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Show LAST LEGISLATIVE FIGHT 251 were scheduled to conclude their presentation. Mur- dock's chair was empty as the committee members assembled. Suddenly the committee clerk, Claude E. Ragan, stepped forward and announced: 353 "Mr. Murdock just phoned and asked me to advise the committee that there would be no meeting today. The committee will meet next Wednsday, April 18, at ten o'clock." There was a moment of silence. Then Engle, the ranking Democrat, said: 353 "Under the rules of the House, when the meeting is set, if the chairman does not show up the ranking Democrat conducts the meet- ing. I am not sure I want to do it. I don't like this kind of procedure." Rep. Miller inquired if Murdock had given a reason for cancelling the meeting, and the clerk told him: "No, sir; those are my instructions." "I am not going to be called up to these meetings like this, with hearings all set and have this kind of proceed- ing without a protest," said Rep. Crawford, ranking Republican. Rep. D'Ewart thought the record should show "that all the members were called not over fifteen minutes ago, and asked to be present." "I think the ranking members should call the meeting to order," Poulson said. Rep. Harrison suggested that the record show who was present, and this suggestion was adopted.354 Eighteen members answered the roll call. A quorum being present, Engle called the meeting to order and announced he would entertain a motion to adjourn until April 18. The motion was made and adopted. |