The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1911-02-24
BLOODLESS BATTLE
WAGED IN HOUSE
Wyoming Member And Delegate From
Alaska Mix When Lie is Passed
But Are Parted.

Washington, D. c.. Feb. 2S.-Another
bloodless battle was fought on the
floor of the house of representatives
late Thursday. 1t came during some
what heated debate on a bill for the
leasing of coal lands in Alaska
The lie was passed and Delegate
James Wickersham, of Alaska, made
a rush for Representative Frank w.
Mondell of Wyoming, seated at near
by desk. The big Alaskan's arm shot
out twice in the direction OF the gent
leman from Wyoming, but members
who surrounded the disputants at the
time say that both blows fell short.
The house was in an uproar in an
instant. Several members hurled
themselves at Wickersham, others
struggled with Mondell, who had gain
ed his feet and was making for his as
sailant. Representative Foster OF Yer
mont had taken Wickersham by the
throat This added to the uncontrolled
anger of the delegate and for the mo-
ment diverted his attack towards the
would-be peacemaker. Representative
Sisson of Mississippi was the first to
reach Mondell, who was endeavoring
to raise chair in which he had been
sitting to hurl it at his antagonist.
Members rushed toward the group
from either part of the chamber and
soon nearly hundred men were in the
crowd about the struggling legislators.
In the meantime Representative
Olmstead Of Pennsylvania. acting
speaker, was belaboring the desk with
the gavel and calling upon the SER
geant-at-arms to preserve order. The
historic mace of the house, the erl-
blem of authority, was lifted from it's
marble pedestal, and carried to the
floor by the house officials. The mem
bers, however, had taken the matter
in hand and had succeeded in bring
ing both Wickersham and Mondell to
a cessation of hostilities. When the
house was fairly quiet, Wickersham
clamored for recognition.
Il want the record to show that |
apologize to the house, but (his voice
rose to shout) want it also to show
that | was called liar"
Representative Tawney called at
tention to the fact that the language
used by the disputants was clearly un-
parliamentary and that there should
be an apology.
Il do apologize" Wickersham said,
Il lost my temper"
He sat down and Mondell arose.
my remark was not directed to-
ward the gentleman from Alaska. .
Mondell said, "and was not uttered in
a debate, but to the gentleman who
stood beside me. realize, however,
that I should not have used the word
here, or anywhere, for that matter,
and apologize to the house.
During the applause which followed
Mondell's statement, Tawney moved
that the house adjourn. On stand
ing vote the motion apparently carried,
but the opponents Of the Alaska leas-
ing bill demanded roll call. Under
the call the motion to adjourn was
lostfi and the leasing bill was then de-
feated, 151 to 90.
The bill had come up under sus-
pension of the rules and would have
required a two-thirds vote for adop-
tion.
Madison Of Kansas, and Oollie James
of Kentucky, both members of the Bal
linger-Pinchot investigation committee
led the attacks against the bill. Wick
ersham had joined the forces with
them. Mondell occupied practically
all of the time in favor of the measure.
The bill provided for the leasing Of
coal lands not to exceed 2,560 acres
on royalty basis Of from 8 to 10
cents per ton. The debate was sur
charged wits acrimony.