The Washington herald., 1913-10-15
HOUSE MEMBERS
flee FROM CITY
inability to Keep Quorum
Here Alarms the
Leaders.
NO WORK TO BE DONE
Criticism Leveled at President Be-
cause He viii Not Per-
NIT Recess.
NO WORK TO BE DONE

Unless there is q change in the present
state OF affairs President Wilson soon
viii have "do-nothing Congress- on
his hands. The President has won out
in his desire that Congress shall remain
in session while the banking bill is un-
acted upon, but the fact is that neither
House is turning a wbssl.
The House as at present constituted is
made up of more than $50 members. Just
lT9 answered their names when the roll
was called yesterday. Last Saturday
when the House adjourned about go
members were in town. Since then men,
bcrs have been piling out on every train
with the result that the deficiency bill,
which is burdened with important ap-
preparations and legislation, lies on the
Speakers table. Republican members of
the Senate have given notice that they
are willing to stay in Washington If
legislation is TO be considered, but they
do not intend TO take adjournments
twice a week, or as one of them put il,
ping pong from Monday to Thursday,
and from Thursday TO Monday until the
appropriate committee has reported the
banking and currency bill"
There is decided opposition among Re-
publicans in both houses to the twice.
a-weeK recess, and the plan cannot be
4 quorum in Washington.
1t appears to be comparatively easy
TO get q quorum to Washington, but
a difhcult task to keep IL here. Dur
ing the worlds baseball games last
week the House sat daily twirling it's
thumbs, awaiting the return of a suf-
icient number or members to make a
quorum. A quorum was in attendance
Friday and Saturday, but it has dis
appeared again.
No Quorum Present.
When the House was called to order
Yesterday Republican Leader Mann
suggested the absence of a quorum.
Everybody knew that a majority was
not present, and some of the Demo-
Gratis expressed displeasure over the
motion made by Mr.. Mann. The roll
was called, and fifty-six members less
than a quorum was shown to be pres
ent. Accordingly, the House adjourned.
Democratic Leader Underwood then
moved that all absentees be instructed
10 return to Washington at once.
, Representative Henry Barnhart of
Indiana. who was ordered to return to
Washington last week, made sug-
sestion. He recalled that last week
only Eastern members and those in
the West living east OF the Mississippi
were directed to return.
Tell 'em all to come back: not just a
few as you did last week." said Mr..
Barnhart.
Mr.. Barnhart was resting quietly in his
Indiana home when the leading Republi-
can newspaper in his district came out
with an article. over which appeared
headlines reading as follows: Hank
Barnhart ordered arrested; not attending
to his public duties in Washington" Hank
packed UP. and took the first train to
Washington.
The unwiIlinGness Of House members to
stay in Washington at this time causes
he Democratic leaders great uneasiness.
rhev fear that the same situation is
bound TO develop in the Senate. The
Tpectacle would then be presented Of
congress being technically in session, but
Unable TO transact public business be-
aUse OF absenteeism. The blame would
ItGach TO the Democrats, as they are in
ontrol, having a majority in both
Houses. They are responsible for legis-
alton. and the responsibility for the at
enhance of quorum also is theirs.
The committee is not expected to con-
lude its labors until November 30. or
hereabouts Accordingly. the movement
or a recess is still on. Hope is expressed
y House leaders. that the President will
ee the error of his way, and consent TO
recess beginning late this month and
asst until about November 2S.