The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-06-05
CONGRESSMAN AND
REPORTER BOUT
Amusing Violation of Con-
stitutional Right of Ameri-
can Lawmakers.

Washington. June SIN the calm
atmosphere Of the house judiciary
committee was bred today battle
parchment hearing but which caused
committee room. The participants
originally were Representative Thorn
as of Kentucky, democrat. and Joseph
Amin. a ninety-pound reporter for a
local newspaper. Later John Kirby,
connected with the Washington bureau
of New York publication. Joined in
the fray. Mr.. Kirby admits tipping
the scale at 135 pounds. while the con-
gresham is on the distant side of 200
and sturdy. The battle was declared
Mr.. Thomas. member of the COM
mittee. entered the committee room
some time after the hearing had start
ed. He was. flushed and apparently
laboring under excitement. waving a
copy Of the local newspaper ne pro-
ceeded to read an account Of yester-
which he construed as being a direct
attack on himself. He paid his COM
plfments to the newspaper fraternity
and withdrew. A few minutes later
he sent messenger in for Mr.. An
min. who promptly went into the hall.
Annin's paper published what
Thomas claimed was an untrue story.
judiciary committee and that he had
infrequently attended its inquiry into
the Archibald case. When Amin
Joined Thomas they soon were in
heated argument. Liar" flashed
back and forth. and then Kirby REIN
forced Amin. Thomas version. told
In formal statement. said Amin
struck him and that he struck back.
HE ran. still striking at me-"
Thomas added. land a fellow by the
name of Kirby ran up behind me and
struck me on the back of my head
They both grabbed me and threw me
to the floor but I freed myself and
arose and they both did running
stunt that would credit the champion
runner of America. I took after Kir-
by but he outran me and the last I
saw of him he was still burning the
winG'
affair the following describes the pro-
ceedings by rounds:
Round Thomas spared oratori-
cally for an opening and advanced
cautiously, waiting for an opening. It
came. Amin swung right to the jaw.
were struck. Still wrestling at bell.
Honors even.
Round 2-stil in clinch. Kirby
jumped lightly into corridor and col
lided violently with combatants.
Wrestling continued. with Thomas as
center Of flying pinwheel. Capitol
policemen were sought to referee
bout but could not be found. Honors
still even.
Round 3-Thomas displayed amaz-
ing footwork. but fell into trick play
and went down with a crash. Amin.
breathing heavily through an In
ctpient moustache was thrust violent
" aside by Kirby. who assumed easy
position astride Thomas. Thomas evil
dently in distress. crying 'he hit me
and much effort Thomas felt in his
pocket. Kirby decided to end the
bout. Thomas round. and fight.
Amin seeing Thomas motion to-
ward his pocket tripped lightly into
a nearby corridor and disappeared,
collidfng violently with Samuel Com
pers. president of the American Fed.
Grafton of Labor. who also was seek
ing safety in a nearby committee
room. Kirby. with equal alacrity, has
tened in an opposite direction, pursued
by Thomas
Kirby. in his flight. seized a mail
sack and dropped 1t as a barrier be-
fore Thomas impatient feet. While
ar ound the mail sack Kirby vanished.
1t is thought no action will be .,k-
en- by the committee. although assault
on member of congress by civilian
while the former is attending a ses-
sion is a grave infraction of the con-
protection afforded mem.
bers.