Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10
LAWYER FOR STEVENSON
Representative Will Engage Counsel
Before Explaining Letter.
McDERM0TT
EXCITED
Language Excluded From Record of
Ship Subsidy Scandal Inquiry.
Congress to Have No Attorney.

Unqualified He' was about the strong
est expression used at yesterdays session
Of the ship subsidy investigating COM
mittee. 1t would be called a compara-
lively dull meeting.
To be sure, there were some references
to 'muckrakers'' and the like. But they
didn't go in the record, the utterer, Rep
resentative McDermott, not being a wit
ness.
Harvey Goulder Of Cleveland, formerly
president of the Merchant Marine League,
and William Livingston of Detroit were
the witnesses at yesterday afternoons 8
session.
Wanted Lawyer for Congress.
Mr.. Steenerson, who introduced the
resolution for an inquiry into the charges
made in the leagues propaganda, in which
he, Kustermann Of Wisconsin, McDer-
mott of Illinois and other representa-
tives were mentioned. asked that time be
allowed to permit Congress to be repre-
sented by counsel"
Il don't understand that this is a mat
ter between Congress and the league az
ALL" interjected Attorney Worthington,
for the league.
"Oh, yes" retorted Steenerson
Il think that that would be a ref1ec-
tion on Congress-" suggested Representa-
tive Hardy of Texas.
The committee decided that it was un-
wiling that counsel should appear repre-
senting Congress, but that any member
may have counsel present.
Representative McDermott Angry.
The league had said in an editorial in
its organ, The American Flag, that
Mr.. McDermott. coming from the pack
ing house district of Chicago and being
democrat, readily lined up with the
merchant marine opposition and that
there is no particular significance in Mr.
McDermott's vote, though we have an
idea that 1t was in line with the wishes
OF the packers. and it certainly was
grateful to Minority Leader Clark
Il want to find out how far these
things can Co." Mr.. McDermott said to
the committee. Mr.. McDermott was not
a. witness The chair told the stenog-
rapher that that remark was not to go
IN the record.
1T shou go in the record" insisted
McDermott heatedly, "if there have been
assaults on character it should go in the
record
Mr. Kustermann was asked by the
committee If he wanted counsel. He re-
. led In the negative.
clean character to the officers of the
league. He denied that the league, SO
far as he had any knowledge, had ever
INDUCED in any lobbying, nor had it's
officers any direct personal interest in
ocean subsidy, their work being along
broad patriotic lines.
Information Not Provided.
Mr.. kustermann was unable to get from
Goulder even an approximate estimate of
the number of members of the league,
who they were, or whether they paid the
instruct that that data be furnished. The
committee was assured the information
would be forthcoming
A letter which Steenerson wrote at
tacking the league in the course of the
controversy over the ship subsidy legisla-
ton evoked discussion. Steenerson OBJ
jected to any questions concerning the
letter unf1f he had engaged counsel
Attorney Worthington asked Mr.. Liv-
ingston, as he had Mr.. Goulder, in a re-
draft of certain points in that letter. if he
had any knowledge-personally or
through intercourse with the others-"as
to whether the league is an organization
of interested parties who expect to get
big contracts and make money at ship
building and other enterprises. stimulated
by the proposed subsidy, and that their
patriotism and love for the flag is largely
# not wholly due to the appropriations
involved?
That" replied the witness. "is an un-
qualified lie
The committee adjourned to meet next
Tuesday.