Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-16
Senator Gallinger Objects.

Senator Gallinger insisted that the reso-
luton had been amended since its intro
ductfon, and that while in the first place
he had interposed no objection to calling
| on the Attorney General for information.
in the amended form it was clear to him
| that the committee on the District OF CO.
lumbia should have jurisdiction OF the
resolution.
Senator Brown challenged Senator Gal
| linger to show why it should be SO re-
ferred. and Senator Gallinger replied he
would do in his own time and in his oWr
way. There was an exchange of sarcas-
| tic badinage between the two senator's
which ended by Senator Gallinger moving
to lay on the table the motion to refer the
| resolution to the committee on contingent
expenses.
roll call was ordered on this motion
| and by a vote OF 33 to 80 the motion to
refer to the committee on contingent ex-
penses was laid on the table. 1t was a
non artisan vote. some democrats voting
against Senator Brown and the insurgeni
republicans voting with him. The major.
ity Of the republican voted to sustain
Senator Gallinger's Effort
Senator Gallinger then moved to refer
the resolution to the committee on the
District of Columbia, and this motion pre-
cipitated further debate.
Senator Brown declared that an unusual
proceeding was contemplated in Senator
Gallinger's motion. He said the resolu-
ton had been referred to one of the
standing committees of the Senate and
was reported back without division in the
committee. This was a resolution inuuir-
ing into facts relating to a corpora tion
created by Congress.
Senator Brown demanded to know why
1t was proposed to divert it to another
committee. No other resolution Of similar
scope had ever been treated the way con-
templated by the opponents of his motion.
Never before had the Senate undertaken
to sidetrack a measure of this kind he
declared. He did not mean to reflect on
the District committee. but the committee
reflected on itself.
Senator Gallinger retorted that no such
subject matter as proposed in this resolu-
ton had ever been considered by any COM
mittee other than the committee ON the
District of Columbia.
Choice of Two Reasons.
Senator Brown replied that the trouble
was that the report did not suit the SEN
ator from New Hampshire. He said there
must be one Of two reasons for diverting
the resolution. First. either the commit
tee on organization OF corporations was
untitled to. take charge of the resolution.
or. second. the subject matter should not
be investigated by Congress.
Senator Brown demanded to know which
OF these reasons was being assigned for
diverting the resolution to the committee
on the District of Columbia.
Senator Gallinger replied that he took
no such position The District commit
tee has made several inquiries into the
subject proposed by the resolution and
whenever there is adequate f~ason will
undertake further inquiries. He said the
committee on organization and corpora
tions In the District Of Columbia was
a minority committee. created to provide
a Craftsmanship for a senator's. and had
not been created with the object of TAX
Gas Company Affairs Discussed.
Senator Brown then entered upon a
discussion of the gas company itself and
it's operations. He said the annual re-
port of the company to Congress ought
to move the Senate to an investigation.
The company had paid a total dividend
Of 20 per cent on capital stock Of 3d.
6O0, 900, after paying per cent interest
on certificates Of indebtedness of like
ments and retaining surplus of nearly
100000 He insisted that this showing
warranted an inquiry into the company's
affairs. II said Congress cannot sit idly
by and face these facts.
Senator Martin OF Virginia, a member
of the District committee, took the floor
In earnest opposition to sending the reso-
luton to other than the District COM
mittee He declared that the unbroken
line of presidents gave the District COM
mittee Jurisdiction. The senator from
Nebraska was not the only one competent
10 conduct such an investigation. and he
protested most vigorously against divert
ing the resolution.
Committee Chairman Passive.
Senator Taliaferro OF Florida. the DEM
ocratic chairman Of the committee on
organization of corporations In the Dis
trict Of Columbia. to which Senator
Brown wanted the resolution referred,
then entered the discussion. He said
he had not been a party to efforts IN