Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-16
TRLEPHoNE soANDALs.
Mr. Hanback,, OF Kansas, Proposes q
Committee of Inquiry.

Mr. Hanback,, of Kansas, Proposes q
Committee of Inquiry.
WASHINGTON, Feb. l5.-In the House
to-day Mr.. Hanback,, OF Kansas. intro
duced the following preamble and resoIu.
tion;
WHEREAS, Grave charges have been made
and are constantly being made, by leading
papers Of the country rejecting on the in
tegrlIy and official action Of certain officers
Of the government OF the United States,
ResoLged. That special mlttee, consist
ing Of eleven members OF this House, be APP
pointed, and when so appointed said com NIT
tee is hereby directed, at as early day as
possible, to IA AXE inquiry into any e8pendi-
ture on the part OF the government Incurred
relative 20 the rights Of the Bell and Pan
Electric Telephone Companies to priority Of
patents, said inquiry to include ali organiza-
the Pan Electric Telephone Company, or for
any other purpose; and also 10 mako full in
quiry lnto the issuance OF the stock knOwn ~
Panl Eeetric Telephone stock or any stOcksof
any other company, companies or organiza-
tlon springing out OF the Pan Electric Tee-
phone Company TO any person or persons con-
neetea with either tne leglsiative or executive
or judicial departments OF the government Of
the United States, 10 whom, when, where
and IN what amount and for what
consideration IN money or influence
said stock was delivered; also as to what
opinions, decisions and orders have been
made by any oficers connected with the
government, aad by whom, and all the
circumstances connected Herewith and
arising therefrom and alec what suit or suits,
II any, hayebee brought in the name OF the
United states 10 test the validity of patents
issued or any other right ia controversy be-
tween the Bell and Pan Electric Telephone
Companies. what contracts have been made,
what moneys paid or to be paid 10 any person
or persons as assistant counsel 10 the At
torney General or Solicitor General or the
United states; the reason or authority for
constituting the United states party TO said
suit or suits, and TO the end that the people OF
the United States may be fully advised ami
the committee be granted the right 10 send for
persons and papers, to sit during aesalOns Of
the HOuse TO employ stenographer and 10
incur any reasonable expenditures that may
BE- deemed necessary for the purpose Of such
investigation.
1t was referred to the Committee on
Rules.
Mr.. PULITzER's QUERY.
Mr.. Pulitzer, of New York, offered the
following resolution, which was similarly
referred:
Resolred, That the resolution creating the
select com itteo proposed in the resolution
submitted By Mr. Hanback,, OF Kansas, 10 70
amended ~ 70 authorize said committee 10
inquire whether any Of the telephone COM
panios have in any way Influenced or at
tempted 20 influence 0ficIals or official action
or improper motives; and also whether any
corporations or their managers or representa-
tiyes have contributed large sums Of money
for political campaign purposes, upon agree
uent that certain person acceptable TO them
should be appointed Judge of one OF the
courts Of the United States which may have
to decide litigation concerning the telephone
nnfaute.