The Washington times., 1912-02-04
SENATE PRISONER
MUST TELL WHY HE
AIDEDLOR|MERSIDE
Stenographer Blumenberg,
Confined for Contempt,
May Be Dismissed.

Why did Milton w. Blumenberg, an
official reporter for the Senate OF
the United States, take IL upon him
self to examine the notes made by
j. e. Sheridan, one of the witnesses
against Senator Lorimer, and then
report the results of his investiga-
tions to Edward Hines, who is accus-
ed OF having raised a fund to elect
Lorimer and to Judge Hynes, counsel
for Edward Hines?
Who suggested TO Blumenberg that
he examine the notes of Sheridan and
why did not Blumen berg, an official
employe of the Senate, convey his
Impressions to the committee in the
hrst place instead of to the side Of
the defense in case where corrupt
practices are charged?
Ihese are questions which Blumen-
befS, who is under arrest for con-
tempt, and who Is today held a pris-
oner by Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Il.
ans a. Cornelius viii be called on to
which is conducting the Lorimer in
Vestigation. The committee will go
INTO the facts thoroughly and will en-
ueaNor TO ascertain whether Blumen-
berg acted on his own initiative or
at the request of the defense.
Must Convince Senators.
" nat SOIl OF punishment VIII he
meted out to Blumenberg Is something
yet to be settled. 1t is expected he will
apologize to the committee, hut unless
ne can convince that body as 20 tho
propriety OF his relations with the Lori
nler people this will not satisfy the
committee. The case may even be car
ried to tic floor OF the Senate and
Rlumenhorg may loSe his position.
lOnhS BlumCDbnrP is i'll al his rOon1
at the Arlington.
,."he immediate cause Of tho arrest of
Elunicnberg was tue fact hc ordered
his stenogTaphers to quit work for the
committee This, however, was but an
incident in a series Of extremely SEN
tational happenings at last nights
When the committee met in the even
ing 1t was to hear testimony from J.
=. Sheridan, steaoEra Iher IN the en-
ploy of the Burns Agency The notes
purIorhd to record DhOnC graphic rc-
production of alleged admissions of
CHARLES MCGOWAN, jhe young Canadian,
that he swOre falsely
Sheridan was on the stand much Of
the afternoon and again in the even
ing. Throughout the afternoon, Blu
menberE looked over Sheridan's shoul-
der. Last night, soon after the session
started; he obtained Sheridan's note
Dook; Inspected 1t: whispered to Ed
ward Hines and then, stepping before
Sheridan. addressed the committee and
denounced the notes and said they
were faxed"
Declared Notes Manufactured.
Excitement followed and Senator
Jones who was presiding asked him
what he meant. He declared the notes
were manufactured. Senators Jones,
Lea, and Kenyon, the only members
present. questioned him. Asked to
whom he had talked about the notes
he named Edward Hines. Judge HYnes
Miss Lawler, committee employe, and
one or two others.
Senator Jones, who presided, demand
co TO know why he hal not communi-
Gated with the committee. or uIem-
Der of IT..
''Oh, they are not the most important
people in the world" replied Blumcn-
berg defantly to the dazed Senators.
1T seems not when everyone is told
except members Of the committee"
said Senator Jones.
Elumenberg, when questioned, insisted
ne had examined Sheridun's notes at
his own instance. lie said ne had
uuiZGCd Sheridan and was convinced
hC could not report Il running talk.
Sat Down By Hynes.
Members of the committee consulted
and Blumenberg sat down by Judge
Hynes. Attorney Healy for the COM
mittee' asked that the record show
the official reporter had sat down by
counsel for Hines. Senator Jones at
once sent word to Blumenberg, who
got up, said eXCitedly he had been
ordered to leave the room, and order
ed the stenographer to quit. Senator
Jones said he had merely asked him
to change his seat.
Blumenberg then left the room the
committee hurriedly went into exeCu-
tive session, and the arrest of Blum
enberg followed.
II the charges of Blumenberg that
the Sheridan notes were faxed are
sustained, an irreparable blow will
have been struck at the evidence as
to the alleged perjury of MCGOWAN.
On the other hand, unless ii can be
shown that there was no impropriety
IN the relations between Hines and
Blumenberg or between the defense
and Blumenberg, the affair will be
damaging to LOrimer
Members of the committee are much
wrought up over what has occurred.