Evening star., 1924-07-15
ROBINSON 0USTED
BY CLUB FOR FIGHT
Chevy Chase ExpeIs Senator
for Clash on Links With
Or. Mitchell.

Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson of
Arkansas, who was a favorite son
candidate for the Democratic nomi-
nation for the presidency, has been
expelled from the exclusive Chevy
Chase Club. A resolution expelling
the senator for his violation of the
rules of the club and golf course
In striking DR.. James F. Mitchell,
noted surgeon, on the club links June
20, adopted late yesterday at spe-
cial meeting of tie board OF gov
ernors, has been foywArded TO him.
Action by the 'b6ard followed an
inquiry into the action Of the senator
If 1strfkiMg the physician stAstne
twelfth tee, after Dr.. Mitchell who
was playing with Col. CLIFFORD, former
undersecretary of the Treasury, had
passed through the four-ball match
In which Senator Robinson was play
ing. Other members of the four-ba1l
match were Senators Andrieus I.
Jones Of New Mexico, T. J. Walsh
of Montana and John B. Kendrick Of
Wyoming.
Asked Fer Delay.
Written statements detailing the
circumstances OF the alteration in
which DR.. Mitchell was knocked over
a bench by the Arkansas Senator
were submitted to the board by prin-
cipals in the affair and by witnesses.
The board first took up the matter
four days after it happened and post
poned action at the request of Sena-
tor Robinson, who was then in New
York attending the Democratic con-
vention. A request for further post
granted and the matter finally came
up for decision yesterday at the
Metropolitan Club. where the board
Of governors of the Chevy Chase Club
meets.
Sentiment shortly after the affair
is said to have beeh divided as to
suspension; but it was learned that
q sentiment in favor OF expulsion has
been gradually developing, in the
light Of an attempted justification of
his act by Senator Robinson. He was
suspended at the first meeting OF the
board for two weeks, and an addi-
tional suspension of a week was
made on his request for postpone
ment. In the meantime, the Mary
land authorities had inquired into
the affair to find out, according to
Sheriff n. Clay Plummer, whether
the laws Of the state had been
broken.
The incident for which Senator
Robinson was expelled occurred on
the hottest day of the summer.
Started By Lost Balls.
DR.. Mitchell. Col. Clifford and the
latter's SON were playing q threesome
which started behind the senatorial
foursome. and after several delays
caught them at the eleventh green,
where the members of tho senatorial
match had two lost balls. The
Mitchell party. under the rules and
etiquette Of golf. was asked to pass
Senator Kendrick. while Senators
Walsh and Jones were hunting for
lost balls near tho eleventh green.
Tho two matches came together at
the twelfth tee. where DR.. Mitchell
Is said to have remarked he hoped
members Of the foursome had not
been inconvenienced.
As he stood leaning with one hand
on his golf club and the other in his
pocket. according to eyewitnesses,
senator Robinson - declared to have
said, Shut up or ! will hit you"
You wouldn't hit me-" DR..
Mitchell replied. and with that
Senator Robinson struck the surgeon,
Knocking him over = bench and
separated by members of the two
matches. and all proceeded to the
Tho affair and the physical en-
counter were said by, members Of
clubs about Washington to be with
out precedent here. That the club
did not intend to allow the matter to
drop without notice was Immediately
evident DR.. Mitchell vas exonerated
from blame on the basis that no cpl
thet was applied to Senator Robinson
prior to the formsr, being struck