Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-04

Representative Martin W. Iittleton of
New York stirred the House OF Repre-
sentatives today with q diatribe against
those whom he alleged had maliciously
DETAINED him because Of his independen,
attitude as a member Of the House COM
| mittee Of inquiry into the United States
Steel Corporation, He charged that
Henry B. Martin, secretary. Of the Anti.
Trust League. had circulated false ac-
cusations against him. and he accused
Martin of consorting with David Lamar,
a bear operator in Wall street, to aid In
the depression of steel stock. He charged
that William Jennings Bryan had gone
Off half-cocked" in the Commoner in his
comment upon the steel Investigation.
Mr.. Littleton did mot 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
Defense of Position.
Most Of Mr.. Lttleton's speech was de-
voted to defense of his position on the
committee and to complete denial OF
the accusation that he was allied with
the trust interests. His references to
Mr.. Bryan ;werc ,based upon the ~Nebras-
kans editorial declaring that Mr.. Little
ton was q 'thoroughgoing reacticnary'
and will he retired from the committee
IL the House democrats really desire
that democratic profession on the trust
question be accepted seriously
The source OF this article" declared
Mr.. Littleton, was the lying scandals
Of this man Martin l have always es-.
teemed AIr. Bryan highly. personally. anu
l believe n turn he has held me in good
ly respect. We have visited together
often, and. while, there have been differ
ences of opinion, they have not been diff
ferences OF opinion which created the
slightest bitterness. But even he. on the
circulated faisehoods of this man Martin,
goes off 'half-cocked N the Commonel
and assumes. first, that the chairman or
any member of the committee had dared
to demand my retirement from the COM
mittee: second, that the question Of my
retirement from the committee was be-
fore the House, and third, and most as
tonishing, that the question Of my re-
tirement from this committee could be
settled because I dared :" have any con-
-v:ctions Of my own. to exerc Sc any judg-
ment, appeal to any canon Of justice. or
vote In accoruauce WITH any opinion OF
my own.
Not Bound to Party.
LET me say here and now that if in
my service upon a committee loyalty to
my party requires ME to do as I am bid.
either by the corrupt alliances Of Henry
B. Martin, or the ntolerant outside In
fuences represented by William j. Bryan.
or the combined influence Of both, shall
refuse to obey the mandate Of my party
and shall prefer to subscribe myself to
the obligations of my oath.
Il have never yet come to the prosti
tuted position intellectually where l shall
so debase myself as to Hing away the OBJ
legations which 1 took TO serve my coun-
try, under the fear OF organized black
mail-or because of the uninformed and
impatient criticism of a man whom l have
supported in two Of his three presiden-
tial campaigns.
Mr.. Lttleton stated that he confessed
to some .'bewilderment over the prefixes
progressive or reactionary," and that he
believed there 'is distinct class of
politicians whose prejudices are progress
sive but whose principles are reaction
ary.'
These leaders Of progressive prejudicts
and reActionary REFORM. he said, over
look the fact that real progress Is the un-
folding energy OF the whole people work.
ing the miracle of civilization through the
irresistible industry and unfettered genius
OF a progressive race They seem to
think that progress is the quick and un-
questioning appropriation OF every un-
tried experiment instead Of the slow and
patient building Of the years"
Not the Way to Power.
Il may misjudge the future Mr.. Lit
tieton said. as he turned to his democratic
colleagues. but in my humble opinion
the party that seeks to reach the seat Of
power by gathering together the progress
sive prejudices Of the country and setting
itself against the substantial and sensible
progress OF an ambitious people will ind
itself buried beneath an overwhelming
disaster. We cannot smother Industrial
CONTINUED on Fifth PaGe)