The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-27
POLITICS HALTS
MAN'SF UNERAL
Democratic and Republican
Undertakes, Both Colored,
Start General Fight.
PARTIES ARE ARRESTED
Matter Finally Settled BY Awarding
Job for 0bsequies to White
Bull Mooser.
PARTIES ARE ARRESTED

Extraordinary complications, growing
out of politics, interrupted the funeral
yesterday OF Charles Curtis, a colored
messenger, who for two years has been
employed at the House Of Representa-
tives. As a result there was a general
fight. arrests were made, and the funeral
was delayed for q day. Curtis. the de-
ceased. was active in local Democratic
politics. being organizer and president
Of the Personal Liberty League and edi-
tor of a local newspaper devoted to the
advocacy Of Democratic principles.
Yesterday morning George Robinson.
also colored, who Is the head barber at
the House barber shop and Is a Demo-
crat, called on the widow of Charles
Curtis to condole with her and discuss
the funeral arrangements. When he
learned that Mrs. Curtis had contracted
with a local undertaken. who is Re
I publican, TO officiate at her husbands
funeral he demurred strongly not only to
the price which had been agreed upon,
$ls7, but also to the politics Of the under
taker.
Against Husbands Politics.
He pointed out to the widow that 1t
was entirely out Of keeping with the
spirit of her late husband to turn bust
ness into Republican hands, and asked
for authority to employ a Democratic I'M
dertaker.
| Later the two undertakers appeared at
| the late Curtis home about the same hour
and there was not only a business clash.
but heated political discussion. and finally
the rival undertakers repaired to the
| House barber shop to interview Robin
| son, who was responsible for the compli-
cations
Once there, the discussion grew so heat
ed that finally blows were exchanged and
general fight ensued. Capitol police in
terfeTed and arrested all of the parties
| to the melee and took them before Capt
Megrew. superintendent Of the Capitol
police. The superintendent was unable to
, arbitrate the matter and was on the
point of referring the combatants to the
| Police Court when an agreement was
reached that the matter involved should
be referred to Jerry South, Chief Clerk
OF the House, as referee.
Important Hearing Held.
Mr.. South took the mater under ad-
visement after according a public hear
ing to the rival undertakers and their
friends. Robinson, the head barber, was
| involved, and he sent out and brought
Representative Cox OF Indiana, who has
stood political sponsor for him in pa
| tronage matters connected with the
House. before the arbitration tribunal.
and the hearing assumed rather an i'm
portant aspect before It was concluded.
But the rival undertakers were hardly
prepared for the judgment rendered by
Chief Clerk South, who is q Southern
Democrat from the State OF Arkansas
Mr.. South decided that both undertakers
] had acted in an indecorous manner, and
that their prices were rather high, and
he awarded the contract to a white I'M
| dertaker. much to the disgust OF the par
ties litigant.
Their disgust was increased somewhat
by the disclosure last night that the
white undertaken. who will bury the late
| messenger to-day. was conspicuous in
! the recent campaign as a Bull Moose.