The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-20
TEN THOUSAND MEMBERS OF A. 0. H. ASSEMBLE FOR
 43RD ANNUAL CONVENTION
RAINEY MAKES FIERCE ATTACK
 ON REP. AUSTIN


 Washington. Aug. Exchanged with being the champion of the water power trust" Representative Richard W. Austin, a Republican from Knox vile, Tenn..i was, today. the subject of an attack by Representative Rainey, Defd.. Ills.). so violent that it startled the House. For an hour, with scathing sarcasm and bitter irony, Rainey lashed Austin He de- clared the Congressman had held a Tennessee waterpower franchise to the trust and reminded Austin of the lat ter's recent promise in the House Co resign if he was found connected in any way with the monopoly.
 Austin was given an hour to reply to Rainey The duel between the two House. today, to real business The House met two hours earlier than us- ual for the set-to.
 Rainey opened his attack with a general broadside against the trust" He then declared that Austin was urg- ing the House 10 pass bill giving five valuable power franchises in Tennessee to the Tennessee Hydro Electric Co. Rainey charged Ausfinss friends were the real beneficiaries-
 No members of this House" said the IlIfnoisan. "is on the cioeer terms  tatives of the waterpower trust than the gentleman from Tennessee The trail from his Congressional offices heEe leads to the office Of a Wash ington waterpower concern"
 The quarrel, today, between the Rep resentatives was the continuation Of the personal affray held recently fn fhes House when Rainey blocked com sideration of hydro-electric company franchise bills.
 Quoting court record as his author sity Rainey charged Austin with se- curing large profits by selling his in- terest in the Knoxville WaterpoweE Company for $150O00 to the trust He said Austin vas recorded as an Hincorporator of the Knoxville company RIn 1901 r when Austin was United sSkates nearshaT
 Reading from the court transcript. Rainey said Austin received 912191 in stock and $Ss0O0 in bonds for an in~ vestment of $215O. Later. he eaf4. Austin shared in profits of s3s,000
 Tt is singular coincidence" said Rainey, t'that after he became inter- ested as member of Congress in the rivers of Tennessee that the efforts to turn over, this valuable franchise 10 the waterpower trust at considerable profit were crowned with success"
 ''Mr Austin is planning to deliver his native city Of Knoxville bound and gagged to the waterpower trust" con- tinued Rainey.
 Rainey also stated that the ineor- porators of the Tennessee Hydro-E Elec- tric Company were under the com plete personal control and domins- tion'' of Austin. The IIlinoisan said Austin treated with William Nelson Cromwell Panama revolutionisf. manipulator and manager of the French Panama Canal enterprise. to sell the Knoxville company's fran- chise. Rainey said the efforts were unsuccessful until an option of sale was given to F.. R. Weller, whom Rainey characterized as water power lobbyist promoter"
 Austin sat through Rainey's attack making frequent notes for his reply.
 Hot with indignation, Representa- tive Austin retorted in kind to Rainey-
 He frankly admitted his interest in the Knoxville sWaterpower deal put said his net profits were $5,000 for 10 years services.
 aaTheres isn't a man on this floor who would impeach my integrity or that of other memberse who have offered waterpower bills except yous' said Austin shaking his fist at Rainey- it': iN0w put that in your p'Ds ana .01s
 The Tennessee member declared that Rainey himself had once voted for a waterpower bill after dining at res- taurant with promoter
 You didn't vote for the Dlii untt after you had dined with the lobby ist,' Austin shouted.
 ssIIe wants to weave a. web or gus nicior unjustly and untruthfully aDoUt me- he continued. Seeking to m iure me with. my colleagues can five long and happy whether he be- lieyes in my honor or not"