New-York tribune., 1921-02-18
House l. Near
Riot as Texans
Assail. Blanton
Hoots, Catcalls, 'Liar!' Shout
ed as Summers Accuses
Colleague of Charging
Plot to Get Salary Raises
Others Drawn Into Row
Pennsylvania and Kansan
Shout Angry Denials of
Part i'll Alleged Plan

WASHlNGION, Feb. 17.--Hoots. cat
calls and the word "lar" we're shouted
on the floor of the House to-day in the
stormiest session in years. The uproar
began when Representative Summers.
OF Texas, having left a sick bed, ap-
peared' in the House, and, supported by
most members of his own state delega-
tion, launched an attack on his col
league. Representative Blanton.
Rumors had been circulated about
the House for days that the Texans
were preparing to make the attack on
their fellow member, but it WAS held
off until Mr.. Summers was physically
able to direct it. When he stepped for
ward, with a faded newspaper clipping
in his hand, nearly every member vas
on the floor.
Read by the clerk of the House, the
clipping revealed that Mr.. Blanton, in a
letter to Texas newspapers, had
charged members with d concerted plan
to raid the Treasury and obtain salary
increases, which he alone had prevent
ed heretofore
Blanton HOwled Down
There was tense moment in the
Chamber as the reading was conciud-
ed, and Mr.. Summers, stepping close to
where Mr.. Blanton was seated, shook
his fist in the latter's face and dra-
matically shouted:
"And when you sent that statement
to Texas you knew it was as false as
hell!"
The House broke into a wild shout,
half the membership rising. Blanton,
jumping to his feet. and trying to
make himself heard above the din, de-
howled down, the chair sustaining a
point of order that he could not be
heard at that time on a question of
personal privilege.
Mr.. Summers, walking back and
forth, continued the attack. His speech
was constantly interrupted with shout
ing at the conclusion of almost every
sentence of denunciation. Mr.. Sum
Lers declared the record showed that
no effort had been made to slip through
& salary increase bill.
Causes Another Row
Above the tumult Blanton strove
vainly to make himself heard. AS Mr..
Summers turned toward his seat an
other group of members started tow
ard him to offer congratulations. Mr..
Blanton, his voice still pitched high
again attempted to gain a hearing
Again he was howled down.
After the hubbub had kept up for
several minutes, Chairman Siemp' OF
the subcommittee in charge of the
fortifcations bill, which was before the
House, gave the Texas member three
minutes to reply. But nobody could
hear half he said. Right at the start
Mr.. Blanton caused row by charging
that Representative Campbell, Demo.
crat. Pennsylvania, had asked him to
keep away when the salary bin was
called up.
jumped to his feet and shouted an
indignant denial. Apparently "nru1-
fed, Mr.. Blanton turned toward the
Republican side and charged that Rep
resentative Strong, of Kansas, had re
ouested him not to demand roll call
on the measure.
Also angry, Mr.. Strong walked to-
ward Mr.. Blanton and told the House
the statement was false.
In the last minute of his time Mr..
Blanton declared that Mr.. Summers
wanted to run for the Senate from
Texax and that this desire was the
basis of the attack on him.
At this the whole house again rose,
and the echo of the mighty shout the
statement provoked must have reached
the Senate and disturbed its dignity
Old members said later it was the
most remarkable spectacle they had
ever seen. Finally, when some SEM
blance of order was restored, Blanton
declared that he, too, had been men
toned by Texas papers for the Senate
Nothing could be heard after that, for
the uproar got beyond all bounds.