Arizona republican., 1921-02-18
HOOTED
BY CONGRESSMAN
FOR STORY SENT
TO TEXAS PRESS
BLANTONS REPORT CREDITING HIM.
SELF WITH DEFEATING SALARY RAIS-
ING BILL BRINGS WRATH OF COL
LEAGUES IN LOWER HOUSE
[RepubIIcan A. p. Leased wIreI

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1T.-Hoots. cat
calls and the word liar were shouted
in the house today in the stormiest
session in years. The uproar started
When Representative Summers of Tex
as. having left a sickbed, appeared and
supported by most members of his own
state attacked his colleague, Represen-
tatiye Blanton.
Rumors had been circulated that the
Texans were preparing an attack, but
1t was held off until Mr.. Summers could
direct it. When he stepped forward,
holding a faded newspaper clipping.
nearly every member was on the floor
Read by the clerk. the clipping
vealed that Mr.. Blanton, in letter to
Texas newspapers, had charged mem
bers with a plan to raid the treasury
and obtain salary increases, which he
alone had prevented heretofore. The
press was asked to help, and many
papers responded with bitter assaults
on those charged with backing the al
legged salary grab.
There was tense moment as the
reading was concluded and Mr. Sum
ners. stepping close to Mr. Blantons
seat, shook his fist in the latter's face
and shouted:
And when you sent that statements
to Texas you know it was as false az
hell"
BIanton Hooted Down
The house broke into a wild shout,
half the membership rising. Blanton,
jumping up and trying to make him
self heard, demanded the right to
speak. He was howled down. the chair
sustaining a point of order that ha
could not be heard at that time on a
Question of personal privilege.
Mr.. Summers, walking back and
forth, continued, Blanton's eyes follow
Cfa he
constantly interrupted with shouting.
Mr.. Summers declared the record
showed no effort had been made to
|, slip through salary increase bill. and
that Mr.. Blanton's claim that he was
forced to remain constantly on the
. floor to block II was absurd and un-
, true. The question had come up twice,
Mr.. Summers said. and it was blocked
on points of order by Representative
Byrnes, Democrat, Tennessee, and Rep
resentative Wood. Republican, Indiana
Mr.. Blanton, he asserted, was not
even in on the wake.
The demonstration reached remark
| able proportions when a tap of the
gavel marked the close of the time al
| lotted for the speech. Democrats, first
on their feet. were Joined instantly by
every republican, There was a rush to
the front. as members struggled 10
shake Mr. Summers hand.
Above the tumult Blanton stroye
tvainly to make himself heard. As Mr..
Summers turned toward his seat, other
members started toward him to offer
congratulations. Mr.. Blanton, his voice,
still pitched high, again attempted TO
gain a hearing. Again he was howled
down, as a dozen republicans insisted
on enforcement of the rule that he take
: his seat.
s After the hubbub had kept up several
] minutes, Chairman Slemp of the sub
t committee in charge of the fortifica-
, tions bill. which was before the house.
i gave the Texan three minutes to reply,
+ but nobody could hear half he said. At
the start Mr.. Blanton caused a row by
4 charging Representative Campbell.
r democrat, Pennsylvania, had asked him
t to keep away when the salary bill was
called up.
r Another Lie Passes
d Pale with anger. Mr.. Campbell
: jumped up and shouted an indignant
n denial declaring there was not word
of truth in the statement. Apparently
o unruffled, Mr.. Blanton turned toward
y the republican side and charged that
Representative Strong of Kansas had
requested him not to demand a roll
call
: Also angry, Mr. Strong walked tow
" ard Mr.. Blanton and told the house the
t statement was false.
h In the last minute, Mr.. Blanton de-
e clared Mr.. Summers wanted 20 run for
!. the senate from Texas and that this
: desire was the basis of the attack
At this the house again rose with a
n mighty shout Old members said it
was the most remarkable spectacle they
ever had seen. Finally, when some
semblance of order was restored, Blan-
ton declared that he, too, had been
n mentioned by Texas papers for the SEN
ate Then nothing could be heard, for
the uproar got beyond all bounds.
The attack was the elimination OF
many made heretofore by members
Of who charged Mr.. Blanton was continu
r ally blocking legislation by points of
\ order.