The Washington times., 1914-10-03
Johnson DOCKED,
PROTESTS TO HOUSE
Pink Slip" Rule Robs Him of
Two Months SaIary-Makes
Angry Complaint.

sing to 4 question of privilege,
I"TSressman Ben Johnson of Kentucky,
| n man of the District Committee,
frt Arly complained in the House today
lh5 he had been locked for two
/ nc 7ths' salary by the sergeant-at-arms,
flthough he had been present virtually
tv"ry day during August and Septem-
be
MT. johnson said the sergeant-at-arrns
a docked him because he had declined
o sign the pink slips upon which the
House official asked members 10 certify
whether they are subject TO cut in pax
|1r Ter the Underwood docking resolu-
| 10 D because Of absenteeism.
: sserting that he had always been
feEu ular attendant in the House and had
mi Ssed only three days during the two
n nths mentioned. during which time
be went hcme to lay a cornerstone of
bu olic building-Mr Johnson said:
TIE feeble plea of the sergeant-at
rms for docking me is because l have
o. consented to be the judge. witness,
| mi jury Of my own case by signing
blank sent me to certify whether 1 was
Ncused for being absent under section
10 Of the Revised Statutes
eign the slip and wanted to know If
there was not some way to get his
money by ruling from the Speaker
who knows that I have been present
bee nearly all the tirnc.''
Speaker Clark said that the sergeant
1T arms. as disbursing officer of the
House, must find out in his own way
what his duties were.
Does he not incur a risk in refusing
10 pay me?" asked the indignant Mr..
pC7nson.
Wants New Committee.
That is a legal proposition that the
ia Speaker Clark.
Il defy anybody to find authority for
|io king a man when he has been pres
en'" said Mr.. Johnson angrily.
Quite a colloquy ensued between the
* 7tuckian and the Speaker. but Mr..
- TX said that the sergeant-at-arcIs
N st make his own ruling under the
Re ent docking resolution.
Republican members laughed heartily
hr-ing the performance, as they had
pr dicted trouble over the docking plan.
NJ. Johnson wanted to know if there
|wss no committee TO investigate the ac-
ccints of the sergeant alarms. The
Ep' aker said he knew of none.
there ought to be a committee,
eaii Mr.. Johnson, ito Investigate
u ether the sergeant-at- arms has paid
eo~Ieb6dy he has no right to pay. when
~ refuses to pay somebody he should
pay"
Congressman Johnson said he intend
pd 20 find out If everybody had been
booked as they should have been
Minority Leader Mann observed that
tfe sergeant-at-arms was entitled to
require a certificate from members as to
whethed their absence was due to sick
ncSs, which is the only thing excusable
lIn Ter the docking law. 1t was this cer-
that Mr.. johnson refused to
sign.
eGntlemanly Method.
The minority leader said he thought
the sergeant-at-arEns was pursuing
the most gentlerailly method POSSIBLE
u der the circumstances. Congress-
r an Garrett asked Mr.. johnson if he
ID q not think that those who make
la should hesitate to stand on tech
b ..lities. but instead do all in their
F wer tc uphold the Law
congressman Johnson again r"ite--
= n that the serceant-at-arms had no
u b IT to dock him when the journal
IS wed and everybody knew he had
h n present during the two months.
There ought to be some way sad
johnson, Ito prevent the sergeant-at-
q rms from holding up any one he de-
Is -es because he refuses to sign 4 pa
r Kht tc demand that he sign"
.iT. oJhnscn said he was satisfied
|: - the sergeant-at-arms had paid
persons who were absent last month
v lille refusing TO Jay him who was
b sent. The kentucky member, how
e er. was forced 10 taxi his seat with
" finding n remedy for his predica
n Mt
Ongressmen Donovan of ConneCticU:
8 q Hay of Virginia halted the collp-
{. .r, which had grown general on the
= rject OF absenteeism. by demanding
[, regular order" which was the
! tinuance of debate on the Philip
7 q fII