The Washington times., 1913-02-06
PROTEST To BLOCK
REDF|ELD'S VOTE
WILL Be IGNORED
Insurance ProberS Will Probably
Ignore the Request of At
torneys for Companies.


panies that Congressman Redfield be
pchibited from voting upon the report
of the subcommittee of the House Dis
trict Committee which has been con-
Quoting the insurance probe. probably
will be disregarded by the investi-
gators
The committee has taken no formal
action, but the complaint of the First
National and Commercial companies.
alleging that MIR. Redfield has been "a
complaining witness. prosecutor ana
Redfield frc-2 the preparation of the re-
port and from affixing his signature
thereto.
ATTORNEYS for the insurance COM
panies appeared today to resume their
defense of their Clients, but the ora.
arguments went over until tomorrow.
Chairman johnson announced that
Congressman ProIty is III and that NJ.
Redfield has gone out OF the city for
a short time, so Attorney-s Douglas and
CRrusi. for the insurance companies.
and James Easby-Smith for the ST.
perintendeDt of insurance, packed Up
their documents and viii come back to-
morrow.
The first brief filed by the attorneys
is that offered today which contains a
slap at Redfield. one of the members of
the Investigating committee. other
briefs, containing a digest of the tes-
l6htH Rne
examination viii follow but Attorneys
Carusi and Douglas insist that Redfield
should have no part in the investigation
from this time on.
Criticises Others.
The brief directed at Redfield is also
caustic in its criticism of Commissioner
Judson and Edward J. Stellwagen.
The record discloses,'' says the brief,
that this investigation was the per
haps unexpected outgrowth OF a del.b-
crate conspiracy to wreck the defendant
insurance companies by a campaign OF
publicity of such character that, with
out trial or opportunity to be heard
in their own behalf, their credit should
be destroyed. their business ruined, and
their competition removed"
The brief alleges that Commissioner
Judson was unable TO get printed in
Washington newspapers certain ''libe'-
'ous' charges made by the Commissioner
at a board meeting, and that Redfeld
was then consulted with a view to get
ting publicity through his expressions
on the floor of the House, or through
resolution. demanding an investigation
Of the insurance companies.
EIaborates On Charge.
Elaborating upon the charge that
Redfield acted as prosecutor as well as
judge during the pending inquiry. and
that he has championed the cause Of
the "conspirators'' against the compa-
nies, the brief continues:
Counsel respectfully submit that the
antecedent connection of Mr. Redfield
with the common purpose of Colonel
Judson and Mr.. Stellwagen is not within
his privilege either as member Of
Congress nor as member OF this COM
mfttee. and they, therefore. constitute
81. Iii 10
SIT in judgment upon the conduct OF
these companies.
1t Is well within the possibilities that
Mr.. Redfield may be called upon to cast
a deciding vote as 10 whether this COM
mittee shall find or not find from the
evidence sdduced before it, some justi-
fcation for the libelous attack which
Colonel Judson and his associates at
tempted TO publish through the columns
OF the local press. and which have con-
stituted the only formal charges and
specifications of which these companies
were ever apprised or against which
Trey were called upon TO defend them
selves. Under these circumstance, and
without seeking to impugn in any way
the purity OF the motives which may
have actuated Mr.. Redfield in originally
championing their cause. is not the i'm
prOpriety of his sitting in judgment
upon his own conduct too manifest 10
require further argument?'
Say He Showed Favoritism.
Attorneys for the insurance companies
insist that Redfeld, during the investi-
CATION. requested the calling of practi-
calIy every witness who testified for
the prosecution" that he asked lead
ing and Hypothetical questions to cx-
tort from witnesses testimony damag-
ing 10 the insurance companies.
In conclusion the brief. signed by
Douglas and Carusi, saws:
so fully did Mr.. Redfieid assume the
role cf prosecutor. and with such zeal.
that IL was noticed and remarked by
numeroug witnesses, and in some cases
even by members of the committee.
notably Senator GallinRer. in the course
OF his testimony. referred 10 Mr.. Red
field as the attorney for Colonel Jrd-
son trecord. .. 44sl. and on the last day
OF the hearing Representative Berger. Of
the committee, assigned Mr.. Redfie!d
the role of Commemorative Attorney.
1T is respectfully submitted that no
one can read the voiUminous record IN
this case, much less could anyone have
attended in person the session Of this
committee. without being impressed
with the fact that Mr. Redfeld has
assumed the task of making good before
the committee the charges, insinuations
tnnuendoes, and suspicious which had
been voiced in the first days OF the
committee hearings bv Messrs Judson
HIN oAtat" anu Ai4GaA dESDNldNES anu
abettorE.
Cites An Example
For instance. how would II be pos
sible for Mr.. Redfeld 20 give that
weight 10 the testimony of Judge Gould
20 which n the mind Of an impartial
Judge It might be entitled when Judge
GOuld's connection with this company
was the subject matter OF certain rep
resentations by Mr. Redfeld to Mr.
Henry. Of the Rules Committee and %
the Speaker of the House. which, as
Mr.. Henry has testified. constituted one
Of the prime pal grounds upon which
this investigation was ordered at all?
Under these circumstances. and
without In any way desiring TO trespass
upon Mr.. RedfeId's privilege as mem
Der of the House Of Representatives or
Of this committee; or 20 challenge his
legal right 10 report to the sHouse Of
Representa- lives, whose agent he is for
the purpose of an impartial inyestiga-
ton. that ne has made good the charges
for which he has stood sponsor. IL is
again submitted for Mr.. RedfeId's per-
sonsl cons deration that every princi-
pie of justice and fair play require his
refusal m eft I'm iuHpTT1enf y1pop his oxv,,