The Washington herald., 1912-12-17
PROBE
ORDERED; MANN
RAPS JUSTICES
Continued from Page one.

johnson resolution had been referred,
met early in the afternoon to consider
the measure. Both Mr.. johnson and
Charles F. Carusi, general counsel for
the two companies, insited that an i'm
mediate investigation of the charges
should be ordered. The committee decided
upon unanimous report, sending in the
johnson resolution without the stringent
requirements governing the giving of
| testimony. The following clause was
eliminated:
Clause is Eliminated.
ANY false statement made under such
oath shall subject the offender to all
the penalties provided for by law in the
District of Columbia for the punishment
Of the crime Of perjury. No person shall
be excused from giving testimony or from
answering any question, or from other
wise disclosing any facts within his
knowledge as an individual, as an officer
or director of any corporation or private
partnership or as public official, or from
producing any book, paper or document,
on the ground that the giving of such
testimony or the production of such book.
paper or document would tend to incrim-
mate him, or for any other reason"
The resolution, as amended and passed,
reads as follows:
Resolved, That the Committee on the
District of Columbia of the House OF
Representatives, or any subcommittee
thereof which the chairman of said COM
mittee may appoint. is hereby author
lied and directed to investigate the con-
duct. management, history, records, and
affairs of the Commercial Fire Insur-
ance Company OF Washington, District
of Columbia, and of the First National
Fire Insurance Company OF the United
States, Washington, District of Column
bla, both doing business in. the District
of Columbia, and of the office of the
Superintendent of Insurance of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and of Tuttle, Wight
man and Dudley dncorporated), doing
business in the District of Columbia,
together with those Of their associates,
representatives, and agents and to eX-
anime the books, papers, accounts, and
affairs of the aforesaid companies and
of the Superintendent of Insurance of
the District of Columbia: TO appraise
the property real and personal, belong
ing to said corporations or either of them.
Said committee, or such subcommittee
thereof as may be selected. is author
lied to sit during the sessions of the
House and during any recess of Con-
gress. Its hearings hall be open to the
public, and it is authorized and empow
ants, appraisers, and such other clerical.
stenographic, and expert assistance as it
may deem necessary; also to compel wit
nesses to attend and testify, and to send |
for such persons and papers and to ad- |
minister oaths TO witnesses as the COM
mittee may deem best. The expense in |
cident to the investigation herein author |
lied shall not exceed $4,000, and shall be |
paid out of the contingent fund of the |
1fo- N,,r
chairman of the committee and approved |
by the Committee on Accounts"
Cannon Makes Objection.
The only objection came from former |
Speaker Cannon of Illinois, who was at |
loss to understand why the two COM
panies mentioned should have been /
singled out, particularly as, in his opin-
ion the investigation might well be con-
Quoted by the Superintendent of Insur-
anCe.
Mr.. Henry and Mr.. Mann Joined forces
in assuring the former Speaker that the
was demanded by the in
surance companies. as well as by the
who are responsible for the res
oIution. and are desiriOus of a speedy and
investigation. Mr.. Cannon was
Of the opinion that the introduction of
the resolution and the, resultant agita-
ton was nothing but "a gentle way OF
the two companies
through the creation of suspicion against
them. Mr.. Cannon. however. finally
agreed not 70 object to the resolution.
and it passed the House by unanimous
consent.
That the probe will not be limited to
the District and that the investigators
TO be named by Chairman johnson may
have trips to other states ahead of them
is indicated by messages coming in to
of Congress from insurance
of other states. 1t is no.
iced that the resolution authorizes the
of $4,000 and does not re-
Iuire that the money be expended in
the District.
1t is known that members of Congress
have been inforped that in Massachu-
5etts New York and Wisconsin the COM
oanies are, in the opinion of the infor-
nants, either operating in violation OF
he State insurance laws, or are re-
jralned from operating in those States
because of the laws. In addition 1t is
-harged that the previous operations On
he active heads OF the companies in
'ther States have laid them open to Sc
rere criticism.
Chairman Johnson did not announce the