The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-18
MEMBERS ENGAGE
IN SHARP DEBATE
Acrimonious Words Between
Democrat and Republican on
Investigation Committee.
NO LIMIT PUT TO EVIDENCE
Hcarsay Testimony by Striking
Miners Admitted on Chair
mans Ruling. y

Hancock Mich, February 17.-Chair-
man Taylor, Democrat. to-day re-
fused to entertain tho motion OF Rep
hearsay testimony presented by strik-
ing miners regarding alleged viola
ti5ns of constitutional rights Of, citi-
zens be expunged from the record.
Debate on the question grew acri-
monious Mr.. Taylor charged that Mr..
Switzer was attempting to discredit the
work of the committee by taking tho
position that 1t had no authority to
make Il full Investigation.
You can object as much as you
please Mr.. Taylor exclaimed. but If
you object TO an investigation OF the
conditions here. you ought not TO be on
this committee"
AR. Swi,Zer denied he objected to
an investigation, but he insisted that
limit should be fixed, SO that every
thing offered would not be admitted
into the record.
LAS chairman Of this committee rep
reseniing the Democratic majority in
the House Mr.. Taylor said, II Will
say that anything that goes into the
record Will go back to Congress. We
were sent here to investigate condi-
tions. with a view of providing rem edial
legislation. and If we cut out anything
that might throw light on the situa-
u.
DO / understand you to say that
this la a partisan committee and that
this Is q partisan Investigations" In
quired Representative Howell, the 9TH
er Republican member.
Investigation Not Partisan.
NO." the chairman replied, but
when n minority member tries to dis
credit the committee by saying 1t is
exceeding It's proper limits. 1t is time
for the majority to take decisive ac-
ton"
MIR Howell said the experience OF
centuries had shown that the rules of
evidence afford the best means OF con-
Quoting an investigation of this char
acter.
Mr.. switzer has n right to ask to
have anything stricken out" Mr. Tay-
Tor. said, and his objection will APP
pear in the record"
Should II not be stricken out be-
cause / ask it," Mr.. Switzer asked
No was the reply.
The discussion arose while Waino
Wyreno. Il striker. was giving testi-
mony as TO raid in which members
of Citizens Alliance" acting as n
sherin's posse, raided tho Western
Federation OF Miners headquarters at
South Range, following the shooting
of deputy sheriff who had been
searching 1t for arms. The witness
said he was beaten by a man, described
by others as deputy sheriff Mr.
SwitZer asked that this testimony be
stricken out because the witness per-
sonally did not know his assaiIant was
a deputy.
Allan +. Reese. a mining company
attorney, said assaults and violations
OF personal rights were in the pro.
vince OF the States and that the Federal
authorities had no Jurisdiction
DO you think IL we find that for a
period of six months" Mr.. Taylor ask
ed. a condition OF outlawrv has existed
here and we discover that there has
been violation of individual rights.
we cannot report il 10 Congress-"
Yes" Mr. Reese replied. "if there has
been no specific violation of the Con-
stitution or Federal statutes"
Rights OF Committee.
MI. Howell remarked that counsel
seemed 10 agree that the committee had
authority TO investigate the Industrial
situation here, and he asked II it was
not important to Congress to know
something about the administration OF
Justice.
Mr.. Reese said he was not prepared to
argue the point. but he thought Con
gress should be informed on this sub
ject through the Federal courts.
Former Congressman Victor Berger,
of Milwaukee, to-day appeared before
the committee rs a member OF the ex-
ecutivc committee OF the Socialist party
and denied that socialism was respon-
sible for the strike.