Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-25
UNDERWOOD CAUSES
STORM IN THE HOUSE

A storm was precipitated in the House
today when Democratic Leader Under
wood offered a resolution to repeal all
leaves of absence to representatives in
Congress, to instruct the sergeant-at-
arms to bring all absentees back to
Washington and to deduct the salaries OF
those who remain away after today
unless through illness.
Republican Leader Mann headed the
opposition. declaring it was a gross in
justice to the northern members of the
House. including northern democrats.
inasmuch as the southern members
have had their primaries and are sure
Of election. while there are fights in al
most all of the northern districts.
Representative Oglesby, New York.
asked Mr.. Underwood II he would
amend his resolution to make it apply
from the beginning of this session.
Mr.. Underwood declined. explaining
that it was offered for the particular
purpose of bringing members back.
Mr.. Underwood said that he offered
the resolution not as a criticism, but
as a matter of government necessity.
He said he realized that this is po-
littcal year. but that 1t was necessary
and more important for representatives
to remain and attend to public bust
ness. He said that undoubtedly before
adjournment of Congress a bill would
be passed to meet the expected falling
on of $100.000,000 in customs revenue.
Republican Leader Mann said he
would like to ask some South Carolina
member question, paused and then re-
minded the House that all Of the South
Carolina delegation were at home at
tending the primaries.
Mr.. Underwood said public business
Is paramount to politics, and that If
public business continues even up un-
til election day it would be far better
then to take recess SO as to let all
members go home alike.
1T isn't fair" he said, ito have some
members kept here and to let others
neglect their duties and stay at home"
Mr.. Mann charged that majority of
the southern members have been away
attending primary campaigns and were
now assuming a virtue.
Mr. Underwood resented this as sec
tionalism. IF you want to draw Sec
tional lines as the men who stay on the
job" he said, you will find the south
ern members stay here a much greater
percentage of the time. When the Ala
bama primary took place the Alabama
delegation. with one exception, was on
the floor of this House, and that is true
of most of the other southern states"
Representative Donovan of Connecti-
cut a victim of an. automobile accident,
| with his face bandaged and his arm in a
sling, urged action. Representative john
son of Washington referred to him as
that battle-scarred veteran"
I'VE are facing additional revenue
legislation caused by disruption Of BUSH
ness brought about by the European
war admonished Leader Underwood
I'VE will probably lose s100,o00.00o in
customs receipts. There is distress
about in the land caused by business
disruption from the war;"
South Carolina Men Absent.
When Mr.. Mann vainly looked for a
single member of the South Carolina
delegation Representative Pou Of
North Carolina shouted, Here's North
Carolina"
YES replied Mr.. Mann, but you've
held your primaries"
Resolution Adopted.
The vote on division was al for and
Is against
On the roll call the resolution passed
213 to 27