Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-12

that has been aroused by this bill.
Senator's Vardaman of Mississippi and
West Of Georgia came near to blows.
creating a scene such as had not been
| witnessed on the floor in many years.
Apparently only the interference OF
Senator Ashurst and the presence Of the
sergeant-at-arms prevented a physical
encounter. 1t all lasted less than
minute. but in that time the senate.
worn down by long debate and night
sessions. livened UP and displayed an
interest in things such as has not been
evident in weeks.
The trouble started after bitter ex-
change between Senator vardaman and
Senator James. who had vigorously criti-
cised the Mississippi senator and in turn
had been told that he was not stating
the truth.
When Senator vardaman sat down.
Senator West took the floor and also
entered a protest against the recent
charge Of Senator Vardaman that those
who voted for the repeal bill were guilty
of treachery to the democratic party. He
referred to the charge that the Carnegie
foundation had expended $4,000 to boost
the repeal bill.
who knows" added the Georgia SEN
ator, but what the shipping interests
have spent 500. 900 in order to secure the
defeat of this bill"
Have you been offered any?" asked
Senator Vardaman. AS he spoke. he rose
| to his feet and started toward the Georgia
senator. who was only a few feet away.
Don't you say that to me-" said
Senator West, shaking his head.
WELL" said Senator Vardaman, still
| advancing with his arms half-raised
you are making an intimation that
| somebody else has been Influenced"
Senator Ashurst Interposes.
BY this time the two senators were only
~ Few feet apart, but Senator Ashurst
one>sT - biggest men in the Senate, had
stepped between them. He laid his left
arm across Senator Vardamans chest
and extended his right toward the
Georgian and tried to pacify them, but
they kept talking.
In the meantime members who had
been In the cloakrooms tried to tumble
out Of the doors all at once, and the gal
leries were half filled with people lean
ing forward with the expectation OF see
ing real fight.
Senators will please come to order"
shouted Senator Swanson, who was pre-
siding. The senators will please take
their seats and the sergeant-at-a rms''-
Here he was interrupted, but Sergeant
alarms Higgins had heard enough and
he walked QUITO where the two senators
stood glaring at each other across the
outstretched arms of Senator Ashurst
to stop whatever might be started. Mr..
West insisted upon explaining.
Il did not say in writing or other
wise he started to explain.
The senators will please take their
seats" urged the presiding officer, while
the galleries and the republican side Of
the Senate in particular looked on as if
at play.
mo. I am not going to sit down." con-
ttnued Mr.. West. and Senator James
tried to explain that the Georgia SEN
ator was trying to make no charges.
Explanations Follow.
Finally all resumed. their seats with
out a blow on either side. Both Sen
ators West and Vardaman explained
later that they meant no reflections upon
any one in what they had said
Later Senator Williams made a short
speech criticising Senator vardaman
Il decline to answer any questions of
the senior senator from Mississippi he
asks of me-" announced Senator Varda-
man. "Of course, it is well understood
that the senior senator from Mississippi
never approves of anything do. 1 care
absolutely nothing whether l please or
displease him. My conduct is controlled
by myself without regard to his opinion
of what I do"
For awhile the Senate looked for q
fresh outbreak. but the trouble subsided
and the steady grind Of debate went on.