The Washington herald., 1913-12-23
HOUSE MEMBERS
SHOW BRAVERY
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one thing to oppose an influence armed
with votes, and quite another matter
when hostile influence has no vote with
which to back up 4ts contentious.
Criticism by Moore,
I" II is very odd circumstances" said
Representative Moore, Of PhiIadelpbia.
that this House, made UP of the states
men OF the nation, should be able to de-
vote one hour and a half Of this morn
ing's session, on the eve of a Christmas
adjournment, to the discussion of a
newspaper report written by one news
paper reporter in the City of Washing
ton, affecting the personal feelings of
some of the members, when IL could not
give forty minutes on Saturday last to
the discussion of the great currency bill
for which the nation is waiting
Second, II is very odd that the Rentle-
man from Iowa (Mr. Prouty) should be
in such a state of mind oven the ebulli-
ton of one newspaper reporter, that he
must delay the proceedings of the House
this morning on such a trivial business
as that OF investigating what one news
paper reporter has said.
There is no other way for the people
of the District of Columbia to obtain a
hearing except through the newspapers
Of their city, and 1t is strange indeed,
that members can refuse to investigate
unions Of one kind or another, which
have votes in the districts from which
the members come; that those members
can find time here to avoid an investiga-
ton vital to their own welfare at home,
but can still take the time OF the House
to move an Investigation against the peo-
pie of the District of Columbia who
have no votes at all. Why do they not
inquire as to the pretenses of certain
labor leaders that members OF Congress
cannot come back unless they vote as
these leaders dictate? They do not in
quire into that because there are labor
votes at home.
Fear of the Voters.
"why do they not investigate the ag-
gressions OF the good roads boomers, and
the good waterways boomers, II you
please?
Because they have votes back home
that influence members of Congress.
But when it comes to the feeble lit
tie District of Columbia, with about 3OO,-
900 people in II, not one of whom has
a vote or can speak for himself at all
in the House, the members get courage |
Gus; then they step forward and bare |
their breasts and talk Of intimidation |
and OF fear"
Mr.. Moore waited for the laughter to |
subside before continuing:
"Oh. brave men come out of the coun- |
try. Brave men come TO Congress. They |
are so brave in their hearts on this vital |
day OF this great session OF Congress, |
that they would investigate at the eX-
pense of the government, the poor little
District Of Columbia, where there are no |
votes at all. This is big work for the
home folks to ponder over"
In calling the attention Of the House,
to the spectacle a few
were making Of themselves, Ma
ority Leader Underwood said:
There certainly is considerable doubt
IN my mind as to whether a body OF
,itizens in the city of Washington would
% so unwise and so unpatriotic as TO
attempt to intimidate Congress. II they
nave done so they ought to be brought
before the bar of this House. But II
hey have not, / should dislike very
much to see the House put itself in the
idiculous attitude of attempting to run
Ifter a shadow.
Warning by Underwood.
IT should regret to see the members
4 the House. because Of a mere item
n a newspaper, that has been corrected
o some extent, rush headlong without
arefuI consideration into ordering this
when We are not sure as to
whether the charges have been made
y authority OF any citizens or body of
itizens."
Mr.. Underwood's remarks, preceded by
imilar warnings from Representative
fitzgerald, chairman of the Appropria-
ions Committee, and others, were made ]
I time when the House was in a fair
Fay to follow the course desired by I
udge Prouty, johnson, and a few othes
rebrands. 1t was OF little interest to
he membership of the House that the
esolution directed the investigation to
9 made by the same men who claimed
D be threatened, and whose principal
lterest in the investigation would be to !
ull material helpful to themselves IL
lch an attack should be made upon
hem. 1t was of even less import that
le effects OF the whole seance, If the I
,rms of the resolution should be car s
ed out, would be to intimidate citizens l
, the District to the point where they J.
ould not dare even to protest against =
ITS of Congress which appeared unwise 7
unjust to the District. +
Does the gentleman think this is an +
tempt on the part of the District tc V
rrorize Congress, or an attempt on n
Q part of several members of Congress
terrorize certain Newspapers per-
iently queried Minority Leader Mann,
lille Representative Kahn. of California,
Is speaking.
L required a roll call vote before the
solution finally was referred to the Z,
lies Committee, the verdict being III
sS.