The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-20
Roosevelt Men Bolt

1IltdEOs June lt.-AIltT u pdIlldl DOi9 during which Roosevelt members of the national convention credentials commit tee spectacularly rushed from the cou- mittee rooms tonight all Roosevelt mem- bers except R. R. McMcCormick of Chi cago left the committee room at 11:45 o'clock. The second and more determined bolt came after several of the mem- bers who first rushed out were persuaded to return. It was stated the bolt was ordered personally by Colonel Roosevelt and was because Roosevelt adherents could not get full hearings on contested seats which they demanded.
 After the Roosevelt men had left the committee took up the cases but had not proceeded far when a motion to ad- journ until 9 o'clock tomorrow morning was proposed and carried.
 Senator Dixon, who had been hurriedy summoned after the first bolt, left with the Roosevelt men.
 These men are tired and will go home and go to bed" he said. "I think the other fellows are wasting time to stay here tonight"
 Francis J. Heney and Hugh T. Hal bert of Minnesota, who mad led the bolt, were the only ones who would talk at length on the situation. 'Ts this bolt?" MT. Heney was asked
 You can call 1t what you want to. he said.
 Contests Were Farce
 "The cases that were heard before the national committee were a farce and this is worse one. The line up was per fectly plain, 32 to 19.''
 MT. Halbert declared the break came because the committee limited time and excluded evidence.
 We claimed and insisted that the cre- dentials committee should hear all evl- dence. as court of original Jurisdiction; and that the national convention, not the credentials committee should be the court of last resort" Within a few minutes after the first bolt most of the members were back in the committee room, apparently con vineed they had acted prematurely. Sen | ator Dixon, Clifford Pinchot Amos Pin | chot and James R. Garfield rushed about | the Coliseum annex, In which the meet ing was held. conferrihg with the bolters and attempting to bring some order tc | the situation.
 The proposed adoption of rule limit ing argument of confessed election cases before the credentials committee to five | minutes for district cases and 10 min utes for state cases, precipitated the bolt George l.. Record conveyed this infor- nation to Colonel Roosevelt over the tel | ephone.
 q then went into the committee room,' | he said, "and told our men that it was | Colonel Roosevelt's desire that we leave | if such rule was adopted" Rules That Brought the Fight | The rules which brought on the fight were presented by James A. Hemenway of Indiana They provided: That no contest cases should be con sidered except those appealed from the decisions of the national committee. 1 That none should be taken up where | the decision of the national committed had been unanimous. | That cases should be consolidated ! where such action had been taken al | the previous hearing. | That the contestants who were not seat | ed (usually the Roosevelt mem should | open the arguments.
 That ten minutes be allowed for state cases and five for district cases. for | counsel on each side. | That no evidence be considered that was not considered at the previous hear | ing.
 | The last two provisions brought on the fight Hugh T. Halbert of Minnesota and | other Roosevelt men claiming the com mittee should open all evidence in all cases.
 After the return of the Roosevelt mem. bers, an amendment was introduced mak
 ing the limit of time on state cases B minutes for each side and for distric
 cases 15 minutes.
 Before adjourning the committee adopt
 ed the amended rules by a vote of S6 to 4
 Chairman Devine said the adjournmen
 was taken because most of the contestins delegates had left the Coliseum.
 Vote and Rule Adoption .
 On the roll call adopting the rules, R. R Mccormick of Illinois. Cheney SticlSler O. l Idaho. w $. Lauder of North Dakots