Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-05
lmpersonated First
 CongressWoman
HOAX PLAYED ON MEMBERS OF
 THE HOUSE
HAD BEEN PREARRANGED
Wife of Representative Edmonds Civ en Enthusiastic Reception Under the Belief That She Was Miss Jeann- nette Rankin of Montana.

Washington, March IA hoax play ed on members of the house and the crowded galleries in the dying hours of congress today overshadowed the singing, cheering and speech making that mark the end of every session.
 It all centered about interest that Miss Jeanette Rankin, of Montana, the first woman ever elected to the Unit ed States congress, who will take her seat in tn next house. She was ex- pected to be here today, but did not the wife of Representative Edmonds of Pennsylvania, received the thunderous ovation that waited her. So well did Mrs. Edmonds play the role that hun dreds 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 identity.
 Hoax Was Prearranged.
 Representative Britten of Illinois, by pre-arrangement with Mrs. Edmonds, perpretrated the hoax. Half an hour after Speaker Clark had adjourned the session and the voices of members and visitors had began to show signs of throatiness, owing to the fervor in 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 Massa- chusetts that Miss Rankin was in the chamber. Gallivan sprang to the top of a table in front of the Speakers gresswoman was present and named Representative Britten to escort her to the front.
 Tremendous Applause.
 Tremendous applause followed as Mrs. Edmonds, who was in a mem bers seat, walked down towards the Speaker. Acknowledging the greeting hnx he in Gfr tones:
 My friends. I prefer to make my first speech in the next house. Played Part Well.
 Rowing again, she sat down. The scene which followed was dattering te Miss Rankin From every part of the chamber, members and their wives and lilies by this time-rushed over to greet the "congresswoman." 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 attention to the demon sraion. Representative Meeker of Missouri and his little band of singers in the middle of the floor attracted lit tie attention until Mrs. Edmonds slip ped away.
 Had Jolly Day.
 Old attaches of the house said the publication today outdid any they had witnessed in many years. It lasted more than an hour.
 As Speaker Clark's gavel dropped promptly at noon, members on the floor and the press galleries who previously had been supplied with book of old fashioned sangs, burst into "Colum- bia, the Gem of the Ocean" Mrs. J. Charles Linthicum, wife of Represent ative Linthicum of Maryland, rose in the gallery and unfurled a huge silken flag, one end of which was gathered | up by Mrs. Champ Clark, wife of the ! Speaker. A storm of applause follow 1 sd. |
 In another part of the gallery, Mrs. l Leona Sherwood, a daughter of Rep | Sherwood sang "The Star | Spangled Banner" MrsDavid Kinche- | oe, wife of Representative Kincheloe | of Kentucky, whistled Dixie with | leIp from the crowd. How Dry I am," sung particularly feeling by vets who | were so overwhelmingly defeated in the | ast congress, followed.
 Patriotic Outburst.
 The timely arrival of body of l New York National guardsmen in uni orm on the floor created a patriotic |