The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-08
TEXAN HIT,
ESCAPES
SERIOUS
HURTS
Books Also Used as Weapons
by lrate OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
at Hydro Hearing

A physical encounter. in which
chairs and books were used as
weapons, shortly before noon to-
day broke up a meeting Of a
special subcommittee of the
House District Committee, ap-
pointed to consider installation
Of a hydro-electric plant at Great
Falls.
+ The belligerents were Con-
gressmen William C. Hammer of
North Carolina and Thomas L.
Blanton Of Texas, both Demo-
Gratis. As a result of the clash,
the meeting of the committee
was postponed until tomorrow
morning. 5
Neither Of the participants
was injured and only one actual
blow was stuck. Hammer hit
Blanton across the shoulder with
one Of the folding chairs sup
piled for witnesses and specta-
tors.
Brought On By BIanton.
For several minutes the two men
struggled back and forth across the
committee room, shouting defiance
and attempting to break away from
bystanders and members Of the
committee who tried to restrain
them.
The difficulty arose when Blan.
ton objected to the holding Of the
meeting on the ground that he had
not been notified, and that he had
several important engagements.
Hammer accused Blanton of "wil.
fully misunderstanding an an.
nouncement of the meeting" and
declared that his opposition was
made as a dilatory move to prevent
consideration Of the bill.
you're q garrulOuS old grand.
mother" BlantOn shouted.
That's absolutely untrue and
you haven't the courtesy Of q dog
for saying it," Hammer shouted
back.
Liar" Shouts BlantOn.
you're a damned liar" Blanton
yelled, and Hammer lunged forward
with his fist.
Congressman Frederick N. ZihI.
man., Of Maryland, chairman of the
committee, and other bystanders,
including william F. Ham, presi.
dent of the Washington Railway
and Electric and Potomac Electric
Power Companies, jumped between
the Infatuated members and at.
tempted to placate them.
Let go Of me-" Blanton shouted,
II have been tnsulted and am not
going to let any man get away
with It,"
you're . coward, and when you
say that you are merely bluffing,"
Hammer shouted.
Blant0n made q Iunge at the
North Carolina CONGRESSMAN. Ham.
nler seized a chair, and, swinging il
above his head, charged down the
length Of the room, dragging behind
him those who attempted to stop
him. He swung thee chair down
over the head OF Mr.. Ham and
struck BIanton on the shoulder. 1t
was q glancing blow and did no
harm.
Suppressed By Bystanders.
Bystanders succeeded in restoring
order and Congress Zihln1an called
the committee to order.
Blanton Immediately moved that
the committe recess until tomorrow
morning. Hammer again objected on
the ground that this was a dilatory
motion and was designed merely to
prevent consideration Of the bill. He
moved that the committee meet
again tonight.
Blanton stated that this would be
agreeable. He insisted that the
meeting be held at q time when he
would be at liberty to be present.
He declared that he intended to
cross'examine every witness who
took the stand during the hearing.
Hammer then voiced strenuous
opposition TO the policy of any
member taking charge Of the Wit.
nesses."
"I claim that Is my privilege. {"
Blanton replied hotly. land am
always ready to fight for my
rights"
Il don't think you need TO tell
anybody that" Hammer replied.
But when you talk about figlseing,
lt's merely hluff.YOu are q coward.
You have been beaten Ille q dog
and I win beat you again"
A. -