New-York tribune., 1911-12-05
L|TTlETON DEFENDS
HIS NAME IN HOUSE
RepudiateS Bryan and DenOunCeS
Antitrust Leagues Charges
in Steel Inquiry Incident.
MANN ASKS INVESTIGATION
Republican Leaders Resolution
May Cause Airing of Demo
cratic Row in Congress
Removal Is Asked.


allegiance TO William Jennings Bryan
and arraigning those who have criti-
cised his course in the Stanley Steel
Trust investigating committee, Repre-
sentative Martin Littleton. in terms as
vigorous as parliamentary usage would
permit. electrified the House to-day.
As Mr.. Littleton denounced those who
have called him an ally Of the Steel
Trust" Henry B. Martin. secretary Of
the Antitrust League, the special OBJ
, ject Of the Littleton attack. was busily
engaged in filing with Speaker Clark a
memorial demanding Mr.. Littleton's eX-
, pulsion from the House
\ The Democratic colleagues of the New
York member moved uneasily in their
seats as he aired the Littleton Stanley
controversy and its side issues growing
q out Of Mr.. Littleton's contention that
r. tho steel committee should curtail the
scope of its investigation. since the gov
ernment has filed suit against the Steel
Trust.
when Mr.. Littleton had finished his
eloquent effort. which was heard by
practically the full House membership
and many Senators. Mr.. Mann, the mi
nority leader sent TO the desk resolu
tion demanding a special inquiry into
the authorship of the charges attacking
Mr.. Littleton's official integrity. The
resolution went 10 the Committee on
Rules, and unless Democratic peacemak-
ers intervene the Stanley -Littleton feud
and the newspaper story growing out Of
Il may be thoroughly aired. 10 the dis
comiture Of the Democratic majority.
Mr. Littleton numerically denounced
Mr.. Martin, whom he characterized as
a 'meddler. a blackmailer and a hanger
on" about the Stanley committee room.
Indirectly. Mr. Littleton criticised the
. chairman, A o. Stanley, for tolerating
. Martin, whom Mr.. Littleton also alleged
10 be In sympathy with bear interests in
Wall Street.
6lames Martin for Attack.
It was Mr.. Martin who inspired the re-
cent attack on the New York member in
a New York newspaper. said Mr.. Little
ION to-day. and he blamed him also for
circulating stories which caused William
Jennings Bryan 10 demand that Mr.. Lit
tleton should be retired from the Stan
ley committee The New York member
dramatically exclaimed:
IF in my service upon committee
party loyalty requires me 10 do as I am
hid. either by the corrupt alliances Of
Henry 3. Martin, or the intolerant out
side influences represented by W. j..
Bryan. or the combined influence of
both. I shall refuse to obey the mandate
Of my party and shall prefer to sub
scribe myself TO the obligations of my
oath"
Mr.. Littleton did not demand that the
House investigate his charges, announc-
ing that he would content himself with
the statement of his position and denial
Of the allegations against him. Most of
Mr.. Littleton's speech was devoted to a
defence Of his position on the commit
lee and 10 a complete denial OF the ac-
cusation that he was allied with the
trust interests" His references TO Mr.
\ Bryan were based on the Nebraskan's
|l editorial asserting that Mr.. Littleton
NdS a lliDi bAlS liSNlllS i'ciNNIpldiS anu
"will be retired from the committee if
the House Democrats really desire that
Democratic profession on the trust ques-
tion be accepted seriously Mr.. Little
':on said:
The source Of this article was the lying
scandals of this man Martin. I have al
ways esteemed Mr.. Bryan highly, per-
sonally, and ] believe in turn he has held
mo I'm goodlv respect. We have visited to-
Eether often, and while there have been
differences Of opinion they have not been
differences Of opinion which created the
slightest bitterness.
But even ne. on the circulated false
hoods of this man Martin. goes off half
cooked in The Commoner" and assumes.
FIRST, that the chairman or any member of
the committee had dared to demand my
retirement from the committee; second,
that the question OF my retirement from
the committee was before the House. and
third and most astonishing, that the ques-
tion of my retirement from this committee
could be settled because | dared to have
any convictions Of my own, to exercise any
Judgment. appeal 20 any canon Of justice,
or vote in accordance with any opinion OF
nv