Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-17
THE BARNES INQUIRY
Method of Procedure Decided
Upon Today.
ALL TO BE IN SECRET
No Record to Be Kept and Attend
anoe Voluntary.
AN UNSATISFACTORY RESULT
Will Naturally Occur Unless the Sen
ate Shall Pass a Specific
Resolution.
N Unsatisfactory RESULT

The subcommittee, consisting of Sena-
tors Carter, Burrows and Culberson, in
charge of the nomination of Mr.. Benz.
F. Barnes to be postmaster of this city,
has agreed on the method of procedure that
will be followed in this case.
The subcommittee has determined, in the
first place, that as the nomination of Mr..
Barnes Is matter that pertains to the ex-
ecutive Senate it cannot have open hear
Ing without being authorized to do so by
a resolution of the Senate; therefore all
proceedings of the subcommittee will be
behind closed DOORS and will be regarded
as confidential.
The subcommittee has also determined
that 1t cannot without specific authority
from the Senate, make record in this case
by having the proceedings reported steno-
graphically nor can 1t subpoena witnesses
and administer oaths.
Under these circumstances the subcom-
mittee has decided that it will make an in
quiry into the charges against Mr.. Barnes
in relation to the manner Mrs. Morris was
elected from the White House. Senator
Tllman will be informed by the subcom-
mittee that they will be glad to hear any
witnesses who have knowledge Of this sub
Ject.
These witnesses will be requested to
come before the subcommittee and tell
all they know about the matter under in
vestigation. But no eone Will be permitted
to be present at this hearing except the
subcommittee and any senators who de-
sire to be there. A senator has the same
right to be present at any committee
meeting as he has to be present at the
sessions of the Senate itself.
WIFI Nolxa Ronorf
When the subcommittee has heard this
testimony it will make report to the full
committee on post offices and post roads.
It will be for the fun committee to deter
mine whether the report from the sub
committee is satisfactory the disposal
of the question. If the report is not sufn-
ciently comprehensive for this purpose the
committee can take action which will re-
suit in g. recommendation to the Senate
for further authority to make more COM
plete investigation
This method of procedure is not regard
ed as likely to result IN any very salts
factory determination of the charges that
have been filed against confirmation of the
nomination of Mr.. Barnes.
The absence of any records of testimony
taken in the case. and the fact that wit
nesses will not be sworn, reduces this IN
vestigation to a mere informal inquiry,
which in the nature Of the case cannot be
brought to the attention of the Senate ex-
mony is taken under oath and Is printed for
the confidential inspection Of senators the
whole facts of the case are brought before
the Senate in a satisfactory way That will
be impossible under this method of proce-
dure. unless the committee on post offices
and post roads takes occasion to instruct
the subcommittee SO that more formal in
vestigation should be made.
The subcommittee expects TO get together
either today or tomorrow to take up this
matter, and within few days will be
ready to have such witnesses as 1t can Sc
cure. 1t is not believed that any person who
may be asked to appear before the sub
committee will decline to do so, a request
of this kind is generally regarded as a com
mand.
Story From the White House.
If the Senate does not specifically au-
thorize 1t there will be no investigation of
the charges against Benz. F. Barnes, nomi-
mated some time ago TO be postmaster of
the city of Washington. And the story Of
how It will not happen will he most in
teresting one 1t was told by Senator Car
ter of Montana, just after he had held a
conference with White House officials.
Those who know Senator Carter. who ap-
preciate his diplomatic qualities, the gen
tleness and persuasion with which he pre-
sents subject, will recognize him in the
following statement he made to White
House newspaper men:
You know that In @ matter of this kind
the committee will represent the Senate in
executive session emphasis on the execu-
t1ve) and not In legislative session. Conse-
quently, any testimony, affidavits or state
ments would be in executive session of the
committee. There would not be any print
Ing OF the testimony.
AS the matter now stands we have no au-
thority to subpoena witnesses or compel
their attendance. Those who may come
Forward voluntarily we can hear, we can
receive any affidavits that may be handed
to US.
No Law to Subpoena Witnesses.
There is no law by which we can SUBJ
poena witnesses unless the Senate passes a
resolution directing that this be done, and
as this resolution would probably be passed.
IL at all. in case of this kind, in executive
session. any hearing authorized would be in
executive session before the committee. I
know there is a widespread impression that
there will be public hearings In this case
and that people will be allowed to attend.
You see that we do not have any authority
to do this, in view Of our relations to the
Senate"
Witnesses. then, need not attend when
summoned?" asked one OF the newspaper
rnen whose name has been mentioned In
connection with the case, and who has
ben expecting long paper sumnsoning him
to the Senate.
Yes, that Is correct, unless the Senate
should pass q resolution directing that a
hearing be had" And the courteous Mon
tana senator purposely failed to watch the
smiles that crept over many faces
The purport of the statement OF Senator
Carter. who is member of the San
ate subcommittee In charge OF the
case. IL that not q 6ngle newspaper
man will voluntarily 90 to the Sen
ate to appear before the committee. or
the ave men summoned four have hereto
forc furnished statements antagonistic to
Mr.. Barnes but not one has been at all de-
s.rous of voluntarily testhying in the case
and would not be Inclined to do 80 unless
compelled by q summons that he cannot
avoid answering.
II Senator Tillnan desires to push the
case any further he will be compelled to
get the Senate to put through resolution
which would authorize the summoning of
Witnessed and the taking of testimony.