The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-02
Puerto Ricu,,s Sb0wN0
Regret Over Shooting
Bentley's Condition
Still Critical
But Improvement
Is Seen Today
By WILLIAM r. ARBocAsT

WASHINGTON RL-Rep. Alvin
NJ. Bentley (R-Mich) most serious.
ly wounded among five congress-
men shot down by fanatical
gunners in the House chamber,
showed some gains early today. In
jail few blocks away, the leaders
o. the Puerto Rican pistol wielders
insisted they were not sorry for
the unprecedented outbreak in the
Capitol yesterday afternoon.
Lolita Lebron, who claimed the
ringleaders role in Jail interview
summed up 81 do what ! must for
my country"
And Rafael Coneel Miranda de-
clared: 1--WE don't talk about the
little thing"
Both had more to say about
Puerto. Rican independence than
about the wild shooting that dis.
rupted proceedings in the House.
Along with two other Puerto
Rican men-Andres F. Cordeo and
Irving Flores-they were held in
bail of $780, each on charges Of
assault with intent to kill.
They face possible penalties Of
up to Is years each--if all the
wounded survive. The charge
would become murder-punishable
by death in the electric chair-ii
one should die as a result of their
wild outburst.
In addition to Bentley, the
wounded are Reps. Kenneth A.
Roberts (D-Ala) shot in the knee;
Ben. F. Jensen (R-Iowa), wounded
in the left shoulder; Clifford Davis
4D-Tennl, shot in i6s right leg,
and George H. Fallon, (D-Md), hit
ir. the hip.
Roberts also underwent surgery
but it was of exploratory nature
His physician reported that fears
of nerve damage proved to b.
unfounded.
Bentley was struck in the upper
right chest by a bullet which
Travelled through the lung, dia-
phragm, liver and stomach and
came out his left side.
After a ia hour operation yes.
terday the first-term multi-million.
aire representative from Michigan
was given only $3.50 chance for
life.
''He is now in the hands of the
Lord" said the surgeon, DR..
Charles Stanley White, after the
operation.
DR.. Joseph r. Young, chief Of
staff at Casualty Hospital, said the
35-year-old congressman, while still
in critical condition, had shown i'm.
provement, was cheerful and able
to talk coherently.
A 7:45 a. m. report said Bentley
had fairly restful'' night; that
temperature, pulse and respiration
were at "a satisfactory level-al
though the pulse rate is higher
than desirable"
A scene of confusion without pre-
cedent in the House of Represen
tatives occurred when the Puerto
Rican fanatics suddenly producet
heavy pistols and began shooting
wildly from the visitors gallery
during yesterdays routine session
Congressman dived under desk!
or sped to the aid of fallen col
leagues. Many of them thought the
sharp reports were those of prank
ster's firecrackers-until splinter.
began flying from desks and plas
ter from walls and ceiling.
One member, Rep. Van Zand
(R-Pa), sped upstairs in time Il
help disarm one of the gunner.
In the gallery number of spec
tators also helped overpower tire,
of the assailants as their weapon
were emptied and they trie'
frantically to reload and resum,
their barrage.
Mrs. Lebron insisted at polio
headquarters that members of tn
group regard themselves as pa
triots-not criminals.
The dark-haired woman said tn
Continued on Page Seven)