Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-22

/ masSeu or8anisauon In the DtStrict OF
Columbia to defeat him and others. sup
asserting: This is an attack on the dig
| nifty OF Congress. I am going to do
everything | can to relieve this House
from the pressure of corrupt influences.
burst Of applause followed the re-
| mark as he took his seat
speaker clark ruled the Prouty reso-
| luton In orGer. Representative Fttz-
gerald asked that the resolution be
| vote had already been vociferously
shouted in favor Of the resolution. and
Representative Mann told the District
committee that since that committee
had been besmirched 1t ought not to be
the investigators.
Il should think you would want a
| fair and impartial investigation" he
said.
This House can afford to take SEN
sible view Of this thing" said Repre-.
will go to the rules committee"
The House evidently wanted the Dis
trlct committee to follow its own de-
vices and do its own investigating.
Mr.. Stafford's Reminder.
In the middle of g. vote Representa-
tive Stafford of Wisconsin reminded
the House that the District of Columbia
committee had enough business before
it to last for months to come.
He said the lobby investigation COM
mittee had worked for months on the
Mulhall charges and 1t was wrong, he
said. to delegate the investigation OF
the local newspaper charges to the
District committee.
1.-THE people here expect that some
legislation will come from the District
of Columbia committee, and 1T should
n fprrQttnR
tie newspaper reports"
Representative Howard of Georgia said
that the conduct Of Washington papers IN
the last two weeks had been disgraceful.
He referred to the ''ridicule, criticism and
abuse which. he declared. had been
heaped on the head of Representative
Crisp.
The sting in the newspaper article I'M
der fire had evidently gone home to men,
bers Of the House, for applause followed
every slam on the District
Slap at Leaders of the Gang"
Representative johnson of Kentucky
asked Mr.. Howard if he did not believe
the leaders of this gang are the
very men who stand in the way of d
delegate on the floor of the House"
Il do" said the Georgian, who advo-
Gated that the District committee be
eliminated from the membership of the
investigating committee.
Representative Byrnes Of South Caro-
liam made the remark that the attacks
on members of the House. as printed in
the Times. would be of inestimable
value to man campaigning for re-
election.
Representative Kahn remarked that
Congress was Washington's common
council. and reminded the members that
no city or state ever infringed on the
right of the press.
Does the gentleman think this is an
attempt to terrorize Congress. or an at
tempt by certain congressman to terrorize
newspapers" asked Representative
Mann.
Representative Kahn repeated that the
District committee had no right to inves-
tigate the newspaper charges because the
District committee has an interest In the
matter.
Representative Garner of Texas and
the selecting of a committee by the
Speaker
Representative Montague of Virginia
cautioned that too much haste In this
matter was unwise.
This is an ordinary question of prop
erty and procedure, he said. 81 sub
init that this should be referred to the
rules committee"
Inquiry by Mr.. Underwood.
Representative Underwood reminded
the House that a denial had been
made of the Times allegations Mr..
Underwood wanted to know what was
the use OF an investiga ton in the face
OF an authorized denial Of the publica
TONS
There Is doubt in my mind he said
as TO whether body of -tizens in this
city seeks to intimidate Congress. II
they have they ought to come here ia
the bar of the House to be Disciplined.
But should hate to see the House chas-
ing after a shadow. L don't know how
Tar this thing goes but there's no need
OF naste about It, 1t should be consider
ed with d gnity. as it should treat any
other matter of personal privilege.
would hate to see the House rush head
long into an investigation. | not ONLY
think 1T unwise. but unjustifiabIe, for
newspapers to reflect on the members ~
the House merely because of a difference
OF views. but | do say we must maintain
our own dignity and poise.
Referred to Rules Committee.
The House finally referred the Prouty
investigation resolution to the dulles com.
mittee on a motion Of Representative
Fitzgerald Of New orr, supported by
Democratic Leader Underwood Mr.
Prouty suspected this to be a move for
delay. and Mr.. Fitzgerald denied the in
situation that he had anything to hide,
and tod Mr.. Prouty he was not thin
skinned. Representative Mann of Illinois
said that if anybody made charges
against him he would expect somebdy
else to do the investigating.
Representative Moore of PENNSYLVANIA
said 1t was courageous for members who
avoid taking up any question of in
huencing work by labor unions and
waterways movements to pick on" the
city of Washington, with 100000 popula.
ton without a vote In Congress.
CALLS REPORT FALSE.
Statement in the Times Denied by
w. H. Singleton.