Arizona republican., 1910-04-20
 '. PROTECTED ? I Maxwell Still Witho|ds Source of Information
  OF SHIP SUBSIDY SCANDAL
Congressional Investigation Committee Is Not Sure of Its Power to Punish Ob- stinate Maker of Charges For Contempt

Washington. April 19.-Whether a report to the house will be made on the recalcitrancy of John M. Maxwell or Indianapolis. who refused to answer questions about his source of informa- ton for charges made in the American Flag reflecting on members of congress will be decided at an executive session of the ship subsidy investigating com mittee tomorrow. This was decided to- day after Maxwelrs counsel questioned the power of congress to force answers in such proceeding.
 Secretary John A. Penton of the Mer- chants Marine league, was recalled and testified that for the last year he had stood responsible for the American Flag. but regretted some of the undignified characteriZatiOns in the November is sue. Maxwell edited that number. Pen ton had differed with the editor on the subject.
 He recalled some of the contributions to the league. including 5000 or $6,000 from former Governor Herrick of Ohio and a check from John Hays Ham, mond Four hundred numbers of the American Flag were sent into Repre- 
 nesota. he said. without any peculiar motive and he had sent copies to many other districts The league had paid part of the expenses of former Repre- sentative I.andis of Indiana on a Chau- tauqua trip and of former Representa- tive McCleary of Minnesota on a speechmaking tour.
 At the afternoon session of the com mittee. Chairman Olcott again asked John Maxwell to name his informant as to the published charge that d London conference of shipping interests had been organized to make pro-rsta as- sessment to carry on "a Washington campaign" against ship subsidy legis- latiOn.
 Do you still decline to give, the names:'' asked Olcott. Yes. sir. l still decline" answered Maxwell.
 Mir Olcott explained that this was a vote. and again directed him to an- swer. He still refused. As to his published attack on Repre- sentative Kusterman of Wisconsin he said his informant was John A. Pen ton of Cleveland, secretary of the Merchants Marine league.
 The next point was the reference to the "subsidzing of certain congress- men"
 Who are they" asked the chair man.
 During my connection with the league" said Maxwell. Il was informed that certain congressman enjoyed more or less friendly relations with foreign shipping interests" The information. he said was contained in d private let ter. to which private letter in reply was sent from constituent of kuster-
 man. No names were mentioned in the letter. but the witness said he had had in mind several men whom he had been led to believe held relations with foreign shipping interests. but I did not see fit to give the names at that time. My information was largely hearsay"
 The witness refused to answer this question further. Counsel made a statement as t. precedents for the witness course in not answering. He contended that congress could not compel answers where the matter does not contemplate proposed legislation or misconduct. Neither he said. was in- volved in the question as to the Lon don conference.