Evening star., 1921-12-09
WATSON BECOMES
BELL|GERENT over
INSULTING Look
Threatens ''for Two Pennies"
to Slap Majors Face at
Senate Hearing.
OFFICERS ARE ORDERED
TO DEPART FROM ROOM
Meeting Nearly Disrupted as
Georgian Refuses to Be BULL
dozed, by "Bull-jawed Brute"

0eOISldn 0ehuSss w
dozed" by "Bull-jawed Brute"
The meeting of the Senate commit
zee investigating charges by Senator
Watson, democrat. Georgia. that SOL
,liers had been Illegally Banged In
France almost broke up In a row To-
,lsy after Senator Watson had threat
ened to slap the face of al Army ofi-
Ger sitting in the audience.
Chairman Brandegee of the COM
mittee, taking hold of an awkward
situation, declared that no person In
the room should be insulted. This
statement was made just after Sena-
ter Watson walked up close to MAI.
George w. Cocheu and, shaking his
1irger in his face, exclaimed. FOR
two pennies would slap your face
"If he looks at me again that way l
will slap his jaws" the Georgia sena-
tor declared. adding that he would
rot remain with the committee to be
"bulldozed" by this "bull-jawed brute"
Take your seat. Senator Watson"
Senator Brandegee demanded.
III retire first" he replied.
Take your seat or retire.. the
chairman said.
OMcers Leave Room.
Chairman Brandegee called for the
sergeant-at-arms. and Senator Wat
son sat down. Then, turning to the
Georgia senator. the chairman asked
if he wanted the Army officers pres
ent, including Walter e. Bethel. Gen.
Pershing's judge advocate general in
France, to retire.
Yes" said Senator Watson.
We'll, get out" said the chairman,
and the officers retired.
senator Watson's verbal attack on
Nal Cocheu, coming wholly %unex-
pectedly. created intense excitement
in the room, and many women edged
toward the door. A flaming streak
of red swept over the ofncer's race
1inued to shake a finger at him and
threaten to slap his face. The oncer
kept his eyes steadily upon the sem
ator as he was ordered mot to look
at Sne that way" and apparently
there was no change whateSeffin MS
In the midst of. the excitement one
of the senator's secretaries touched
him on the arm and attempted 10
Quiet him. And then after Glaring at
the officer the senator turned to the
committee. broad grin on his face.
Col. Bethel. sitting next to the ma
jor, leaned on a table, intently watch
ing the proceedings. The tension was
broken when Chairman Brandegee.
announcing that the officers would be
- ed. shouted at the top of his voice:
Get OUT L
Mai. Cocheu had not been called as
a witness, ana sat silent while Sena-
tor Watson was launching a verbal
attack upon him.
The senator told the committee that
he had been insulted by the manner
in which the officer had looked at
him.
Senator Shields, democrat. Tonnes
see. objected to the attack, stating
that the committee had every desire
10 give Senator Watson a full hear
ing; that it had not prejudiced the
case, and that the senator's statement
TO that effect was absolutely without
AS xhe officers retired Chairman
Brandegee asked Senator Watson II
he wanted the audience driven out :
Apologies to Committee.
NO, indeed" he said. These Off
GERS sat there and eyed me with an
insoIence that reused my southern
blood. beg the pardon OF this COM
1nittee."
Senator Watson said he had a num-
Der of witnesses he wanted Called,
but had no power or money to bring
them to Washington.
1--WE will summons all the witnesses
YOU want" Chairman Brandegee re-
piled.
opening Of the session. but retired
later as Mr.. Brandegee arrived and
took the chair. Soon after there was
an exchange between Mr.. Brandegee
and Mr.. Watson regarding certain
conversations relating to procedure,
and the presence Of Army officers
while the Georgia senator was pre-
septinE his witnesses. The exchange
became very heated and Senator Wat
son shouted. II am not afraid of you"
"Nor I of you," Chairman Brandegee
replied, banging the table.
No Desire to BE Unfair.
The chairman went on to say that
there had been no disposition in the
minds of the committee to be unfair
to Mr.. Watson, and that 1t was not
right for him to impugn the commit
tees motives. ....
you ought to submit your evidence
and let us decide" said the chairman.
."Then the Senate can determine
whether our findings are proper"
It was at this point that Senator
Watson turned suddenly upon MAI.
1Continued on Page 2, Column 3D.