The Washington times., 1921-07-24

johnson 10 a kentuckian OF the old
school. jealous of his word Of honor
and prepared to defend 1t. Certain
persons about the Capitol have said
that johnson Is too jealous of his hon.
or; others have just as confidentially
stated that Johnson was a man of fiery
temper. honest at heart. and given to
the oid-fashioned way Of settling dis
putes. N
Several years ago. when Ben John
son was chairman of the House Com
mittee on the District OF Columbia.
this writer saw what promised to be,
and would have been, a terrific en-
counter but for the interference be.
tween Chairman johnson and John X.
Shields, Washington attorney.
Shields had been summoned to tes-
tify In an investigation concerning
taxation and real estate affairs in the
District. During this testimony. he
questioned the veracity of Chairman
Johnson. The Kentuckian was i'm.
mediately at him and before anyone
could intervene several blows had been
exchanged.
Cries For Gun.
While certain members Of the com.
mittee held johnson and others held
Shields, the Kentucky Congressman
struggled TO get into the adjoining
room, his private office, crying all
the while, Give me a gun"
This affair blew over, as such at.
fairs will. UP to yesterdays occur
renee with a brother of the Berg
dolls, IL was probably the most ex.
citing event johnson has helped to
stage at the Capitol or in his commit.
tee room.
Tlu,,no III. .n-,--
man OF the District Committee John.
son was engaged in numerous verbal
alterations with witnesses before the
committee, and with colleagues on the
floor. regarding District affairs.
He has long been an implacable foe
OF what Ii known as the half-and halt
TEN in the District. and of what he
calls tax doding proclivities of certain
OF It's residents. This necessarily
brought him into serious conflict OF
views with District residents and into
fiery debates in the House. More
than once johnson has expressed his
willingness to go outside Of committee
rooms or the House chamber to defend
what he regarded as his honor.
An occurrence not directly related to
District affairs was that which was re-
corded toward the end of the reign of
Joseph G.. Cannon as Speaker of the
House. At the time partisan feeling
was running high, a Democratic fill
buster was on, and the alleged arbi-
trary rulings of"Czar" Cannon had
enraged most Of the Democratic mem.
bers. During the height of the tumult,
one day the irate Mr.. johnson walked
down the aisle and above the din was
heard to observe that were IL not for
the age OF the Speaker. he would be
tempted to throw something at him.
Uncle Joe" waived his age, but moth
ing was hurled. and this interchange
passed into legislative history within
few moments.
1t has never disturbed the personal
friendship between Mr.. Cannon and
Mr.. johnson.
Attacks Correspondent.
In the hectic days johnson acted as
chairman Of the District of Columbia
committee. He had his troubles with
one or more of the newspaper CORE
spondsnta One day he bitterly at
tackled one of them on the floor Of the
House. comparing him with refuse
that might be found in the corner of
the House and should be taken out
into the yard and buried.
While this era of Johnsonian con.
troversy was at its height citizens
associations of the District met and