The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-05
Wants to Know Who Has Been Guilty of Misusing
 His Frank
MOVES COMMISSION
 ID CLOSE INCIDENT
Dinwiddie Is Exonerated From Blame, But Harrison Is Accused of Pro- ducing the Packages
 TOT Effect.

Washington, March 4.-Thc sequel to the charges of the misuse of the franking privileges of members of congress by advocates of the Dolliver-Hepburn orig inal package bill, made yesterday, came just as today's hearings closed. The Rev. E. c. Dinwiddie. who had been charged with the misuse of Representative Clay tons frank by Duncan P. Harrison, repre- senting the United States Brewers asso- citation, obtained permission to explain the matter to the committee.
 MT. Clayton interrupted MT. Dinwiddie, saying, What I want to know" address ing MT. Dinwiddie, Ifs whether my frank has been used in a manner in which it should not have been used, and l want to know if you did it. I have no interest In the matter except to denounce the man if I can find him, and l want to know if it was you or MT. Harrison?'
 Dinwdde Makes Explanation.
 MT. Dinwiddie explained that he never had, sought to frank matter that did not bear on legislation or on publis matters.
 And nothing has been sent out" con tinued the spokesman, under MT. Clay tons frank except the extract from the record, except in some cases a copy of the report recommending the passage of the bill On other frankable matter other franks have been used'
 Representative Parker of New Jersey. member of the committee, contended that this statement had not answered MT. .Claytons question.
 DO you ever open sealed enyelopes?' he demanded
 adj not the rule, but that some of the en- velopes boarding MT. Claytons frank had come to him unsealed.
 LlttIefeld Asks Question.
 MT. Littlefield of Maine made this ex- planation in the form of question.
 You placed MT. Claytons speech in his franked envelope, other matter on the subject being in another franked en- velope. and then paid postage on other matters on the same subject which you did not regard as frankable?'
 That is it. assented MT. Dinwiddie.
 q am perfectly satisfied" ejaculated MT. Clayton, and l say right here now that l do not believe MT. Dinwiddie abused the use of my frank. And l be- lieve all that boast of MT. Harrison was done for the purpose of prejudicing Mir. Dinwiddie before this committee"
 Representative Bartholdt in the absence of Mr. Harrison, said he would like to say a word in his behalf. What MT. Harrison claimed was unfrankable mat ter, was contained in these envelopes he continued. And I think he has proved that fact beyond question by producing sealed envelopes"
 Moves to Close Incident.
 MT. Chairman" interrupted MT. Clay ton, T must protest against this for the reason that those envelopes might have been opened and filled with the matter they contained for the purpose of max ing violation and boastful display be- fore this committee. That man came be- fore this committee and said he was go- ing to paralyze and shock us. l don't think that MT. Bartholdt has got any right before this committee, l move you. sir. that this incident be closed"
 Mir Bartholdt protested against being taken from the floor in this manner, but Chairman Jenkins ruled this matter has been closed and the committee went in- to secret session.