Arizona republican., 1917-03-05
WOMAN MEMBER
 GREETED BUT II
 TURNS 0UT H0AX
Republican A. p. Leased Wlrel

lncPdbhSdH fHs IT, GcdSCu "HcI
 WASHINGTON, March, "A hoax played on members of the house and the crowded galleries in the dying honrs of congress today overshadowed the singing, cheering and speechmaking that mark the end of every session. It all centered aDout the 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 today But did not arrive and Mrs. George w. EdmonGs. the wife of Representative Edmonds of Pennaylva- mia, received the thundeious ovation that awaited Miss Rankin. So well did Mrs Edmonds play her 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 Ran kin, went away unaware of her real identity.
 Representative Britten of Illinois, by pre- Arrangement with Mrs. Edmonds. perpetrated the hoax Half an hour aft CT Speaker Clark had adjourned the i session and the voices of members and l visitors had begun to show signs of l throatiness owing to the fervor with i which thev had sung the high notes of i Dixie and the low notes of "The Old l Oaken Bucket Eritten passed word to i Representative Gallivan. Gallivan sprang to the top of a table in front of i the speakers stand. announced that 1 the first congress woman was present and named Representative Britten to escort her to the front.
 Tremendous applause followed as Mrs. Edmonds, who was in a members seat, Nlked down toward the speaker 1 Ank Ia a bow. she said in strong. clear tones:
 My friends, l prefer to make my ] first speech in the next house. I The scene which followed was flat tering to Miss Rankin. From every part of the chamber members and their wives and chldren-the floor being open To families by this time-rushed over to greet the "congresswoman." ! Without the slightest sign of embar- rassment. Mrs. Edmonds began shak- ! ing hands with smiles and thanks. Soon long line formed in front of the i speakers stand and the galleries turned ! their entire attention to the demonstra - tion.
 old attaches of the house said. the jollifcation today outdid in fervor any they had witnessed in many years. IL lasted more than an hour.
 Speaker Clark dropped his gavel ] promptly at noon. members of the floor ! and the press gallery wlo previously had been supplied with books of old l fashioned songs. burst into Columbia, the Gem Of the ocean" Mrs. J. ] Charles Linthicum. wife of Represents - tive Linthicum of Maryland, rose in the gallery and unfurled q huge silker { ilag. one end of which was gathered up by Mrs. Champ Clark, wife or the speaker. A storm of applause followed
 In another part of the gallery. Miss ! Leona Sherwood. a daughter of Repre- sentative Sher'v~ d. sang The star Spangled Banner" A Representative kincheloe of Kentucky,
 whistled Dixie" with help from the crowd.
 The arrival of a body Of New York national guardsmen in uniform on the flcor, created patriotic outburst.
 In tribute to the late Representative tonry. who for many years led the singing on the floor Representative Gallivan sang The Vacant Chair
 In the farewell speeches preceding the final adjournment. Democratic Leader kitchin and others declared the
 house had done it's work this sessior and blamed the senate for any cmbar.
 rassment which the government ma, suffer through work not done. Amid wild applause. Speaker Clarl
 called Representative Cannon, his re. , publican predecessor, to the rostrun
 and asked him to preside
 Speaker Clark mace a speech sayin,
 this congress was the best behaved on.
 he had ever seen and that the acut.
 paTtisanship that was evident when h,
 first came to congress twenty foul
 years ago had been almost abolishe,
 in the house