Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-28
Sensational Incident in a Committee
Room.
IDAHO INQUIRY Was IN PROGRESS
Mr.. Lentz Resents the Statement
of an Attorney.
GOV, STEUNENBERG RESUM MES

timony in the Couer d'Alene investigation
began today Representative Lentz con-
tnued the cross-questionng.
The governor said he had been in the
Occur d'Alene region during two days in
February, before coming here. There were
three state deputies on duty at that time,
and DR.. France, who has been in the ser
vice of the state continuously throughout
the trouble. On one Of his previous visits
he talked with Stimson, of the impris-
cned men. He had been told by DR.. France
that there was evidence connecting Stimson
with the conspiracy: that on April 10, prior
to the blowing up of the mill, Stimson had
told a certain individual to get out of
Wardner, as there was going to be trouble.
The governor detailed a number of visits
to San Francisco Spokane and elsewhere,
during which he said he met officials of the
various mines. AT meeting at Spokane he
told the mine owners there would be no
modification of the permit system. The
mine owners We're opposed to this permit
system, and wanted to employ any men
they chose. But the governor said he in
formed them that the state of Idaho would
not permit the employment of criminals.
He had made no statement as to how long
the permit system would continue, but he
said he intended to enforce it as long as it
seemed necessary to insure order.
Mr.. Lentz asked If this meant that the
governor would do he pleased on the
subject, to which the witness replied that
he would do as his judgment dictated. If
the permit system had resulted in u loss to
the miners of half a million dollars, as Mr..
Lentz stated, the governor said he did not
care for that as it was a necessary re-
course by the state.
Like Louis XIV you are the state" re-
marked Mr.. LentZ.
MIR. Lentz's allusion to Louis XIV caused
q prolonged discussion.
A sensational episode occurred at this
int ,yo+i
some of the state deputies were living with
disreputable women.
Attorney Cheney Defends Deputies.
Mr.. Chesney, the attorney appearing in
behalf of the state of Idaho intcrposed n
protest and said: Il hurl back at you that
statement. The deputies are reputable
men,
Mr.. Lentz Indignantly resented the inter-
ference of private counsel. and addressing
the attorney, said: You ought to be kicked
| out Of the window, and You would be if
| you had not the majority of this committee
| behind you
When Mr.. Lentz attempted to read from
previous testimony concerning the improp-
e.' conduct Of deputies, Chairman Hull over
ruled this course.
dressing Mr.. Hull, lie exclaimed: Il want
| to say in your teeth that if you are a
| party to protecting this attorney In lie
you are a party to it."
| Amid much confusion Chairman Hull de-
| clsrcd that Mr.. LentZ had insulted the com
| mittee and its members a9 far as he could,
| and it would have to stop.
| Representative Hay Of Virginia arose to
| say that the attorney had better not give
| the lie TO him, and Representative Cox OF
| Tennessee added: If any man insults me
| I'll hit him
| Mr.. Lentz asked the chairman why he
! III ,an ba IN
| He was out of order, entirely out OF or.
| DER ruled Mr.. Huh, emphatically.
| Mr.. Cox said that when the attorney ac'
| cused a member of the committee of false
hood he forfeited his right to appear.
| III he says that to me, added Mr.. Cox
either he or go out of the window"
| Representative Jett of Illinois said thai
| as q means Of protecting the committee HI
| you'd move that the attorney be expelled
| from the committee room.
| Many members were on their feet trying
to secure recognition, when Mr.. Jett mad,
| his motion.
No Intention to he Offensive. :.
| Before taking action the committee CAV,
Mr.. Cheney an opportunity to be heard HI
explained that he did not intend to say tina
Mr.. Lentz had told falsehood, but simpl.
to deny the statement that the Idaho dep
uties lived with disreputable women. II
| apologtzed for any mlsapprehension.
Mr.. Cox remarked that man must eithe
light apologize in such case and tn
| apology settled it.
] Mr.. Jett Withdrew his motion for expul
sion, and the outbreak was brought to
| close.
Gov. Steunenberg then proceeded with hi
| testimony. He said he had recently re
ceived a petition addressed to the Secretar
of War concerning the retention of tn
| United States troops in the Occur d'Alene
He disclaimed any knowledge of men bein
discharged for refusing to sign the petition
or Of state deputies circulating the petition
| The committee then adjourned until to
morrow, when Gov. Steunenberg will con
| tinue his evidence.
Feeling After Adjournment.
While the members were separating afte
adjournment Chairman Hull said to Nj
Lentz that the latter's personal attacks O
him had gone as far they could and
| they were renewed 1.-The room will not b
big enough to hold us both"
Mr.. Lentz replied that he would take car
of himself.
The intense feeling aroused was manfes
lcng after the proceedings closed.
MUZZLINC OF DOGS.
! Resolution of Inquiry Ad0pted by tn