New-York tribune., 1922-09-17
Dempsey Gets
W allop ON Jaw
From Democrat
New Yorker and Oliver,
of Alabama, Fight ON
Floor of House After
Bitter V erb al Clash
200 i'm 'Ringside' Seats
East River Project Caused
Ii All, but p e ac e Is
Made After Session

From The Tribunes Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, w Sept. 16.-Represent-
ative Stephen Wallace Dempsey, Re-
publican, of Lockport, N. Y, got stiff
left to the jaw from a fellow member,
Representative William B. Oliver, Dem
ocrat, of Alabama, in exchange for a
few Objectionable words, in an en-
counter this AFTERNOON that threw the
House into an uproar during consid-
Grafton of the Rivers and Harbors con-
ference report.
The two members had engaged In
series Of bitter verbal clashes over
amendments to the bill providing for
the deepening of the East River. Mr..
Sempsey, as chairman of the House
Rivers and Harbors Committee, asked
the House to disagree to Senate
amendment and insist upon a provision
for deepening the East River channel
to forty feet for the entire distance
up to Throg's Neck. This would have
called for an appropriation OF $71,-
100000. Representative Oliver de-
manded that the House agree to the
Senate amendment which would deepen
the channel to forty feet to the Navy
Yard and to only thirty-fve feet from
the Navy Yard to Throg's Neck, at a
cost of $3S,0o0,oo0.
Dempsey Controlled Time
Representative Dempsey brought on
the fisctics through anger at Mr.. Oil
ver's demand for time in which to argue
his side AS the committee chairman
Mr.. Dempsey controlled the time. At
Representative divers reuest he
walked over to that members seat on
the Democratic side.
five minutes" Representative Oliver
alleges Mr.. Dempsey said.
The palm of divers left hand landed
squarely on Dempseys cheek, with
about 200 members in E'ringside" seats.
A number of them and Sergeant-at-
Arms Joseph Rogers and Bert Ken
nedy, the doorkeeper of the House,
rushed between the two men. Repre-
sentative William 3. Bowling, of Ala
bama, hurdled over row of seats in
gttting to his colleague.
Democratic Floor Leader Finis J.
Garrett held Representative Oliver and
MIR. Dempsey walked back to the Re-
publican side his cheek burning with
large red spot.
In repeating, later, Mr.. Dempsey's
words which caused the blow, Mr.
Oliver said:
81 resented that as any gentleman
owuld, and slaped his face with the
open palm of my left hand" He also
said that Representative Dempsey in
sinuated that he should not be inter
ested in the New York project.
When order had been restored Mr..
Oliver went to the chair and apologized
to Speaker Gillette for violating the
rules Of the House, but explained that
he felt he was justified.
Offered to Yield Five Minutes
representative Dempsey subsequent
ly announced:
81 will yield five minutes 10 the gen
tlenian on the other side"
II hope the gentleman will yield me
ten minutes" said Mr.. Oliver.
SIN view of what has transpired and
in view Of the fact that l went over
there simply to try to agree with the
gentleman as to time''--said Mr..
Dempsey.
II do not think this is to be the
proper time and place for that, but if
it is desired / will make a public
statement about it," returned Mr..
Oliver.
II only spoke to the gentleman IN
the most kindly spirit" explained Mr..
Dempsey.
II appreciate the gentleman's state
ment now" observed Mr.. Oliver, "and
had he approached me in that same
spirit and manner nothing would have
occurred that would have caused the
slightest Misunderstanding"
Mr.. Oliver then took the floor, and
for five minutes argued for his
preferential motion, which was adopted
by a vote Of II to 63.
Friends of the two principals sue.
ceeded in bringing them together fol.
lowing the adjournment. They shool
hands and agreed to forget the Incl
dent.
Cox Gives Germans $685.