Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-03
Mr.. Stevenson Makes Serious
Charges in the House.
SUBSIDY METHODS CORRUPT
Blackmail, Conspiracy and Intimida.
ton Among Allegations.
CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION
Resolution introduced and Referred
to the Comraittee on
Judiciary.

sensational charges alleging that Of
fiers of the Merchant Marine League Of
Cleveland, Ohio, have conspired with a
view to securing the enactment of ship
subsidy legislation by corrupt means are
contained in a resolution presented to
the House today by Representative
Stevenson of Minnesota The Steener-
son resolution, which was submitted In
the open house, provides for the ap-
Dointment OF a special committee of seven
members to inquire into the Stevenson
charges. 1t was referred to the House
committee on the judiciary.
Breathing of corruption, blackmail.
conspiracy and intimidation. the resolu-
ton created a sensation in the House.
II was brought up as q result of the &C
ton Of the Minnesota member In asking
that he be permitted to address himself
to question Of privilege. He asserted
that in recent issue of the American
Flag, Cleveland magazine, statements
were made that reflected on him in his
representative capacity. The matter was
brought up In the House on Tuesday, but
at that time the Speaker ruled that a
question Of personal privilege was not
involved. The suggestion was made that
the whole matter go over until today.
Overruled by Speaker.
When the journal had been approved in
the House today Speaker Cannon an
nounced that he was ready to rule on
the question Of privilege raised by the
Minnesota member. He said that the
matter to which Mr.. Steenerson had taken
exception was embraced in an article in
which certain deductions were drawn
from a letter on the subject OF subsidy
legislation written by Mr.. Steenerson.
He ruled that this letter did not COM
prise an official utteranoe by the Mime
sofa member; that 1t was not written In
his representative capacity. and that 1t
was on par with campaign speeches
that might be made by members of Con-
gress. He held that the press had right
to criticise acts or utterances Of MEM
and that such criticism. according to pre-
cedents and usage, did not constitute a
breach Of the privilege OF a member.
A long discussion followed between MI
STEVENSON and Speaker Cannon, resulting
In the former making the announcement
that he had some new propositions that
had not been given consideration by the
Speaker in making his ruling. He raised
the question of general privilege, or In
other words commended that the conspir-
subsidy legislation through Congress by
corrupt means affected the honor Of the
House as a whole.
Resolution Is Read.
After consulting the precedents, the
Speaker ruled that certain allegations in
the Stevenson resolution did constitute
a question of general privilege, and the
Minnesota member was permitted to offer
formally the resolution. which, after its
reading, was referred to the judiciary
committee.
The Stevenson resolution is a lengthy
document. It recites that the officers and
other members OF the Merchant Marine
League are engaged in issuing pamphlets.
periodicals and other printed matter de-
voted to the advancement and agitation
Of legislation for appropriations by Con-
gress for ocean mail payments generally
further, that an effort is being made i'm
properly to influence members Of Con-
gress. and that in pursuance of this con-
spiracy funds are being raised by sub
scription in various states in the Union
from various interested persons. Mr..
Stevenson also charges that representa-
tives of the league have gone into his
district in an effort to defeat him for re-
election because of his opposition to ship
subsidy legislation.