The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-12

pert work, $1,000 for stenograpilic work,
and $500 for assistant counsel fees.
Representative Baker of California
criticised the committee, declaring that 1t
i had expended large sums of money TO
enable William Rockefeller to escape
the jurisdiction of the House." At this
point Mr.. Mann arose.
4 have no doubt" he said, that in
| tho opinion of the gentleman from Cal
ifornia and some other members of the
House, the committee ought to have
hanged Mr.. Rockefeller off hand with
out further consideration. If Mr.. Rookie
feller had not been Mr.. Rockefeller, a
rich man, neither the gentleman from
California nor anyone else would have
tried to take his testimony at the risk
OF his life. 1t was only because he was
rich, richer than we are, that he was
pursued through feelings Of personal an
mostly"
Mr.. Mann further declared that the
money trust committee had been author
lied originally to expend only $4,000. He
quoted the statutes providing penalties of
Imprisonment and fine for executive off
GERS entering upon obligations exceeding
the appropriations at their disposal and
continued:
I'VE are very careful in making laws IS
to what the executive departments shall
do and then our own committees do the
very thing for which we would send
man to the penitentiary If he were an
administrative officer and yet we condone
the offense and pay the bill This com
mittee had no authority to incur a single
obligation beyond the $4,000 authorized
and when it did that it violated the law
and instead of being punished, as it ought
to be it asks us to pay these exorbitant
and outrageous bills which ought never
to have been incurred.
Ridicules Democrats
"Ohl We heard a lot about how
democratic House, a democratic Con-
gress, was going to reduce appropria-
tions. Here is an investigation of no value
which cost, as gentlemen now say 100000.
1t is 100000 thrown away"
Economy shouted Mr.. Mann, shaking
his fist at the democratic side, while
the republicans cheered. Everywhere
appropriations are piling up-the naval
appropriation BILL that will carry over
a $50. ,000-every appropriation bill
reaching the limit! Economy with no
management on that side of the House,
no organization on that side of the House,
with a disorganized mob in control of
the legislation of this House, piling up the
appropriation bills and condoning the Of
fenses Of an investigating committee
when II violates the law. / hope we may
have return to economy, to some idea
of proper legislation and to members of
congress living up u lne law thcih-
selves
Representative Garner. democrat, of
Texas, replied to Mr.. Mann. declaring
that while he did not defend the COM
mittee, II don't believe any 100000 ever
spent by a Congress for investigating
was ever spent to better advantage than
that expended for the work of this conf
mittee."
Representative Hughes, republican of
West Virginia, said that the committee
had exceeded its authority, gone junket-
ing around the country, playing horse
with William Rockefeller
The democrats were lectured severely
by Chairman Fitzgerald. "Uness this
side of the House makes up its mind to
get down to business he said, mot
only will the appropriations be enormous,
but they will be so much that any talk
of revising the tariff downward will be
a hollow mockery"
Representative Lloyd of Missouri de-
Tending the committee, Samuel INTER
myer. its counsel. declared that never
in the history of the American Congress
had there been so much real invest-
eating done for the money.
Wasn't there a substantial financial
arrangement with Mr. Untermyer before
the committee began work?' acked Mr..
Mann.
II don't know as to that" said Mr..
Lloyd, but I want to say that Mr.. I'm
termyer has rendered splendid service
and deserves every dollar he will get
from Congress
81 am sorry can't agree with you.'
said Mr.. Mann and the discussion ended.