Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-14
CHOICE Of OFFICIALS
DELAYED BY CHARGES
Accusation Against Carl A.
LoeffIer Under Investiga-
ton by Senate.

The investigation of the charge made in
the Senate yesterday against Carl A.
1Oeffier to the effect that he was re-
sponsible for the disappearance of the
Holtzclaw certificate of deposit during
the Lorimer trial. was begun by the SEN
ate committee on privileges and elections
at o'clock this afternoon. Both Mr..
Loeffler. acting assistant doorkeeper of
the Senate, and his accuser. w. ". Har-
rison. a Senate page, We're called before
the committee.
This echo of the Lorimer case developed
yesterday afternoon during the election
of officers of the Senate. Senator Gore of
Oklahoma stated that charge had been
made to him to the effect that Carl A.
1.oeff1er, then assistant doorkeeper OF the
Senate, had been responsible Tor the aus.
appearance of the HoltZclaw certificate of
deposit presented during the Lorimer trial
in the Senate and which mysteriously
: vanished.
Quotes Boys Statement.
Mr. Gore based his statement upon the
word of fourteen-year-old page. He
said that this page had come to him and
told him that Mr.. Loeffler had taken the
certificate from the pages hand and that
he (the page had never seen it again.
The page In question, W. W. Harrison.
is now employed at the telephone in the
Senate.
Senator Gore brought up this charge as
the Senate was about to choose Mr. Loef-
fer to be acting assistant doorkeeper,
upon the recommendation of the minor
ity members of that body. Senator Kern
had presented a resolution providing that
the Senate should proceed with the cleo
ton of a secretary. chaplain, sergeant-at-
arms, assistant doorkeeper and acting as
sistant doorkeeper. Mr.. Gore moved to
amend the resolution by emitting the
acting doorkeeper when he learned that
Mr.. Loeffier had been nominated.
After debate and several roll calls, TAX
ing up nearly an hour, Mr.. Loeff1er was
elected acting assistant doorkeeper by a
large majority. The Senate then adopt
Cd resolution providing for an 1nvesti-
cation of the charge against Mr.. Loeffier
by the committee on privileges and cleo
tons.
Defended by Senators.
Many of the senators. both on the re-
publican and democratic sides of the
chamber rallied to the support of Mr..
Loefler, pointing out the fine record
which he has made during his eighteen
years. service in the Senate, among them
being Senators Gallinger. Bacon. Lodge,
Root and Townsend. Mr.. Townsend de-
clared that Mr.. Gore had been distinctly
unfair in making his charge. Mr.. Gore
had previously admitted that she had
been told by the page of the charge
against Mr.. Loeff1er at the time of the
second Lorimer trial.
During all the time from then until
now this man, Mr.. Loeffier, has been
serving as an officer of the Senate said
Mr.. Townsend AT that time the in
formation was fresh; the facts were
clearly before the gentlemen who pos
sessed them, IL they were facts. and they
should have been presented to the Sem
ate at that time"
The other officers Of the Senate were
elected without debate. Senator James
r. Clarke of Arkansas was chosen Presi-
dent pro tempore by vote of sS.,to Is
for Senator Galiinger, one for Senator
/. Bristow, one for Senator Clapp and one
for Senator La Toilette. James NJ. Baker
VI South Carolina was elected secretary
VI the Senate. Charles Z. Higgins of
Missouri. sergeant-at-arms; Rev. Forest
j. Prettyman, chaplain, and Thomas w.
: Keller of West Virginia, assistant door
keeper.