The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-02-22
Says Chairman Had Not Been in
Office of Railroad Commission
During Present Session
NON-PARTISAN FEATURE KEPT
Senate, By Vote of 80 to 20, Upholds
a Primary Principle-Dux->
bury Led Fight.
~ United Rrsss.

~ United Press.
St. Paul, Mimi, Feb. 22-Elias
STEVENSON, postmaster at Crookston
Chas. E. Elmquist, member Of the
state railroad and warehouse COM
mission; E. l.. WEIGH, commission
man, and member of the Minneapo-
lis Chamber of Commerce, and Thos.
Lawson, local correspondent and
political writer for the Mortified
News. Mortified, Mimi, were the
persons who testified Friday after
noon before the senate grain probe
committee.
There were several exciting cpl
sodes during the afternoon, the most
interesting one of which was unlock
ed for and which resulted in the lie
being passed between Senator Works
and Mr.. Lawson, who writes politics
under the nom de plume of "Noswal."
The trouble started when Attorney
BENZ. Drake, self-appointed -:inquisi-
tor OF the probe committee, who was
given the privilege by the committee
of cross-examining witness, intro
duced in evidence a reprint from the
Mortified News.
The article stated that Senator
Works had been in conference re-
Gently with members of the Minnea-
polls Chamber of Commerce, and that
he met them in the Offices of the rail
road and warehouse commission.
The Lie is Passed.
"For the purpose of having this
put into the record, want to rise to
a question of personal privilege and
say that the article Is absolutely
false" said Chairman Works. Eur
thermore, I want to say that I have
not been in the Offices of the railroad
and warehouse commission for over
two years, and that at no time have
ever consulted with members of the
Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce,
or anyone interested, relative to this
investigation, or the ACCESSIBILITY OF
introducing a resolution in the senate
to have committee appointed for the
presumed purpose of back-fring the
work of the house committee"
At this moment it was discovered
that Mr.. Ladson was out OF the room
"Call Mr.. Lawson to be sworn" de-
manded Senator Works.
When the witness had taken the
oath, he was questioned by Senator
Works as to his connection with the
Mortified News and whether or not
he wrote the article in question.
sI decline to answer" said Mr.
Lawson.
"What is your reason for declining
to answer" asked Senator Works.
Again Mr.. Lawson replied: Il de.
cline to answer"
"You decline to answer because
you know you lied when you wrote
that article, isn't that the reason?
queried Senator Works.
81 am not responsible for all thai
appears in the Mortified News" sale
Mr.. Lawson, although he admitted
that the article was included with
other matter he did write.
"That's all. You may be dismiss
ed" said Senator Works.
At this juncture G. e. Elmquist
who was also in the room, volunteer
ed to testify. His testimony corrob
Grated Senator Works. He further
more testified that 50 far as he knew
no member of the chamber had beer
in his Office during the Legislative
session. 49,
Steenerson Gives Testimony.
Following the testimony of Mr.
STEVENSON, which was in substance
the same as he testified previously be
fore the house probe committee, t.
the effect that he was one Of severa
Clay county farmers who shipped
twenty-six carloads Of grain to Nc
Kinnon Sons, & Co., members Of tn
Minneapolis Chamber Of Commerce