The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-26
Champ Clark as Minority
Leader Spoiled Political
Stock Plans of Republi-
cans.
INCIDENT WAS FIRST
PARTISAN CLASH
Situation was Saved at Least
Delay as to Payment of
Soldiers and Sailor S AL
lotrnents.
BY GEORGE H. MANNING.

washington, May 25.-The demo-
cratic minority clearly outwitted, out
generated and out-voted the republi-
can majority in the house Thursday in
the first real partisan clash at this
session of congress.
During the consideration Of the de-
ficiency appropriation bill carrying
$S9.0OO.0O0 to enable the war risk in
surance bureau to continue payments
to beneficiaries of soldiers, sailors Snd
marines, the democrats, led by former
Speaker Champ Clark. spoiled the
carefully planned effort of the repub-
licans to make important political cap
ital out of the measure, and took all
the credit to themselves.
The incident served well to recall
the promise made by Champ Clark at
the democratic caucus last Saturday
after it had elected him floor leader,
that if the democrats would stay on
the job at the house sessions and at
tend strictly to business they would
wool the republicans"
1t was the first battle of the demo-
Gratis under the leadership of Champ
Clark with the republicans at this ses-
sion, and the adroit manner in which
the former speaker put the republi-
cans in a political hole convinced those
who had wavered in their support of
Clark for floor leader that a fortunate
move was made in snuffing out the in
surgent movement to defeat the Mis-
sourian for the leadership.
A few minutes after meeting at noon
the republicans, now in control of the
house and senate and of course in
charge of legislative program, gave no
tice they were about prepared to pre-
sent an urgent deficiency bill for $39.-
000 900 for the war risk insurance bu
reau and moved for a recess until
o'clock when, they said, its prepara :,
tion would be finished and it would be
ready for consideration.
The democrats. suspecting this was
a spectacular move on the part of the
republicans to draw the country's at
tention to the measure and emphasize
the interested and hurried effort of
the republicans to care for the benefit
ciaries of the soldiers and sailors We're
keenly prepared for political trickery.
If it was merely a play for time by
the republicans to prepare their par
liamentary plans it was wasted ef-
IOEI because lllCy WOAC AOA$EA1J PoN VI
the defensive by Champ Clark.
At o'clock when the recess was
concluded, Chairman Good Of the ap-
committee. presented the
bill Then followed bitter charges by
the republicans that if President Will
son instead of going to Paris and med
ding in European politics had stayed
at home and called congress in extra
session in March or April to pass the
leftover appropriation bills the pay
ment of soldiers and sailors allotments
and allowances to their beneficiaries
would not have been jeopardized and
the other. departments would not now
be in financial peril.
In retaliation the democrats assert
ed that if the senate republicans had
not. in their thirst for opportunity to
debate and attack the League of Ma
tions covenant and President 9ilson't
attendance on the Paris peace confer
euce. fiIibustered against the seven
important appropriation bills the pay
ments of allotments to soldiers and
sailors benefieiaries would not be in
danger and the other departments
would not be in serious need of funds.
After the charge of legislative neg
1ect had been several times hurled,
back and forth from one side of the
house to the other, republican Leader
MondeIl moved to adjourn until next
day.
Quick as flash Champ Clark jump
ed to his feet and objected to adjourn
ment. He asked for division and
when the IA republicans were out-vot-
ed by the II democrats present adj
was defeated.
Clark then asked that unanimous
consent be granted for the immediate
and passage of the bill
to make the benefits available to the
of the fighting men.
Instantly realizing that the demo-
Gratis had scored heavily and that it
would be political suicide to object,
Mondell, with a few nice phrases, stat
ed that If the republicans could be
assured of such welcome assistance
from the democrats in their plans to
expedite business he would not OBJ
ject.
Less than half an hour was required
to pass the bill and the house repub-
Iicans were bested in their first match
ing of wits with the house democrats.