Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05
HOAX PLAYED BY WOMAN
ON MEMBERS OF HOUSE
Wife of Representative Edmonds Re-
ceiveS Ovation Intended for
Miss Jeanette Rankin.
USUAL FINAL SCENES ENACTED
Democratic Leader Kitchln and
Others Blame Senate for ANY En-
barraSSment Which Government
May Suffer by Unfinished Work.
IRv Associated pressl

tBy Associated Press.l
WASHINGTON, March "A hoax,
played OH members of Congress to-day,
overshadowed the singing, cheering
and speechmaking that mark the end
of every session.
1t conferred about interest in Miss
Jeanette Rankin. Of Montana. the first
woman ever elected to the United
States Congress. who will take her
scat in the next House. She was ex-
prcted to lac here to-day, but did not
arrive. and Mrs. George w. Edmonds
wife Of Representative Edmonds, OF
Pennsylvania. received the thunderous
ovation that awaited her.
So well did Mrs. Edmonds play her
role that hundreds of persons who
shook hands with her In an impromptu
reception following an announcement
from the floor OF the presence OF Miss
Rankin. went away unaware OF her
real identity.
To-day's demonstrations lasted more
than an hour. AS Speaker Clark's ga
vel dropped promptly at noon, mem
bcrs Of the floor and press gallery.
vino previously had been supplied with
books Of old-fashioned songs. burst
into Columbia. the Gem Of the Ocean"
Mrs. J. Charles Linthicum. wife Of
Representative Linthicum. OF Mary
land. rose in the gallery and unfuricd
a huge sillsen flag. ono end or which
was gathered up by Mrs. Champ Clark.
Wife Of the Speaker \ storm OF APP
plausc followed
PATRIOTIC SONGS
RENDERED. IN HOUSE
In another part Of tho gallery, Miss
Lcona Sherwood. a daughter OF Rep
rcscntatirc Sherwood. sang THE star
SpangleG Banner
Mrs. David II. Kinchcioc. wife or
Representative kiuchcloc. or Ken
lucky. whistlcd Dixie" with help from
the crowd. How Dry | AM sung
with particular feeling b. ..wc,s," who
were 50 overwhelmingly defeated in
the last Congress. followed.
In tribute to the late Rcprescn-
tativc Conry. who for many years led
the singing on the floor. Representa-
tive C;allivan sang The Vacant Chair"
In the farewell speeches preceding
final adjournment, Democratic Leader
kitchin and others declared the House
had done its work this session, and
blamed tho Senate for any cmburrass
mcnt which the government may suffer
through work not done.
The House. Democrats and Rcpub-
licans alike said Mr. I<itchn, has
met every responsibility and perform
ed every duty imposed upon IL by tho
Constitution. and by the country. II
tho President should find this country
III the midst Of "a sudden emergency
and look about him FOR authority and
means TO protect the rights Of .>mcri-
can ships and American citizens from
unlawful attacks upon tho seas and
find il not, the fault will lie, not with
this body, but with another body.
believe. Mr.. Speaker. that the country
ought TO know this truth
CLARK CALLS CANNON
TO Preside OVER nODY
Speaker Clark called Representative
Cannon, his Republican predecessor. to
the rostrum and asked him to preside
Banging the Cavcl while tho members
laughed and appaudcd. Mr.. Cannon
said il always WAS in order for the
Speaker of tho House 10 say word
and he talked about the United states
as government OF tho people. and tho
virility Of their Amcrcanship. Amid
applause and catcalls. he put through a
resolution thanking Speaker Clark for
his services.
Speaker Clark made a speech saying
this Congress Was the hcst-behavcd
ono he had ever seem. and that the
acute partisanship that was evident
when he first came TO Congress, TWEEN
ty-four years ago. had been almost
abolished in the House.