The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-05
Nay NOT HAVE POWER TO ARM SHIPS
JEANNETTE
WELCOMED:
NOT 6 THERE !. !;
House Gives Tremendous
Ovation to Counterfeit
Congresswoman.

washington. March IA hoax
played on members Of the house and
the crowded galleries in the dying
hours Of congress today overshadowed
the singing, cheering and speech maxi
ing that mark the end Of every session.
1t all centered 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 today. but did not arrive,
and Mrs. George w. Edmonds, the wife
|of Representative Edmonds OF Pennsyl-
vania. received the thunderous ova-
ton that awaited her. So well did
Mrs. Edmonds play her role that hun
dreds Of persons who shook hands
with her in an impromptu reception
following announcement from the floor
of the presence OF Miss Rankin, went
away unaware of her real identity.
Miss Rankin Announced.
Representative Britten Of Illinois, by
pre-arrangement with Mrs. Edmonds
perpetrated the hoax Half an hour
after Speaker Clark had adjourned the
session. Britten passed word to Repre-
sentative Gallivan OF Massachusetts
that Miss Rankin was in the chamber
Gallivan sprang to the top Of a table
in front of the speakers stand, an
nounced that the first congresswoman
was present and named Representative
Britten to escort her to the front
Tremendous applause followed as
Mrs. Edmonds. who was in a members
seat. walked down toward the speaker.
Acknowledging the greeting with a
bow. she said in strong. clear tones:
my friends, / preier to make my
first speech IN the next house"
Ftatterins Ovation.
Rowing again, she sat down. The
scene which followed was flatterinE to
Miss Rankin. From every Part Of the
chamber members and their wives and
children--the floor being open to
families by this timc--rnshed over to
greet the "eongresswoman". Without
embarrassment. Mrs. Edmonds began
shaking hnnds, with smiles and thanks.
Soon long line formed in front of
the speakers stand and the galleries
turned their entire attention to the
demonstration. Representative Meek
er of Missouri and his little crowd OF
singers In the middle OF the floor at
tracted little attention until Mrs Ed
monds finally slipped away.
Old attaches OF the house said the
jollification today outdid in fcrvor any
they had ever witnessed in many
years. 1t lasted more than an hour.
Flag unfurisd.
AS Speaker Clark's gavel dropped
promptly at noon, members on the
floor and the press gallery. who previ-
ously had been supplied with books of
old fashioned songs. burst into Co.
lumbia, the Gem of the Ocean," Mrs.
J. Charles Linthicum. wife of Repre-
sentative Linthicum OF Maryland, rose
In the gallery and unfurled huge
silken flag, one end of which was
gathered up by Mrs. Champ Clark
wife of the speaker. A storm Of ap-
plause followed.
In another part of the gallery Miss
Leona Sherwood, 4 daughter of Repre-
sentative Sherwood, sang THE star
Spangled Banner" Mrs. David II.
Kincheloe. wife of Representative
Kincheloe Of Kentucky. whistled
Dixie with the 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 a body of New York
national guardsmen in uniform on the
floor created a patriotic outburst.
In tribute to the late Representative
Conry. who for many years led the