The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-11-12
TAKE THE LID OFF,!
DEMOCRATS TO CRY
Majority in Next House Will
Convert Itself Into In
VeStigating Body.

Take the lid Off, will De the cry Of
the Democrats as soon as they enter
on the first session OF the Sixty-second
Congress.
One of the most in ,rtant functions
Of the Democratic Z Sc VIII be lnves-
tigation. Demand wiz be made that
pretty nearly everything be investi-
gated. This demand will be acceded to.
At every hand. where the Democrats
have been charging the Republicans
with taking the questionable course or
with wrOngdOing, the probe will be set
at work. The Democratic leaders de-
clare IL will go to the bottom Of things,
too.
If the Democrats had control OF the
Senate as Wei as the House. they
could conduct Investigations more ef-
fecuvely- SIN. II viii be possible 10 do
much on the strength OF resolutions Of
the House. joint resolutions passed by
both House and Senate, and signed by
the President, would carry more weight
because they would have all the force
Of law. The power OF a single branch
Of Congress 10 punish witnesses for
contempt IN falling 10 answer questions
under oath is open 10 some question.
But, at that the average witness heSi-
tateS 10 defy committee Of either
branch Of Congress, and once a commit
tee is set at work, and goes at II in
earnest, there viii not be much diff
Guilty in getting at the facts.
Subjects For Inquiry.
Among the other things which VIII
be investigated without doubt is the
conduct of affairs in Alaska. and the
allegations Of control OF the Alaskan
government by the Morgan uggen-
helm syndicate. the conduct Of the
Interior Department under Secretary
u Too .H..Hm
toward protecting the public domain.
The circumstances OF the requirement
OF the Panama canal, the charges OF
eNtraFagaut conduct OF the Govern
ment IA various particulars. the con-
duct OF the Postoffice Department, the
subject OF railroad mail charges. con-
duct OF the customs service with eSpe-
cial reference 10 the sugar frauds, and
various other matters. II would not
be surprising If there We're an in
quiry anew into the BallinRer- PluchOt
controversy, or some phases OF H. As
a general proposition. the Democrats
with the Republican invests cations,
and they are likely TO reopen almost
any matter that has been an object
Of Republican inquiry
All along the line fl viii be the
Democratic policy 10 take the I'D
or The Democrats have the notion
that If they uncover the pots and
kettles which the Republicans have
Il"
disclose some strange stews.
Expected To Help In 1917.
And more than this, they think they
wiz be able to make some exposures
that viii materially help them in their
quest Of the Presidency in 1912.
It is not unlikely there will go I'D
demand for inquiry by Democratic
committee into the cost of living, for an
inquiry by Democrats into the workings
Of tariff schedules, and for an inquiry
into the subject OF railroad capita liza
ton Various trust inquiries may De-
looked for.
Among other things. the lid is likely
u be taken off affairs in the District of
Columbia. For a long time. there has
been "A demand here for an inquiry INFO
the capitalization of the gas cOmpanv.
the street railroad companies. and the
public service corporations in general
forts VIII be made 10 get a Demo
cratic House 30 take these things up IL
they have not already been disposed Of
by Republican Congress at me short
session.