Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-02-19
NEAR-R|0T ST|RS1
HOUSE OF CONGRESS
WHEN LIE IS PASSED.
Uproar Starts After Repre-
sentative of Texas Launch
es Attack on Representa-
tive BIanton

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-Hoots.
catcalls and the word '1iar'' were
shouted on the floor of the house yes
terday in the stormiest session In
years. The uproar started when
Representative Sumner, of Texas.
having left sick bed, appeared In
the house and, supported by most
members Of his own state delegation.
launched an attack on his colleague,
Representative Blanton.
Rumors had been circulating about
the house for days that the Texans
were preparing to make the attack
on their fellow-member, but 1t was
held off until Mr.. Sumner was phys
ically able to direct it. When he
stepped forward with a faded news
paper clipping in his hand. nearly ev-
cry member was on the floor.
Read by the clerk of the house,
the clipping revealed that Mr.. Blan-
ton, in a letter to Texas newspapers
had charged members with a con-
certed plan to raid the treasury and
obtain salary increases, which he
alone had prevented heretofore. The
press was asked to help, and many
papers to which appeal was made re-
sponded with bitter assaults upon
those charged with backing the al
legged grab.
There was a tense moment in the
| chamber as the reading was conclud-
ed and Mr.. Sumner, stepping close
to where Mr.. Blanton was seated.
shook his fist in the latter's face and
dramatically 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.
demanded the right to speak. He was
howled down, the chair sustaining
the point of order that he could not,
be heard at that time on a question
Of personal privilege.
| Mr.. Sumner, walking back and
forth, continued the attack Mr.
Blanton's eyes following every STEP
The speech was constantly interrupts
ed with shouting at the conclusion
| Of almost every sentence of denun--
| citation. Mr.. Sumner declared the
| Record showed that no effort had
been made to slip through a salary
| increase bill and that Mr.. Blanton's
| claim that he was forced to remain
constantly on the floor to block it
was utterly absurd and untrue. The
| question had come UP twice in the
| present congress, Mr. Sumner said,
| and it was knocked out on points of
order, once by Representative Burns.
| Democrat. Tennessee, and once by
| Representative Wood, Republican.
| Indiana. Mr.. Blanton, he asserted.
was not even Gin on the wake"
| The demonstration reached remark
| able proportions when a tap of the
gavel marked the close of the time
allotted for the speech. Democrats.
| first on their feet in a body, were
| Joined at the same instant by every
| Republican. There was a rush to
| the front, as members struggled to
| grasp Mr.. Sumner by the hand.
Above the tumult, Blanton strove
| vainly to make himself heard. AS
| Mr.. Sumner turned toward his seat
| another group Of members started
| toward him to offer congratulations
Mr.. Blanton again attempting to
gain a hearing, his voice still pitched
high. Again he was howled down.
as dozen Republicans insisted on
enforcement of the rule that he take
his seat.