Evening star., 1918-06-23
He Refers to Pomerene Bill
as "Rotten" in Letter Ad-
/ dressed to Conferees.
PROPER RENT MEASURE
is ISSUE, He INSISTS
Willing to Be Handled Without
Gloves-"Skins Should Be
[ Thicker or. Bill Better"

Chairman johnson Of the House
District committee paid his respects on
the floor Of the House yesterday to
the Senate conferees on the Pomerene-
Johnson anti-profteering rent bill.
Drastic action is expected to be asked
in the Senate tomorrow.
Chairman Johnson addressed the
House by unanimous consent as an
aftermath of the suggestion to ex-
clude him from the privileges of the
Senate floor in retaliation for his
criticism of the Senate members on
the floor of the House when the con-
ference on the anti-profiteering rent
bill was asked.
last night that letter which he had
addressed to the Senate conferees
and which he read on the floor was
the most daring attack on senatorial
courtesy they ever had heard. The
Senate is not expected to let it pass
unrebuked.
Letter to Senate Conferees.
The letter read by Representative
johnson. addressed to the Senate
conferees, Senators Pomerene of Ohio.
ham Of Vermont, Smith of Maryland
and Jones of Washington, was as fol-
lows:
ITO the Senate Conference on H. r.
924S-the anti-profteering rent bill:
Gentlemen: Tne Washington news
papers Of yesterday contained the
statement that at least some Of the
~ tAa At
ing rent bill contemplated having
me denied the privileges OF the Sem
ate floor because of the criticism
made by me Of the Senate amend
ment which has come to be known
as the Pomerene BILL
that; run along and get through with
1t. and then permit the Senate to vote
on . measure that will prevent the
proflteers from driving nearly q thou
sand war workers out Of Washing.
ton every week. I am not interested
deny me the privileges of the Senate
chamber; but am deeply concerned
for the war worker who 10 being
robbed and then sent out Of WASH
ington, and because of which our
boys in France must suffer.
The newspaper articles referred to
state also that at least soIne OF the
Senate conferees may decline to 60
Into conference because am one OF
the House conferees. May not su6-
gest that by such . course, either
Intentionally or unintentionally, you
play right into gths hands Of ths
Z good bill is what they, ssek7
skins should Ss thicker 81 5onr Siil
better. not only fnvite the ssverest
criticism Of all my official acts, but
- - q ha
acid test applied to my endeayors in
this particular matter, and you will
not only not offend me, but will do
me favor by wading into both me
and 1t without gloves, since I, and not
the landlords, am its author.
"This 10 not . time for senatorial
dignity but one for action. Rearing
back on your 'pastern Joints doesn't
set the oppressed tenants anything.
do not intend to permit your attitude
your rotten bill, to in the least deter
me in my enorts to prevent the
country's needs.
s'Your amendment--the Pomerens
bill-had to be criticised. senatorial
MY contempt for such Of you as
may resort to pretext to evade full
responsibility for not giving our war
Bile proflteers Is just as great as yours
may be for me; but. as ! said. that
shall not stop me from following my
plain duty in the premises.
Let US get to work on the bill, ana
then you can have your revenge on
me to your hearts content. You have
my full consent to deny me the privi-
1egAs Of the Senate chamber. Or even
to take yeur spite out Of my hide IL
ysu win only 20 aAsad and let the
6Snate vote . eoed bill instead Of 4
DQbtAffugs.
while I Am sending this letter to
eoee q the eonfersss, It 10 really In.
fe1Aed for those only who are re-.
gponsible for the article in yester-
day Afternoons local newspapers.
VERY truly yours,
l.. BEN JOHNSON"