The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-02-20
UNDERWOOD TALKS STRAIGHT
TO MEMBERS OF HOUSE FOR
DELAY ON APPROPRIATIONS.
MINORITY LEADER CRITICIzEs
Mann Says It lie Badly Disorsanlxed
and Charges Wilson With Inspiring
Fillbuster - Majority Leader De-
nounces Statement as Erroneous.

Washington, Feb. 20.-With the
House in tangle Of congested aprro-
priation bills, Democratic Leader Un-
derwood yesterday dropped his tariff
work and lectured the Democrats on
the necessity for speedy action ON the
supply measures.
In the course Of colloquy with MI
nority Leader Mann and Represents
tive Roddenberry of Georgia, the lat
ter filibustering against the appropria-
tion bills, Representative Underwood
declared emphatically it was not the
wish of President-elect Wilson that the
years appropriation bills go over until
the next administration.
ut is understood generally on this
side of the House." said Mr.. Mann,
"and also on the other side of the
House that it was the inspiration OF
the Democratic President-elect to pre-
vent the passage Of these appropria-
tiop bills at this session of Congress-
81 am not here" Mr.. Underwood re-
piled, with any authority to speak
for the next President, but will say
without having any special authority
that l am firmly convinced that any
such statement attributed to the next
President is absolutely erroneous"
'The time has come" continued
Mr.. Underwood, when gentlemen on
the Democratic side of the House, as
well as those on the other side, should
realize their responsibility to the
American people A filibuster against
these bills at this stage is indefensi-
ble."
None of these bills carries appro-
priations necessary before the first OF
next July" interrupted Representative
Roddenberry.
mo" retorted Mr.. Underwood,
"but this Congress is responsible for
these bills, not the next Congress"
"ought Republican Senate be al
lowed to shape this bill, with Demo
cratic Senate to meet within a few
weeks?" asked Mr.. Roddenberry.
az am as intense a partisan as there
is on this floor" said Mr. Underwood,
"but I do not believe we should allow
these bills to go over"
Mr.. Mann characterized the majority
as disorganized, declared that the ap-
preparation bills had been delayed un-
til it was impossible to get them
through without setting aside the rules
and that he was delighted to see the
gentleman from Alabama back from
his labors in the tariff hearings.
His services are sorely needed
here said Mr.. Mann. 81 never saw
a more demoralized lot of fellows
than he has had in his absence. You
can't rnu the House of Representatives
OIL the principles of town meeting
and you are just finding it out"
Former Speaker Cannon also de-
nounced the flibuster.
Indications of a filibuster against
the sundry civil bill, carrying 113 mill
lion dollars, brought Representative
Underwood to the floor. One Demo
crat, Representative Roddenberry, vot-
ed against a special rule limiting de-
bate and when the measure was taken
up apparently all idea of delaying its
passage had been abandoned. Reading
OF the bill continued until 10:45 o'clock
last night and was nearly half complet-
ed when the House finally adjourned.
after being in session continuously for
more than twelve hours.