The Washington times., 1912-06-07
HOUSE IS AMUSED
: AS MOSS AND AKIN
WAGE VERBAL DUEL
Members In Glee AS Com
fnittee Chairman and New
Yorker Snarl.

The habitues of the House galleries
leaned over expectantly today in anti
cipation of hostilities between Congress-
man Akin of New York and Congress-
man Moss of Indiana, but the affair
ended in talk. The two members
FLASHED verbally because of resolution
introduced by Mr.. Akin which declares.
In effect, that the Moss Committee OF
the House has been negligent in not
instituting an investigation Of the
Weather Bureau and it's chief, Willis L.
Moore.
Z Chairman Moss, OF the Committee on
Expenditures in the Department OF
Agriculture, was In an indignant frame
OF mind when he arose today to answer
the Akin resolution. In parliamentary
language he placed DOC" Akin In the
Ananias Club. When Mr.. Moss had
concluded Congressman Akin, who had
been slowly moving down the aisles
toward the Indiana member, asked for
"For what purpose does the gentle
man riser asked Speaker Clark:
Mr. Akin. who is a pure enough insur-
"The question is not debatable." said
the Speaker.
proceed for ten minutes" interposed
Mr.. Akin. '..
r. Mann Objects.
ct don't think we want to talk about
the weather today" objected Mr.. Mann,
the minority leader, while Mr.. Fitz-
gerald also showed signs of objecting.
G"I can get through in two minutes"
said Mr.. Akin, compromisingly.
The time was allotted him and the
Now York member utilized about ten
seconds of the time in the following
burning comment:
1T haven't had time to prepare an
answer, but I say this: I stand by my
resolution"
Z The New York member waved his
hands in the, air. glared at MT. MOSS
and sat down. Mr.. Moss glared also,
and just then another member moved
over to Congressman Moss and said'
sub rosa:
What the - did you pay any atten-
: During his lengthy explanation to the
House, Congressman Moss denied that
his committee had ever promised Mr..
Akin an investigation of the Weather
Bureau, as set forth in the Akin reso-
luton proposing to take the matter out
Of the hands of the Moss committee and
to name a special investigating commit
tee. Mr.. Moss said the committee on
expenditures in the Department OF Ag-
McCabe controversy, the Everglades
controversy, the Meat Inspection Serv-
tee, and the Drainage Bureau, and a
few other things.
1--WE have done harder work than any
committee in this House." he shouted
Sometimes we have held two sessions
q day. I do not propose to have any
member Of this body, by resolution or
we have been neglectful of our duties
We never promised the gentleman from
New York to make an investigation
and he has not been inside the com.
rnittee room that I know OF The chiei
ment before the committee some time
ago, and following that every oppor-
tunity was given to bring specific
charges against the Weather Bureau,
but none has been brought"
Longworth's Joke.
Congressman Longworth attempted tc
act as peacemaker by suggesting to
strike out the word bureau" and have
an investigation of the weather.
I'm sure everybody would welcome
an investigation of the weather; 1t Ii
abominable." said the perspring states
man from Ohio.
no effect upon the Akin Moss imbroglio
and the latter continued to assail Doc
Akin. who is always on the trail o
someone.
Il want to say in conclusion" saiC
Mr.. Moss, that a man who will intro
duce a resolution which says Con
gressional committee is not doing 1T
duty. unless he has actual proof, be
longs to one Of two classes. He Il
easily misled or he will make state
Inent absolutely unfourded on fact"
At this point the galleries leaned owe
to watch the restlessness of Congress
man Theron Akin, who Is known a
% the man without a party" Mr.. Akil
stood uat on his resolution and promise
to say something later, and everybod
in the House except Mr.. Moss and Nj
Akin laughed as the belligerents locke
daggers at each other.