New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-09
BAT COMES TO RESCUE OF
HOUSE LACKING QUORUM
Furnishes Diversion by CirCIlng
About the Heads of Dodging
Representatives.
MANN VEXES DEMOCRATS
Minority Leader Questions Au-
thenticity of Letter Desig-
mating Sherley Speaker
Pro Tenn.
Iron The Tribune Bureau. !


Washington. oct. s.-Despite orders sent
TO all absentees in nearby states to re-
turn Immediately 10 their duties. the
House again found itself without a quo
rum to-day. Mr. Fitzgerald. in charge
Of the deficiency appropriation bill. kept
the body In session three hours. hoping
for the appearance OF the recalcitrants.
but when adjournment was taken TWEEN
ty-one additional members were needed
10 transact business.
Mr. Mann. the minority leader, per-
sisted In harassing the Democrats who
have failed 10 keep a working majority
in washington. irrespective OF the White
House dictum that there can be no recess
nor adjournment until the currency bill
becomes law
A bat which few into the House cham
Der shortly before the body was called 70
order furnished about the only diversion
FOR the waiting members to-day. For two
hours the visitor circled about the dodg-
Ing heads Of Democrats and Republicans,
causing Mr.. Mann 10 observe:
Because OF the slim attendance In this
House the bats are taking possession Of
the chamber"
At the time less than twoscorc men,
beers who had answered 10 the rollcall
were ION the job" having despalred OF a
quorum
Partisan snarring began az soon as the
House convened Speaker Clark and Mr..
Underwood. majority leader. we're both
absent, and It was necessary for the
Speaker to make a long-distance designa-
ton OF a Speaker pro tenn, the rules pro-
vidlng that such designations cover only
one day. Mr.. Sherley. OF Kentucky, who
acted as Speaker yesterday. mounted the
rostrum and presented a letter. presum-
ably signed by Mr.. Clark. naming Mr.
sherley as Speaker for the day.
Mann Questions Letter.
rs that letter dated today asked Mr.
Mann
1T IS" said Mr.. Sherley.
IT don't see how that is possible" said
the minority leader. The Speaker is out
OF the city and could not have signed the
paper II some other person has fraudu-
lently signed it. the designation may be
questioned"
do you charge that the paper has
been fraudulently sgnedY' asked Mr..
Bartlett. a Georgia Democrat
Il said r." parted Nr. Mann, but 1t
appears to me that this letter has been
signed by the secretary 10 the Speaker
Mr. Sherley asserted that the letter was
on the stationery OF the Speaker Of the
House and the signature appeared to be
genuine. so Mr.. Mann, mumbling his dis
belief Of the genuineness OF the docu-
ment, took his seat Speaker Clark is
presumed to be in Wheeling to-day and
is expected back tomorrow.
During the wait for quorum. which
didn't appear, Representative Donovan.
insurgent Democrat sought recognition
for parliamentary inquiry asking:
'Is 1t true that not member Of the Mis-
souri, delegation in this House has been
present either yesterday or to-day
The chair wasn't Informed, but said the
Record" would reveal the Missouri abb
sentees.
Mr.. Mann suggested that the world
series game was being played In near
by city to-day and that possibly the SER
geant at arms might find certain abb
sentees there.
The House issued another warrant for
absent members. and the Democratic
leaders. such as are present, hope TO be
able to do business tomorrow.