apologize" Mr.. wickersham
said. Il lost my temper" He sat
1own and Mondell arose
MY remark was not directed to-
ward the Gentleman from Alaska"
Iondell said, and it was not utter
ID in debate, but to a gentleman who
stood beside me. l realize, however,
hat l should not have used the word
lere, or anywhere for that matter,
and l apologize to the house.
During the applause which follow
ID Mr.. Mondelrs statement, Mr.. Taw-
ley moved that the house adjourn. On
/ standing vote the motion apparent
y was carried, but the opponents Of
he Alaska leasing bill demanded a
roll call Under this call, the motion
% adjourn was lost, and the leasing
dill was defeated, Isl to 80.
The bill had been called up under
| suspension of the rules and would
nave required a two-thirds vote for
adoption.
Representative Madison of Kansas,
md James of Kentucky, both men,
oers of the Ballinger-P -Pinchot investi-
eating committee, led the attack
against the bill. Mr.. Wickersham had
oined forces with them. Mr.. Mon
iell occupied practically all of the
ime in favor OF the measure.
The bill provided for the leasing or
,oal lands not to exceed 1850 acres
IN royalty basis of from 3 to 10
,ents a ton. The debate had been
with acrimony.