The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-01-26
CHILD LABOR BILL
CAUSES PARTY ROW
Caucus Held, Hot Words
Passed and Then Some
Members Left.
KEECAN BURNS EN- UP
Author of Bill Said Its Turn
Down Would Violate a
Platform Pledge.
KEECAN BURNS EN- UP
palladium Specially

tempt Oh inc udJOEJty III INC hOunc "
make any platform promise except the
option bill, n party measure by caucus
ended In row when the Democratic
caucus upon Kecgan's child labor bill
blew up Wednesday afternoon.
Some OF the Democrats walked out
Of the caucus. others remained only
To speak their piece regarding what
they called an attempt to foist upon
them a pet" bill of an individual by
calling II party measure
Representative Kcegan. author and
introduccr OF the bill. also got into
the gabfest with few cruel words
about party professions differing from
party deeds and also alleging that
some of the Democrats were more
concerned about their "home indus
trics." which employ children. than
they were about delivering legisla-
ton they agreed to deliver
These cutting remarks OF tho Irish
statesman OF the house called for
some bitter retorts from other Irish
and many Germans. Some OF the
sangerbund deserted the chorus alto
gcther. among others being Benz.
Roggen and Frisse.
Caucus Was Lively.
According to reports the caucus
was lively. Charges and counter
charges of a somewhat sensational
character were made and everyone
left In a lighting mood. with the net
result that the bill was not declared a
party measure and the fight will be
carried to the floor of the house when
the three reports are submitted on
Thursday.
Reagan opened the ball by deliver
Ing his associates lecture upon par
ty ethics. He said the Democratic
party carried the election and legisla-
ture by the labor vote. which was
promised much legislation. He told
the caucus In plain Celtic language
that throughout the campaign the
Democratic speakers were ordered to
talk labor and labor legislation and
not local option as many supposed.
This was done to Offset the popularity
of Senator Beveridge's labor record.
He rehearsed his part In the campaign
NJ q labor speaker and told Of PAM
phlet upon child labor that he wrote
and which was distributed as a CAM
paign document. for which the de-
mand exceeded the supply. He warn
ed the caucus II the party did not get
behind the bill II would be recreant to
it, promises and would betray the
confidence put in 1t, by the laboring
men.
In reply members stated they were
not opposed to child labor legislation
and the redemption OF party promises
but they insisted that Keegan was not
the party and there was no rule where
by a bill which he wrote should be
labeled party measure and forced
through the legislature. They alleged
he was trying to bullyrag things to
suit himself and make personal CAPT.
tai and they would stand for 1t.
During the running debate which
followed keegan charged the Demo
Gratis from Evansville with going
hack on their party in order to play
to the Fendrich cigar factory of Ev.
ansville, one of the strongest oppon.
cnts OF tho bill. This was warmly de-
Mod by Speaker veneman who said
the charge was untrue and unwar-
rantcd. AZ he was not representing
any special interest. Other Evans
VILE members took exception to Kee.
gans accusation in remarks that siz-
xled.
Thornton Opposes u.
Representative Thornton of New Al
bany. expressed himself against the
bill and he was accused of being over
ly lenicnt with the glass Industries.
whereupon Thornton made himself
Exhibit A" to prove that working in
glass factories at the tender age OF
fourteen did not stunt n boys growth.
he having performed that task when
boy. lie also delivered some keen
observations about all party loyalty
NOT being the copyrighted property OF
one Keegan: or all wisdom being
wrapped up In one bill,
Benz. member OF the committee
who had signed the report recon-.
mcnding the bill he killed was pceved
over the treatment accorded the re-
ports by the speaker. He wanted to
know by what right the speaker held
up committee reports. and if commit
tee reports were TO be treated in that
manner, why bother making reports?
Indeed. why monkey around having
committees at all? In addition to this
he announced he would never agree to
support the bill and to prevent being
bound by any vote that might be TAX.
en- he left the caucus.
Others who announced they would
not be bound by any caucus to sup
port Kecgan's bill were Lyons. rrisse.
Roggen. Moran and McGinnis. Still
others said they would not be the first
TO jump q caucus. but II there were
any who would not abide by the eau
Gus then they would also refuse to
abide by II.
Outside the caucus they talked
more freely than they did In 1t. and
Keegan was the common target. Mem
bers claim he has assumed the respon-
sibllity Of running the party upon la.
Dor matters upon the ground he 10 a
working man. and that he will not
permit any one to disagree with him.
They nay he usurps the function Of
the chairman Of his committee when
ever there IL \ meeting, lecturcs the
psrsons who are invited to appear be-