Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-15
RESOLUTION is AUTHORIZED
Proposed Examination Of Accounts
by Nine Committees.
MAY SIT DURING THE RECESS
Power Given to Subpoena and Ex-
anime Witnesses Under Oath, and
60 Send for Necessary Evidence.

Speaker Clark, Majority Leader Under
wood and the chairmen of the commit
tees on expenditures in the nine executive
departments Of the government the ma
chnery was put in motion for the COM
prehensive and searching investigation OF
official Washington which is contemplat-
ed by the democrats.
In addition to Speaker Clark and Chair
nan Underwood Of the ways and means
committee, the men who participated in
this mornings conference were Represen-
tative Hamlin Of Missouri. chairman OF
the committee on expenditures in the
State Department; Representative Cox
Of Indiana. chairman of the committee on
expenditures in the Treasury Department;
Representative Helm Of Kentucky, chair
man OF the committee on expenditures Of
The War Department.; Representative
Hardy of Texas. chairman of the commit
tee on expenditures of the Navy Depart
ment; Representative Ashbrook of Ohio,
chairman Of the committee on expend1-
lures Of the Post ONCE Department: Rep
Tesentative Graham Of Illinois, chairman
Of the committee on expenditures of the
Interior Department: Representative
Beall Of Texas. chairman Of the commit
tee on expenditures Of the Department of
Justice; Representative Moss Of Indiana,
chairman of the committee on expendi-
lures OF the Department of Agriculture;
Representative Rothermel of Pennsylva-
mia, chairman Of the committee on ex-
penditures Of the Department of Com
merce and Labor, and Representative
Cline of Indiana, chairman of the COM
mittee on expenditures Of public buildings.
Resolution Authorized.
As a result Of that conference Repre-
sentative Hamiin OF Missouri, chairman
OF the committee on expenditures of the
State Department, was authorized to in
troduce resolution directing the "com-
lnittees en- expenditures in the State,
Treasury. War. Navy. Post Office, In
terror, Commerce and Labor, Justice and
Agricultural departments and on public
buildings to proceed to examine into the
state of the accounts and expenditures
Of the respective departments under their
jurisdiction. and into all the affairs of
the departments as fully as is permitted
70 them and made their duty by the rules
Of the House
The resolution further provides that
'for the purpose of enabling the commit
lees fully to comprehend the workings of
the various branches or departments Of
The government, the investigation may
cover such period as each committee may
deem necessary for the protection of the
public interests and for the exposing of
frauds or abuses Of any kind in the de-
partments.'
Powers of the Committee.
The resolution empowers the committees
10 subpoena and examine witnesses un-
der oath and send for records, books,
papers and all other evidence that may
be necessary to make the investiga-
tons full and complete" The Speaker
Is given power TO sign. and the clerk of
the House to attest, subpoenaS during
the recess of Congress. and the commit
tees may sit during the recess, il neces-
sary.
The Investigations will be conducted
under that rule Of the House of Rep
resentatives which gives the expendi-
lures committees authority for Eek
hminauonS OF the accounts and expendi-
lures OF the department: the economy.
oenditures and their conformity with ap-
preparation laws. the proper application
Of public moneys. the security of the
government against unjust and extrava-
CANT demands, retrenchment. the en-
sorcement OF payments due the United
States, the economy and accountability
Of public officers, the adjustment of
useless Offices. the reduction or increase
'f the pay OF officers"
Object Of the Inquiry.
Mr.. Hamlin today made brief state
nent to a Star reporter with reference to
HE purpose of the inquiry.
THE democrats" he said, propose TO
etrench, but the investigating commit
ees do not propose to urge retrenchment
10 the detriment of the service. The real
economy comes in placing the work of the
departments a businesslike basis, in
setting real work for proper and reason
lble salaries and in doing away with
hose positions filled by employees who
rave nothing TO do.
I've will go into the question of super
innuation and will attempt TO devise
ZONE plan for the relief of superan.
Buated employees who are physically un-
lble to perform the duties that should be
required. This, of course. means an in
Yestigation of the classified service alone
With the other things that we deem neeo
The attention of the democratic House
We may nnd material that will show uI
republican extravaganza and that Wi
make good democratic campaign mate
fa!. But our probe is not for that pri
nary purpose. We want to readjust the
departments. to stop leaks and to get ar
adequate return for the money this gov
.rnment spends annually"