Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-19

Wnon tney would Do relieved by others.
Trying to Force Taft's Hand.
Practically every ono OF the .lo.t
cause company that supported Mr..
Mann In his flibuster opposed the Nc
resentative Augustus Gardner OF Massa-
chusetts. who led the fight against the
MCCALL measure when 1t was before tho
House. came to the. aid Of Mr.. Mann
several times last night
The democrats openly declared around
the House that the tIibuster was a brazen
scheme to force the hand OF President
Taft with his threat OF an extra session.
go to any length to secure the defeat or
the Taft reciprocity program.
Fo. two hours last night the House
struggled I'm vain TO secure the attendance
rest the sergeant-at-arms of the Houss
and his deputies went out last night 10
drag In the unwilling. and mean
while the members In the chamber
amused themselves and the spectators ia
the crowded galleries with the most pie
turesque proceedings that have marked
the sessions OF the House In many q
long day. Representative Tom Hefiin OF
Alabama sang coon songs and told min
strel show jokes. and. after consider
able more foolishness, Joe Merriok,
silver-voiced page. was hoisted to the
shoulders OF a number OF democrats and
sang. in his boy soprano. MY Ola Ken
lucky Home" my Country. IT'S Of
Thee" and other selections.
Prince Pleads for the Bill.
When the clerk finished reading the
amendments Representative Prince OF
Illinois. chairman OF the committee on
claims. took the floor to discuss tho bill.
He read an extract from President Tafts
message urging Congress to pay claims
that had been acted upon favorably by
the Court OF Claims. Mr.. Prince said
spoliation claims lack in the bill. The
committee Of which he is chairman de-
cided at first not to report tho bill at all
this session. 1t reconSidered this act.
right to pigeonhole SO important q mea-
sure.
In voting on the bill as It came from
the Senate, however. Mr.. Prince said. the
committee dec."ed. to 8. to cut out tho
French cpoliatfon claims. In conclusion
Mr.. Prince declared. amid applause. that
Congress should either carry out the de-
cisionS OF the Court OF Claims or abolish
that tribunal. At this point Representa-
tive Cariin OF Virginia attempted TO get
before the House motion to lint gen
eral deoate or the bill.
It's no wonder you want to shut off
debate" remarked Mr.. Mann in an under
tone and without arising. This bill is
SO rotten you arc afraid TO discuss it.
Louder" called Representative Rob-
inson OF Arkansas. with his h nd TO his
ear. The House laughed uproariously.
Then Mr.. Mann moved to adjourn. On
standing vote the motion was lost.
Al to SO.
Mr.. Mann made the point Of no quorum,
A roll call followed. 1t disclosed a quorum
and the House by vote of 100 10 73 re-
fused to adjourn.
Mr.. Prince moved that general debate
be limited to three hours. which was
agreed to. Some of the democrats de-
manded an opportunity to vote separately
on the French spOliation claims.
I'VE want to get a crack at these
Claims" said Mr.. Clark OF Missouri
You WILL" replied Mr.. Prince
Some one suggested that as . result OF
the committee amendments tho French
claims were already out OF the bin.
Then they'll never get back" shouted
Mr.. Clark
The House at this time. however. had
not adopted tho committee amendments
and the French claims were practically
still in the bill
Motion to Adjourn Defeated.
Mr.. Gardner OF Massachusetts moved
an adjournment which was defeated To
q. Mr.. Carlin OF Virginia moved a call
Of the House. to which Mr.. Mann mado
a point Of order. but the motion prevailed.
Finally by a motion OF Mr.. Carlin, adopt
ed 40 to 10. the sergeant alarms WAS
directed to arrest absentees and bring
them to the bar OF the House. Meantime
there We're many burlesque parliamentary
moves. with frequent uprorious laughter.
Mr.. Hef1in of Alabama said in the an
sence OF a quorum he would yield himself
fifteen minutes. He attacked the fili-
clustering policy of Mr.. Mann. saying lie
was making the greatest blunder of his
life, and predicted democratic victory I'm
the national election two years hence.
which evoked huZZaS from the democrats.
Mr.. Hefin characterized the filibuster as
the most shameful performance he had
seen during hi public career. He de-
clared the republicans dared not let the
measure come to vote. Then he told
funny stories that convulsed the House.
Music Sooths the CombatAnrs.
Singing OF MY Old Kentucky Home
and America" kept the members In good
humor and entertained the numerous
spectators in the galleries.
Many members sarcastcaily Offered
time to Mr.. Mann for a speech. but he
only smiled. Mr.. Olmstead of Pennsyi-
vania- the speaker pro tempore. was
frequently asked what progress the
Mr.. Sims moved that hereafter repre-
sentatves who absent themselves from
the House session should have their sal
aries deducted. they being paid $50 a
ruled because 1t could only be decided
when a quorum is present.
quorum YVES finally secured shortly
before 10 o'clock pm. Mr.. Clayton OF
Alabama one Of the democratic leaders
in favor Of the bill. sought to have tho
House instruct the committee on rules tn
bring in by next Monday special rule
for immediate consideration of the omni-
bus claims bill and for its continuous con-
sideration until disposed of.
This was cruc al move In the nght.
The chair overruled the motion and Mr..
Clayton appealed. the House sustaining
the appeal overruling the chair on q ris-
ing vote 80 to 60. The ayes and NAYS
were demanded and another roll call fol-
lowed.
Heated Colloquy Adds Spice.
In debating the appeal from tho chair
on the Clayton resolution. democratic
members excoriated Mr.. Mann, who had
taunted them with knowing nothing
about parliamentary procedure MIR.
Mann smilingly observed that II 10 not
a bad thing to have conducted little
parliamenary school for the last forty
eight hours for the benefit OF the demo-
Gratis.
INSTEAD Of criticising me-" he said.
sthey ought to give mo q vote OF thanAs .
for teaching them something. sup
pose they will proceed with that same
brute force and lack OF Intelligence 10
override the tariff"
Heatedly replying. Mr.. Clayton said he
had never heard as much arrogance and