New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-07
Ashurst Hurdles Desks
and Shakes Fist in ..
CurtiS'S Face.
CORRUPT PRACTICES
ACT STARTS BATTLE
Democrats and Republi-
cans Bare Expenditures
of Each Other.
Prom TIE rr;bun. Bureau

Prom he -rihune Bureau
Washington. Sept. 6.-The dignihed
Senate was thrown into an uproar to-
day. when Senator Ashurst. OF Ari-
rona, hurdling chairs and brushing
his colleagues aside. rushed across the
aisle and shook his fist in the face Of
Senator Curtis. OF Kansas. This was
part Of his reply 10 an attack on him
By Mr. Curtis. Senator Curtis smiled
blandly during the incident and rose
a second later to interrupt the Arr
conan, who refused, however, 20 yield.
A little later Senator Penrose re-
marked that the most recent lobby,
that which had fought the tax on cop
per out Of the revenue bill. had
counted on Senator Ashurst most con
fdently
"If the Senator says that the cop
per or any other lobby Influenced my
vote he lies!" shouted Mr.. Ashurst.
At once a dozen Senators we're on
their feet
=
ed us that II the Senator from Penn
sylvania says my vote was Influenced
by the copper lobby or any other
lobby he lies. Does the Senator say
so >"
Il don't know said Senator Pen
rose. coolly. except that the Senator
from Arizona exhibited a suspicious
zeal. Appearances are sometimes de-
ceiving. Maybe ry eyesight was not
good
Mr.. Ashurst seemed satisfied with
this and withdrew his comment.
Owen Bill Starts Fight.
The whole controversy began short
~ after the Senate. by vote Of 81
70 Il took up the owen corrupt prac-
tees act. Senator owen was attacked
bv Senator'S Curtis and Penrose. both
charging he had spent tremendous
sums of money IN Oklahoma.
Cleveland II. Dodge, Of New York,
was mentioned by Senator Penrose as
having contributed $4,000 20 the Will
son campaign fund IN 1912 in order
20 stimulate the uplift
"You Democrats are hypCcritical 10
pushing this bill az this time said
Senator Curtis. IN opening: Why, you
have spent more than 100000 IN one
state already. In an effort 20 elect
two United States Senators. You have
collected all the money you want for
the campaign. and now you want 20
put M the bars.
81 an willing % 20 further than the
Senator from Oklahoma IN writing
real corrupt practices act. would
make IL q crime for a Senator or mem
Der Of the House 20 use House or
Senate or committee stationery IN
pushing mis- campaign, or 20 send out
political letters under the government
frank.
u would make II a crime for such a
letter as this 20 be sent under the
government frank, on Senate commit
tee stationery.
Ashurst Modesty.
Mr.. Curtis sent TO the desk. and the
clerk read. q five PACED single spaced
letter. on Senate Indian Affairs Com
mittee letterheads. Senator Ashurst,
chairman Of that committee, signed
the letter
Democrats and Republicans alike
chuckled during the reading Of the
letter. which informed his constituents
that Mr.. Ashurst was the busiest o.
Senators. served on more committees
and worked harder than his colleagues
ard has obtained much pork for the
state.
81 aonr oeneve another Senator IN
this BODY would send oLt such a lot
ter. a. government expense. and under
the government frank declared Dir 4
Curtis.
"The Senator has sweetbreads for
brains when he makes such a charge
said Senator Ashurst. VINO was nlr-
ricclv summoned 20 the chamber by
bie colleague, Senator Mark Smith. he
said ne had the approval % Postmas-
ter General Bur!eson.
Senator Gallinger interposec 20 read
a letter from the treasurer OF the
Democratic National Committee VII
bur v. Marsh, 20 a postmaster IN Ne"
Hampshire. insisting on an answer 70
a previous letter which had asked the
official 20 send In the names Of from
five 70 seven good Democrats IN ms
town who could work with the ma
ticral committee.
"Ob. not only the Postmaster Gen
ere but every member Of the CABINET
is stretching the law ~ an ehort 20 re-
elect Wilson said Mr. GURUS.
Renewing the attack on the bill, Mr.
Curtis declared he would MAKE u
crime for a contrib utor % a campaign
70 be appointed 20 Office afterward.
The reward Of Abrsm Elkus, who
contributed Sl2.500, and who was ap-
noir-ed Ambassador 20 Turkey IN July,
was e triAe belated, but u finally came
along" commented Senator Penrose.
Strikes at Penrose.
OF would ike 20 insert in the rec
ord. -" said Senator Owen, ms eyes fixed
or Senator Penrose, "a statement from
a. Mitchell Palmer regarding the ex-
penditure OF $4,000 IN the last cam
paign In Pennsylvania"
This vas the tnree-cornered fight o.
1914 IN which Penrose was elected
over Palmer on rne Democratic ticket
and Clifford Pinchot on the Progress
sive