The Washington times., 1914-10-19
FAILURE OF QUORUM
HALTS HOUSE WORK
Adjournment Made Uncertain by
Great Number of Members
Who Are Absent.

The adjournment plans Of Congress
were made uncertain today when the
House found itself without quorum.
and was forced to halt its business until
absentees can be summoned from nearby
States.
The failure to develop a quorum in
the House threatens to delay the
war revenue bill. although the chances
are still good that the session will end
Congressman Bathrick an Ohio Demo-
crat. made the point of no quorum
which stopped the House wheels of leg
islation this afternoon. Various men,
him to withdraw the point, but he was
obdurate. He later explained that he
made the point Of no quorum today to
gain time, as Congressman Henry of
Texas, or Democrat from some other
cotton-producing State, might raise the
Bathrick continued. to have the alb
sentees telegraphed for Immediately, so
the House can get down to business by
Wednesday.
On the roll-call today 100 House men,
bers answered to their names. This is
twenty-five shy of a quorum, and orders
We're issued to the Sergeart-at-Arms to
get out kilograms Immediately to bring
members back from their homes. Many
members left Washington late last week.
u
docking resolution.
Congressman Henry Of Texas today
prevented the sending of the war rev.
enue bill direct to conference, causing a
delay of at least one day in considering
that measure. When Leader Underwood
asked unanimous consent to send the
bill to conference, Mr.. Henry objected,
and the bill had to be referred instead
to the Ways and Means Committee. The
committee cannot report it back until
tomorrow. and the bill will not go to
conference before tomorrow night.
Congressman Henry privately explained
today that he will not further obstruct
the war revenue bill provided a way Is
found to consider cotton legislation be-
fore the session ends. If no rule can be
bill Henry and the coterie of Southern
members will fight the war revenue bill.
Trouble between the Senate and
House conferees over the increased tax
On beer. and over the tax on whisky is
anticipated. The Senate raised the war
on rectiied spirits.
House leaders are opposed to both
the increased tax on beer and the
whisky tax. 1t is expected there will
be a sharp wrangle over these features
Of the Senate bill in conference II
the House leaders have their way they
will put a tax on gasolene and will put
the beer tax at s1.50. At the same time
they will strike out the whisky tax.
Senate leaders are firm in insisting
that they will not consent to the plan
Of the House. They will fight to have
the beer and whisky tax kept at the
Senate figures and will oppose a gaso-
lene tax.
The situation Is such that the indica-
tons today are that II will require two
or three days to dispose Of the war tai
bill once 1t gets to conference. unless
there Is some unexpected yielding on
one side or the other. This makes the
outlook as to adjournment Of the ses-
sion uncertain.
Senator Simmons, chairman Of the
Senate Conference Committee, Is seek
ing for An early meeting Of the con-
ferees An informal meeting Of those
who Will serve on the House committee
with the members Of the Senate COM
mittee Is likely this afternoon or to-