Evening star., 1904-03-12
Will Investigate Allegations
as to Representatives.
MCCALL Is CHAIRMAN
PERSONNEL GIVES SATISFACTION
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE.
1t is Believed That the Inquiry Will
Be Thorough and Will Not Justify
Charge of "Whitewashing."

Speaker Cannon in the House today an
nounced the committee which under the
resolution introduced yesterday afternoon
by Representative Mccall of Massachu-
setts is to investigate matters affecting
members of the House of Representatives
in connection with the Post Office Depart
ment. as follows: Representatives Mccall
of Massachusetts, Hit of Illinois, Burton
of Ohio Metcalf of California, McDermott
of New Jersey. Bartlett of Georgia and
Richardson of Alabama.
The personnel of the committee gives the
utmost satisfaction to the members of the
House of both parties. 1t is believed that
the investigation to be conducted by this
committee will be thorough in every re-
speet and that charge of "whitewasf-
ing can be brought against it.
The resolution introduced by Mr. Mccall
provides that the pending report of the
committee on post offices and post roads
and all accompanying papers and communi-
cations contained in House report 1895. so
far as the same relates to members of the
House. be committed TO select commit
tee of seven, to be appointed by the
Speaker with instructions to consider the
report and papers and communications, so
far as they relate to members, and the ORR
gin of the papers and communications The
select committee under the resolution Is
authorized to fully investigate the mat
ter. to hear members and other persons
named in the report and any official of the
Post Office Department in respect to mat
ters affecting members of the House con-
tanned in the report, papers and communi-
cations. and as soon as. may be to report
to the House the result of said investiga-
ton The select committee is authorized
further to sit during the sessions of the
House, examine witnesses on oath. compel
the attendance of witnesses and the produc-
tion of papers and to employ such clerical
i-fA hca nrx- aI hN.x-Q
such printing done as the needs of the
committee may require.
Personnel of the Committee.
In selecting the committee it is stated it
the desire of Speaker Cannon to find
men who are known to be thoroughly in
dependent and above party dorliration.
The personnel of the committee as an
nounced indicates that he was successful
in his pursuit. Mr.. Mccall of Massachu-
setts. who is to be the chairman of the
committee, while an indefatigable party
worker. is nevertheless independent in all
his actions, and is not dominated by strict
party influences Mr.. McCalls independ-
ence is well known to members of the
House. and it is believed that the -investi-
cation to be carried on under his direction
will be thorough and convincing any
member of the House can desire. Mr.. Hit
of Illinois, the second member Of the ccn-
mtteee, is well known throughout the
country as the chairman of the House COM
-nittee foreign affalrS. He, TOO, IS KNOWN
TO be- thoroughly independent.
Mr.. Burton of Ohio chairman of the
House committee rivers and harbors-
He, too, is absolutely above party domina-
ton, was proved only short time ago,
when he arose in his place in the House
and vigorously attacked the naval appro-
priation bin which is party measure, and
reflected a party policy. Mr. Metcalf OF
California is a stanch republican, but is
not fettered down by any obligations of a
strictly party character. The four gentle
men above mentioned represent the repub-
ncan party on the committee.
Among the democrats Mr.. McDermott of
New Jersey is known as an able lawyer.
Mr. MCDermott is especially well known
here in Washington as president of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. MIR. Bartlett of Georgia Is par
tcularly able man. and will assist ma
terialiy in getting at the foundation of the
report which has SO stirred up the mem
bers OF the House. He is an indefatigable
worker. Mr.. Richardson of Alabama com
Yletes the list.
1t is noticeable that no member of the
committee selected by Speaker Cannon has
been mentioned in connection with the post
office cases. 1t is also noticeable that none
of the special committee is a member of
the House committee post Offices and
post roads.
First Meeting of Committee.
The committee met at 1 80 this afternoon
in executive session and organized by the
election OF MI. McCall as CHAIRMAN Inc
work to be done was outlined The COM
mItee was still in session when The
Stars report closed.
At the Post Office Department.
Neither Postmaster General Payne nor
Fourth Assistant Bristow was at his Of
fce today. both being i'll. and the duty of
receiving ind gnant representatives develop
ed upon First Assistant Wynne. who, as
acting postmaster general. bore his honors
modeStly and with becoming dignity ap
peaSed the anger of the multitude which
swuoped down upon him with vengeance
in its eye and club behind its back.
Bur the busiest man in the depar tment.
not excepting Mr.. Wynne, was c. A. Con-
Tard, the chief clerk of the fourth as
sistant and acting in the capacity of his
chief in the absence of the latter. Mr.. Con-
rard explained to the indignant represen-
tatives Of the people that ne didn't believe
Mr.. Bristow had had anything personally
to do with the writing of the supplement
tary eport called for by Chairman Over
street of the committee on post offices and
post roads. He did not go far to say
IL ifa bn frrsu iradi