Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-18
CAPITOL FRAUD CHARGES
Stuart Says Campaign Pledges Must
Be Kept. ~
HE GOVERNOR IS URGENT
Keystone State Assembly May Recon-
vene in September to Act on Report
of Capitol Committee.

HARRISBURG. January 1S--The legisla-
ture at the end of the present regular
session may adjourn to meet next Septem-
Der to receive and act on the report "
the committee that will be appointed next
week to investigate the capitol graft
charges.
Doubt is expressed by Speaker Mccain
whether the committee can satisfactorily
complete its work before the end of the
present session. He pointed out that after
the appointment OF the committee experts
would have to be employed to examine the
accounts, to inspect the furnishings and
material, and that the taking of testt-
mony could not be begun before the mid
die of February.
Should the Legislature remain in ses-
sion until May l." said Mr.. McClain. and
| do not think ii will extend beyond that
date, the committee would have only two
months and a half in which to do its
work. This in my opinion, is not long
enough to make thorough and satisiac-
tory investigation of the charges"
When 1t was suggested that the COM
mIttee might continue its work and re-
port to the next session, the speaker en-
phatically opposed such a plan.
Gov. Stuart's Pledges.
This investigation must be completed be-
fore the next November election" he said.
He GeDuDi!Cdil lot governor ue-
clared that, If elected, he would see that
the investigation was started and carried
through without fear or favor, and that
the wrongdoers. if there are any should
be punished The republican members of
the legislature owe It to the people to
carry out this pledge, and do it promptly.
l am opposed to letting the investigation
drag along past the November election to
make capital for the democratic party in
the state.
The suggestion was then made that a
session could be held in September to re-
ceiye the report of the committee. If il
could not complete the investigation be
fore the end of the present session. The
speaker said he would prefer this plan
to the one to have the committee report
at the next regular session. The members
would receive no extra salary for attending
an adjourned session Of the legislature.
Speaker McClan had a long talk with
Gov. Stuart yesterday in relation to the
proposed investigation. The governor is
impatient at the course of the senate in
not acting promptly did the house
in adopting one of the resolutions to begin
the inquiry, instead of waiting a week or
ten days.
Plan of Inquiry.
The governor and Speaker McClain are
in accord in the matter and it was for the
purpose of fastening the investigation that
they met yesterday.
While together they arranged for
other meeting next Tuesday. This will
be attended by the governor. President Pro
TEN. Woods of the senate, Speaker McClan
and Chairmen Fisher and Beidleman of the
senate and house judiciary general COM
mittees. There Will be an Interchange OF
ideas on the scope and character of the
investigation and a resolution embodyin ing
the views of the governor will be agreed
upon. This resolution will be agreed on in
the senate on "Wednesday and concurred in
by the house Thursday, when the Joint
committee will be appointed. Phe commit
tee will confer with the governor, and his
advice will be followed in conducting the
investigation.