The Washington times., 1912-08-21
HOUSE GETAWAY
MAY Be DELAYED
BY LEADER MANN
Republican Filibuster Is
Feared by Members of
IT, Majority.

with everybody admitting It Is pos
sble to adjourn the present session Of
Congress Saturday, a tiff between Con-
gresham Mann, the minority leader,
and Congressman Underwood, the ma
jority leader of the House. is today
jeopardizing the chances for a prompt
getaway.
Unless the Democratic side gives the
minority some assurances regarding the
bringing in of the accustomed adjourn
ment resolution, a Republican filibuster
seems imminent, and it has all the mem
bers worried.
Asks For Date.
The House yesterday adopted three
conference reports and the legislative
ship was sailing along finely toward the
port of adjournment sine die when Mr..
Mann casually asked the Democratic
floor leader when 1t was proposed to
present the resolution setting a certain
date for ending the session.
After skirmishing about a bit, Mr.
Underwood observed that this resolu-
tion would not be presented until all
the appropriation bills had actually gone
to the President. This settled Mr.
Mann, who declared this was not Gus
tomary and the resolution giving notice
Of an early adjournment should be pre-
sented forthwith.
Point Of Quorum.
IF we are going to fool along this
way said Mr.. Mann, in substance, II
see no use in staying here late tonight
and make the point of no quorum"
Less than an half hundred members
were present when the roll call began
about o'clock. By straining every
point, the House rustlers corralled with
In six members of a quorum.
Everybody sat around and waited, and
the clerk finally whispered the House
lacked only two Of a quorum. About
this time, noting the lateness of the
hour. Congressman Moore of Pennsyl-
Vania made a motion to adjourn. Mr.,
Underwood opposed it. Mr.. Mann, now
In charge of neat little filibuster
which may be continued today, ask ed
for the yeas and nays on Mr.. Moore s
motion.
The majority leader said the demand
for the yeas and nays, practically in
terrupting the call of the House." was
dilatory.
1T may not be dilatory, but it's ag-
gravating," said Speaker Clark. with a
smile, and the members laughed.
The roll call on the motion to adjourn
was had and it developed that several
dozen members who had answered to
their names on the previous roll call
when the House lacked only two Of a
quorum-had slipped away again and
but, 1853 OF the required 1876 members
were present. The motion to adjourn
was defeated. but the House was fur
ther away from quorum than ever.
Adjournment Taken.
The statesmen, some Of them angry
and others apprehensive about adjourn
ment. waited around a few more minutes.
At last Mr.. Underwood observed 1t was
evident the House could transact no
further business that night and ad-
journment was taken.
Mr.. Mann said he did not desire to
start filibuster, but he did desire to
show the Democratic majority wasn't
on the job. There Is no reason, says
Mr.. Mann, for prolonging the session
more than forty-eight hours at the most
The prospects of a Mann flibuster,
which is not improbable in the event
the Democratic leadership does not
furnish some assurances as to the date
for the adjournment of the session,
have sent shivers down the backs of
those Congressman who have been
promising to get away from Washing
ton Saturday. Mr.. Mann, however, has
indicated he will not filibuster If the
House will get down to business, and If
he can obtain a promise as to adjourn
ment date. Otherwise. Mr.. Mann's q
piercing gray eyes are likely'to note the
absence of a quorum occasionally, and
he may make a lot of trouble