Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-29
AGAINST PROBE PLAN
littleton Opposed to Inquiry
Into the money Trust"
BETTER A CURE, HE SAYS
Believes Harm Will Come From Elk.
position of Ills.
BLIND POLICY NOT WANTED
Doesn't Believe Democracy Should
Stand for Destruction-Admit
Misuse Of Power.
BETTER A CURE, HE SAYS
BLIND POLICY NOT WANTED

Representative Martin W. I.ittleton
charged today that the proposed ''money
trust investigation would identify the
democratic party with Il blind and de-
structive policy
so far as the political effect of the in
vestigation is concerned (and l dare say
that has not been absent from the minds
of those who propose the investigation, =
said Mr.. Littleton. 1T would simply have
the effect of further identifying the DEM
ocratic party with a blind and destructive
policy: acting without discriminating
judgment. and apparently careless of the
consequences of its conduct. If it con-
tinues with this policy it will lose the
ground recently gained and destroy the
confidence in its wisdom and Judgment
already inspired, and takes its place as
a party of protest and proclamations.
Better Use for Time.
IF We would put in the time which we
spend in calling attention to evils which
exist in the quiet. persistent, earnest con-
sideration of legislation necessary to
correct them we would achieve much
more"
Expressing regret that he found it
necessary to be SO radically opposed
to the proposal of his colleague, Mr.
henry. MIR. Littleton declared he feared
the rules committee chairman was los
ing sight of the fact that Congress lis
in no sense a national il.quisitorial body,
and that the sole power and necessity
for investigation by Congress through
a committee is to enable it to legislate
intelligently, and that when the power
and necessity, or either Of them, are alb
sent, no such investigations are author
lied or warranted.
"AS much as half Of the financial insti-
tutions through whose agency 1t Is sup
posed or charged that there is a money
trust Mr.. Littleton continued, ARE trust
companies and state banks. Take Greater
New York for instance. / believe the last
figures show that 1t has 1ifty-eight ma
tional banks, fifty-One trust companies
and ffty-seyen state banks--nearly twice
as many state financial institutions as
there are national banks. These state in
situations get their charters wholly from
and do their business wholly within the
state. I do not suppose that 1t is con-
tended that they are engaged in inter-
state commerce. Therefore. any inquiry
Of Congress could not properly reach an
inquiry into these institutions"
Power Used Unjustly.
Asserting that talk about money trust
was 'loose and Inaccurate Mr.. Littleton
said no one doubted that group of rich
men in New. York had very complete
command over the financially institutions
they commanded.
NO one doubts" he continued, that
this power is sometimes used unjustly,
but 1t is far cry from congressional in
vestigation, with its possibilities for harm
and its utter lack Of efficient machinery,
to conducting such an inquiry and the
correction Of the evils which this con-
troll represents.
THE Constitution provided for the crea-
ton OF various congressional committees.
and other committees have been created
since that time. These comprise and
comprehend every subject with which
Congress could deal, and I see no reason
why those committees should not dis
charge their ordinary constitutional du-
ties and make such investigations as are
necessary to enable them to legislate.'
Consolidation Of Inquiries.
Chairman Henry of the House rules
committee introduced today resolution
to appoint special committee Of seven
representatives to take up all investf-
cations proposed in pending resolutions
before committees. including the So
called money trust The committee
would consider the resolution to regu-
late Industrial corporations, to amend
the Sherman antitrust law, and to in
vestigate the use Of money in connec-
ton with the election Of public officials
and the underwriting Of speculative en-