Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-17
Minority Leader Springs Sur
prise on House Floor.
DEMOCRATS ARE PLEASED
Howl With Delight as Speaker s
Name Is Suggested for Presidency.
WORDS OVER COMMITTEE
Both Parties Take Fling at Repre-
sentative Henry for Person
ally Offering Names.

| Champ Clark of Missouri Speaker OF
the House. was doomed for the presidency
| today on the floor of the body by Repre-
sentative James r. Mann of Illinois, the
minority leader. For ten minutes there
after all the ear drums in the Capito
| suffered intensely, while the democratic
side, opening its throat as one man
howied fearfully.
| AT the expiration of a reasonable time
Speaker Clark, wearing a tremulous near
smile. restored order by a liberal use OF
his gavel. He did not appear ANNOYED al
the demonstration.
| At the time Mr.. Mann was participat
ing in the row that had been waged TO,
two hours growing out of the fact that
Representative Henry had taken upon
himself the authority to name the specia
committee to investigate the sugar trust
| Various democrats had berated the
Texas members presumption, and when
| it came Mr. Manns turn he suggested
that the selections should have been
left to caucus or to the Speaker In
cidentally. he referred to Champ Clark
as the man now being favorably con-
sidered throughout the country for tie
presidential nomination" That was .he
signal for the outburst
| When the embarrassed Speake had
llndily restored order MIR. Mann con-
| tinued:
Il say to you frankly that the demo-
cratic party can make no better selec-
ton than the present Speaker of the
House But it is possible that the
democratic side of the House, favoring
Dental nominee. is not willing to leave
to him the selection of one of the in
vestlgatfng committees of the Hors.?'
Might Accept Nomination.
Representative Murray of Massachu-
sets suggested there was one distinc-
ton between the two propositions.
Speaker Clark, he said, was not par
ticular about naming the investigating
committee. but, on the other hand. Mr..
Clark had not said that he would not
accept the presidential nomination.
Il know the Speaker we'll enough tt
not shirk the responsibility if called
upon to take the nomination. no more
than he would shirk the responsibility
OF naming this investigating commit
tee II the House signifed its wish to
have him do So"
When the row was renewed over Mr.
Henry's action in naming the sugar in
vestfgating committee Representative
Henry arose and told the House in
rather emphatic terms that he alone
was responsible for presenting the
| nominations to the House
Il presented these names not as the
| chairman Of the rules committee, not
upon the order of the rules committee
Der from the state of Texas said Mr.
Henry. This is no time to bubble over
| such technicaities. l will be glad to
| consider any suggestions from Mr.. Fitz-
gerald. Mr.. Broussard or Mr.. Harrison
but 1 say frankly here that If have got
| to be criticised before the American peo-
pie i shall not hesitate to discuss these
| things as they are. i shall tell the mo-
| tives behind this opposition to my list.
Il shall say what occurred at confer
ences between myself and members of
the New York delegation. for instance"
No Conference, Says Fitzgerald.
II did not participate in any conference
with you" hotly interposed Representa-
tive Fitzgerald. and I authorized no one
else to do so on my behalf
Not that l know Of" replied Mr.
Henry.
Il object to that language: 1t is often
| sive. and | demand Its withdrawal" said
Mr.. Fitzgerald
| Representative Henry Withdrew his re-
marks. saying that he meant no persona
offense
Representative Fitzgerald said he had
no objection to the personnel of the
| Henry committee, but that the method OF
its selection was indefensible and that il
| must never occur again.
I'VE must now accept these selections,
said Mr.. Fitzgerald, ''or else a false i'm
preston will go TO the country regard.
| ing these men,
| Representative Broussard characterized
MI. Henry's methods as incognito states
manship.
| THE Speaker he said. fought to name
| the committees adding: IF the Speake
| is unwilling to assume the responsibility
| of the great office to which he has been
| elected, then this committee should be
named by the ways and means commit
| tee"
Among other democrats who criticised
Mr.. Henry's alleged usurpat ton of author
ity were Representatives Martin. Shac-
kleford and Sisson, and Representatives
Kendall OF Iowa Cooper of Wisconsin and
Il