The Washington times., 1914-02-01
Clayton and Adamson Reach a
"Dog Fall" After Confer
enCeS on ''FiNe Brothers."
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
SPLIT BETWEEN THEM
But the AIabamian Treasures a
Letter, While the Chatta-
hoochee Still Flows.
By THEODORE TILLER.

It's divertfng story, involving White
House conferences, a Senatorial cam
paign, two of the big committees of the
House and two ambitious and hard.
working legislators who are personally
the best of friends but who must spar
nevertheless, for legislative advantage
The Administration antitrust bills
are to be piloted through the House by
Congressman Henry d. Clayton of Ala
bama, chairman of the judiciary Com
mittee, and Congressman william c,
Adamson of Georgia, chairman of the
committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce. That seems a matter-of- fact
announcement, but don't overlook the
Chattahoochee river.
That muddy and somewhat sluggish
stream separates Georgia and Alabama.
The district of Judge Clayton comes
down to the waters edge on one side:
that of Judge Adamson constitutes a
. part OF the rivers Georgia shore Wal
ter johnson or Ty Cobb might be able
TO throw a ball across, although the
chattahoochee is no SLOUGH of a
stream.
Friendly Rivalry.
Before one learns how this affects
trust legislation. let it be said that at
this moment Chairman Clayton hugs to
his bosom three of the antitrust bills.
Chairman Adamson is chief custodian
of two additional measures, and argu-
ments may be had on both sides as to
the relative Importance of the respec-
tive bills.
There was a time when the uninforr1-
ed believed that the Judiciary Com
rnittee would assume charge of all the
bills-but that brings the story to the
rivers edge again, and, first, ii is well
TO say something about the friehdly
rivals in the House Of Representatives
The House woIld have to look far
10 find two trust-busters OF more dis
similar natures. Judge Clayton Is a
dignifed, methodicA statesman. believ-
ing thoroughly ti:at the Judiciary
Committee is the heavyweight commit
tee of the House. When that commit
tee Is in session peTched On a semi
circular dais. II looks like an enlarged
supreme Court, and about the only
things lacking in the piSture arc the
silk robes, the court crier, and the
guarding American eagle.
When the committee ErIngs in a bill
upon the House floor, Judge Clayton as
SUHles the ReneralshiJ in a manner that
convinces the House that serious busi-
iess is before It There Is little oy-play,
Cd, and he insists that the pending mat
ter shall be handled decOrously, i'm
FressiVely. expeditiOusly.
Always Maintains Poise.
The able chairman, OF the judiciary
Committee seldom loses his poise. II
II becomes necessary to reprove an
erring colleague, the job is done with
dignity. For instance, SUPPOSE a Re
publican. seeking to harass the chair
man Of the Judiciary Committee. IN
sists that his explanation Is not lucid.
Judge Clayton doesn't fly off at a tan
sent He merely straightens up, gIances
IeproVingly over his spec cCacIes toward
the ancient eneruy, aid in deep, Uhrob-
bing tones, says something like this:
Mr.. Speaker, I>have tried 10 make
his Point plain to all Intelligent men.
I regret that l cannot convey nv idea
&c the gentleman. but, unfortunately
Mr.. Speaker. I am not responsible for
The intelligence or lack Of intelliEence
Of my friend
Even in addressing the chair Mr..
Clayton reflects earnestness and dig
nlty. He arises deliberately and booms
Tor recognition, to wit:
Mis-tuh Spee-kur, Mis-tuh Spee-kur."
However. the dignity of Judge Clay
ION is not one Of preteise, is not Of
rensive. He is a serious-minded and
vet genial man. He is approachable
2pnging, painstaking in his devotion to
friends. Jealous in behalf of his con-
sutuentE. an interchangeable worker. and
A consistent champion Of the turisdIc-
uon and Importance of the big com
1nittee Of which he is chairman. He
would never attempt to Jolly" a bill
through the House. but the Judiciary
Committee has been a hard-working
organization since he became its head
tearly three years ago. II is not the
House ''morgue," as in the DAYS Of
cannon and Jenkins
Instances of Leadership.
The Clayton auti-injunction and anti
contempt bills and the Impeachment
resolution which eventually took Judge
Robert w. Archibald of the bench are
instances of his leadership.
Three benches to the right in the
House sits Judge Adamson He lounges
c2reiessly. seemingly unmindful Of the
battle Of debate. He wears a store
1ought' suit, which refuses to enfold
snugly the judges portIy frame. The
bosom Of his stiff shirt bulges like the
protruding breast of an Indignant |
Douter pigeon. His tie is awry' and |
appears to have an inordinate fondness !
for communion with the Adamsonian
eft ear. II the weather is hot the !
vest is opener there is no vest at all
and the coat and trousers are of un- |
pressed linen. ShOrt-cropped hair, /
which sometimes refuses to stay put, |
Surmounts an impressive head.
Perhaps Judge Adamson paid SIS for |
the suit. He says his son would pay
S55 for the same thing. because. the son, !
dressed up. doesn't know how to han
die the merchant
Manner in Debate.
The visitor in the galleries. who has
lad no opportunity to see Mr. Adam
son show his ability during his eighteen |
geaEs Of service in the House, probably !
wouldn't take him for the chairman of !
u committee. Judge Adamson affects |
hone Of the sartOriaI embellishments |
presumed TO go with places Of influence ]
and power. He's just an everyday sort \
Of fellow, with gray matter stored |
away for every emergency and with a
native ability to. handle the best Of
them in debate.
When he speaks he thrusts a thumb
"a each armhoie of his vest, pats his
nest with the unengaged fingers, and
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