New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-08
LEGISLATORS YIELD
TO BASEBALL'S LURE
House, Without a Quorum, Un'
able to Dispose of Urgent
Deficiency Bill.
BUT KEEPS TRACK OF GAME
Few Members Present Get
Score by Parliamentary In
quiries, While Absentees
Are Sought in Vain.
From The Tribune Bureau

| TFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Oct IA ouorunless
! House kept track OF the score in the
worlds baseball series game to-day. In
structed the sergeant at arms to arrest
all absent members and adjourned with
out being able TO transact any public bust
ness. When adjournment was taken forty
seven members were needed TO make a
quorum. and kilograms demanding the
return OF absentees from all nearby states
were on the wires.
| The session OF the House proved two
| things-that members are forced 10 stay
in Washington against their viii and that
since they are here the baseball score
] has more interest than legislation. The
/ House marked time for nearly four hours.
and IL was a gloomy gathering. except
when some member arose and indirectly
informed his colleagues that the score
was so and so or that Baker had made
home run.
| AS soon as the House convened the ex-
pected happened. Mr.. Mann the minor
|
quorum. rollcall was demanded. Mr.
Mann insisting that since the President
was determined TO keep Congress in ses-
sion his party must keep a quorum on
hand TO do business. Requests OF Mr..
Fitzgerald TO send the urgent deficiency
bill TO conference without action Ivy a
quorum of the lower body were waved
aside.
The Tollcall showed the presence OF
only 1S2 members. and many of these
left the chamber as soon as they had
answered to their names. a few stray
glers came in during the afternoon. but
at best only l65 Of the necessary 2lj men,
bers were mustered.
Speaker and Leader Away.
The House machinery was badly
cloggod. Speaker Clark was away, and
| 50 was the majority leader. Mr.. Under
wood. The Speaker delivered a speech
J to-day at an industrial exposition in
| Knoxville. expecting only routine ses-
sion OF the House. Mr.. Underwood was
at Atlantic City. The sergeant at arms,
| the deputy sergeant at arms and the
clerk OF the House were absent on the
Knoxville trip. and Mr.. Mann doubted
the validity OF a blanket warrant issued
for the arrest Of absentees.
Representative Sherley. Of kentucky, ~
| Speaker pro tenn. signed the warrant. and
II developed that the chief clerk and the
| cashier of the House had been sworn In
to take the places OF the clerk and the
sergeant at arms Under these clrcum-
stances the warrant was issued and the
abscntccS were telegraphed 10 return 10
tho capital Immediately. II quorum is
not present tomorrow forcble means may
be employed 60 bring about the return OF
the recalctrants. as Mr.. Mann is obdurate
and has served notice that no further
business will be transacted In the absence
VI quorum.
without the presence OF quorum to-
day a member might obtain recognition
for only two purposes-a motion 10 nd
journ or R parliamentary inquiry. The
/, latter form of recognition was worked
overtime while the ball game was in
progress and the few members loungcd In
their seats.
mr.. Speaker. a parliamentary inquiry"
said Mr.. Mann. Would II be proper TO
inform the House that the score Is now
; TO in favor OF the Athletics
That isn't a parliamentary inquiry"
said Speaker Pro TEN. shcrley. trying 10
be severe and hiding a smile.
Bulletins" from the Game.
Again Mr.. Mann arose with "parlia-
mentary inquiry
els IT proper 10 ask II II is true that
Baker mas knocked homo run and