Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-22
DISPLAY Of temper
ONFL0OR Of HOUSE
Members Angered by Article
Recently Printed in the
Washington Times.
CHARGE OF LOCAL LOBBY
TO DEFEAT CONGRESSMEN
Resolution for Immediate Inquiry
Modified and Matter Goes to
Rules Committee.

mules committee.
After an outburst of sentiment almost
unparalleled In the House of Represent
atiVes, in which Representative Under
WOOD majority leader. had to take per-
sonar charge Of q purely local proposition
dealing with the District of Columbia. a
resolution to investigate u newspaper
charge that lobby exists In Washington
70 defeat all congressman inimical to the
haf-and-half pan, was referred to the
rules committee for deliberatve study
and proper action.
On no other proposition, not even the
| tariH ana currency bill, has there been
so Vioient scene in the House during
| this Congress
me entire matter arose because of a
publication In the Washington Times Of
a statement that there is an organized
| attempt In Washington to defeat Repre-
sentatlves Crisp and others In the coming
eiectlon, because of their advocacy oil the
plan to separate the District of Column
| oia from the United States In their fiscal
relations.
| Despite the fact that an authorized
| denlai OF the Times article was printed
| In The Star Saturday, scarcely any one
referred to the extreme doubt clouding
| the publication of the Times story ex-
| cept Representative Underwood, who,
| at the height of one of the stormiest
scenes the House has experienced for
| many day, stemmed the tide of per-
sonal rage. reminding the House that
| 1t should not throw it's dignity to the
| winds and ruch pellmell into any such
| investigation.
Demand for Inquiry.
| speech by Representative Johnson.
Oh mi aF h. nj
| who spoke of the newspaper article.
| and following him Mr.. Prouty asked
that his resolution be considered priv
| LEGGED.
The storm conferred over the PROPOSE
ton of Representative Fitzgerald and
| other leaders that the rules committee
| should take charge of the resolution
and that the District committee should
| not be empowered to Investigate
charges against itself.
| For time sentiment against the Dis
| trict of Columbia and against the news
paper article almost precipitated vote
| I'm favor of an immediate investiga tion by
| the very members affected by the article.
Representative Fitzgerald leaped into the
breach and stopped action at one time
| right in the midst of vote.
Verbal Riot Results.
There was a verbal riot. Back and
forth over the chamber ran the discus
sion. Members made speeches in which
they referred to their breasts being
barred to the storm. They made ora
tions OF patriotic character that would
scarcely ever be heard, except In times
Wnen the commonwealth is threatened
with disaster. upon the text of a news
paper article which has been denied.
In the midst Of this Representative
Underwood arose and cautioned wis
ooIn- he told the House to remember it
had dignity to preserve.
When the House voted it was III to So
following the cautious majority leader
advice; and the Prouty resolution will 60
20 the rules committee for deliberation.
Statements published In the Washing
| ton Times to the effect that an organi-
| zation had been effected in Washington
to prevent the reelection Of congress
men who advocated the Crisp bill abro-
eating the half-and-half principle caused
Representative johnson of Kentucky
chairman Of the House District commit
tee, to address the members of Congress
today In a personal appeal Despite the
fact that The Star had published an au-
thoritative denial Of the article, which
has also resulted in a resolution by Rep
| resentative Prouty to call for a con-
gressionaI investigation OF the alleged
lobby" Representative Johnson deliv-
cred a speech of personal privilege which
was remarkable for the invective which
1t contained.
Coupled with Mr. Johnson's address
Representative Prouty, member of
the District committee, introduced a
resolution, quoting the headlines and
portion OF the newspaper article and
providing for an Investigation of the
charges set forth therein.
Mr.. Johnson's speech contained MANY
references to the charges that he has
uttered against the District time and
ems again gam ,neludi1g the general
real estate rings. etc, are dominant
features of the life at the National
Capital He was 'applauded several
| umes by democrats. He announced
that the attack upon him would cause
MIN to go back to his people i'm Ken
lucky and say that he was more sane
tined than ever to the cause for which
ne had started to fght-namely. to pro
tect the people of the United states
against the depredations which he
clains the District Is making on the
United States Treasury.
Prouty Resolution.
me Frouty resolution states that the
washington Times carried an article
headed In large type clear across The
mont page. as follows:
nationwide fight on Crisp bill back.
ers-District champions unite in effort r.
prevent reelection" 1t also quoted con.
siderable Of the article, which alleged
that plans for a concerted fight agains
the reelection OF members who voted 70,
the measure are already under way. Tn,
resolution states that the .'alleeet
threats. II carried into effect, woult
menace the freedom of the action OF tn,
members OF the House. and asked tina
the committee on the District of Columbi,
or subcommittee. to be appointed b,
Representative Ben Johnson. chairman
l be empowered and instructed to make
full and thorough investigation of In
truth OF the facts set out and alleged /,
l said article"
The resolution asks that the invests.
ton ''be instructed and empowered to as
certain whether there is now or at an,
l time In tae east has been any organiza
l ton in the District of Columbia or else
l where that has or has had as it's nur
pose or object the securing or preventin
OF legislation affecting the relations be
| tween the federal government and IN
District Of Columbia or the citizens .
/ institutions thereof