Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-08
INTRODUCTION Of
MISS RANK|N"
Hoax Played in House during
Hilarious Scenes in Final
Hours of Congress.

Washington. March A hoax play.
ed on members of the House and the
crowded galleries in the dying hours
or Congress to-day overshadowed the
singing, cheering and speechmaking
that mark the end of every session.
1t all conferred about interest in Miss
jeanette Rankin, of Montana, the first
woman ever elected to the United States
Congress. who will take her seat in the
next House. She was expected to be
here to-day. but did not arrive and
Mrs. George w. Edmonds, the wife Of
Representative Edmonds of Pennsyl-
vania. received the thunderous ovation
that awaited her. So we'll did Mrs.
Edmonds play her role that hundreds
of persons who shook hands with her
in an impromptu reception which she
held following announcement from the
floor of the presence of Miss Rankin,
went away unaware of her real iden-
tity.
Representative Britten Of Illinois,
by pre-arrangcment with Mrs. Ed
monds perpetrated the hoax. Half an
hour after Speaker Clark had adj
iourned the session and the voices of
members and visitors had begun TO
show signs of throatiness owing to
the fervor with which they had sung
the high notes of Dixie" and the low
notes of THE Old Oaken Bucket"
Britten passed word to Representative
Gallivan of Massachusetts that Miss
Rankin was in the chamber. Call
van sprang to the top of a table in
front of the speakers stand. announced
that the first congresswoman was
present and named Representative
Britten to escort her to the front.
Tremendous applause as Mrs. Ed
monds, who was in a members seat,
walked down towards the speaker.
Acknowledging the greeting with a
bow. she said in strong. clear tones
MY friends, I prefer to make my
first speech in the next House."
Bowing again. she sat down. The scene
which followed was fattering to Miss
Rankin. From every part of the chamber
members and their wives and children
the floor being open TO families by this
time-rushed over to greet the congress
woman" Without the slightest sign of
embarrassment Mrs. Edmonds began
shaking hands with smiles and thanks.
Soon a long line formed in front of the
speakers stand and the galleries turned
their entire attention to the demonstra-
ton. Representative Meeker of Missouri,
and his little crowd of singers in the mid
die of the floor. attracted little attention
until Mrs. Edmonds finally slipped away.
Old attaches Of the House said the
jolliticatiOn to-day outdid in fervor any
they had witnessed in many years. 1t
lasted more than an hour.
AS Speaker Clark's gavel dropped
promptly at noon members of the floor
and the press gallery burst into Col
lumbia, the Gem of the Ocean," Mrs
j. Charles Lnthicum, wife of Repre-
sentative Linthicum of Maryland. rose
in the gallery and unfurled a huge sill
ken flag. one end of which was gath
cred up by Mrs. Champ Clark wife of
the speaker. a storm of applause fol-
lowed In another part of the gallery
Miss Leona Sherwood. a daughter of
Representative Sherwood, sang "The
Star Spangled Banner" Mrs. David II.
Kincheloe. wife of Representative
Kincheloe of Kentucky whistled
Dixie" with help from the crowd
How Dry / Am" sung with particular
feeling by 'wets" who were so over
whelmingly defeated in the last Con-
gress followed.
The arrival of body of New York
national guardsmen in uniform on the
floor created patriotic outburst.
In tribute to the late Representative
Conry, who for many years led the
singing on the floor, Representative
Gallivan sang The Vacant Chair"
In the farewell speeches preceding
the final adjournment Speaker Clark,
Democratic Leader Kitchin. Former
Speaker Cannon, Republican Leader
Mann and others declared that the
House had done it's work this session
and blamed the Senate for any en-
barrassment which the government
may suffer through work not done.