Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
PRESIDENT MAY
DEFY CONGRESS
His Intense Feeling on the 18th
Infantry Affair.
WOULD VETO RESTORATION
And if Passed Over Veto Would Test
Its Constitutionality.
TO BE ANOTHER INVESTIGATION
Made by Assistant Attorney General
Purdy, Who Started South
Last Night.
WOULD VETO RESTORATION
TO BE ANOTHER INVESTIGATION

President Roosevelt is said to be pre-
pared to resist Congress in regard to the
Brownsville affair. He holds, it is al
legged. that it is beyond the province Of
Congress to legislate in behalf of restora-
ton of the dismissed troops, maintaining
that he alone can reinstate them, and that
he will do it only upon conclusive proof
of innocence in individual cases.
He will, it is said, If Congress should
pass resolution reinstating the dismissed
battalions, veto it. Furthermore. if it
should then be passed over his veto, he
will hold the enactment ultra wires and
not enforce 1t until its constitutionality is
sustained by the United States Supreme
Court.
The President, it is claimed, is not
afraid of Impeachment in such circum-
stances, but would be willing to go before
the country on the facts of the case, con-
fident that he would be sustained.
His attitude in respect to the foregoing
was outlined yesterday in informal talks
with friends who called at the White
House, according to reports that were cur
rent in this town last night. The declara-
lions were by means official, but were
offhand statements made in the course of
conversation, not understood, however, 10
be in the nature of confidential commune
cation and qualification as the presl-
dental viewpoint may change
The declarations are said, however. 10
CORRECTLY represent the state of the Presl-
dents mind and his opinions yesterday.
He entertains very intense feelins upon
the subject, which has been aecentuateo py
the debate in the Senate and by the atu-
tude of a section of the public press
which has criticised HIS action IN the case
Of the 25th Infantry. s,-,r--
Another Investigation.
Anather investigation of the Brownsville
affair which threatens to cause SO much
trouble has been ordered by the President.
This time It is a legal investigation in
which the facts will also be gone INTO
again.
Assistant Attorney General Purdy, one
of the principal law officers of the Depart
ment of Justice, has been ordered 10
brownsville by the President ana le1t
Washington last night at 1:1b O'clock on
tho shortest kind of notice. for the south.
His S,hristmas will be spent in getting pre-
AIRED for securing all the new facts ne can
get as to the alleged shooting up OF the
Texas town by the negro troops Oh lhe
25th Infantry.
Mr. Purdy is the law officer of the De-
partment of Justice who has had charge
of the most important trust cases plous i IL
by the government. He handed the North.
ern Securities case for the department Oh
Justice and has taken part in ali the con-
ferences in the last few months leading up
TO the legal actions brought against the
Standard Oil trust, both IN the rebate ease
and the dissolution case. The fact that ne
has been taken from these and hurrlediy
sent to Brownsville is thought TO snow the
deep interest of the President IN the mat
ter and a realization Oh tHe GRAVE '''ae"
involved.
Mr. Purdy was accompanied by stan
of stenugraphers and clerks and II Is prop
able they will take the testimony or as
many people In Brownsville as can be In
duced to talk. 1t is hoped to complete the
Investigation as quickly as possible and
make a report to the President.
Investigation by Congress.
The fact that a big fight is expected in
the Senate for an investigation by Con-
sress led by Senator Foraker, is sufficient
assurance to the President of the necessity
of arming himself with every possible bit
of information-especially such informal alton
as could be secured by such an able legal
officer as Mr. Purdy, who was, until his
appointment in Washington, United
States attorney in Minneapolis.
With the President on one side and Sena-
tor Foraker ON the other, and the country
watching Il jury. there Is promise of
lively times.
Holds Foraker Responsible.
During a talk with some of his callers
yesterday the President expressed the opn-
lon that the attitude of Senator Foraker in
the Senate last week in defense of colored
troops might have been responsible for the
attempted assassination of Capt. Edgar B.
Macklin at Fort Reno Friday night. Capt.
Macklin Is one of the officers OF the dis
charged battalion. and II he RECEIVERS is TO
BE- court-martlaled as a result of the dis
closures regarding the Brownsville affair.
Attention was called by the President to a
number of incidents somewhat similar in
character which had followed closely on
efforts OF well-disposed persons who had at
tempted TO Justify alleged lawless acts.
Tho views OF the President as to Senator
Foraker certain To prccipitate most
bitter feeling ia the Senate.
Senator Foraker and the President were
great friends until the rate bill separated
their opinions. 1t was Senator Foraker
who stood for the President when the sup
porters OF Mark Hanna We're seeking his