The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-09
HENRY TURNS DOWN
GARDNER INQUIRY
Enlcs Committee Chairman Re-
fuses Hearing on Defence
investigation.
FLOOR APPEAL TOMORROW

v.,.ut~GroN. Dec. Stalking his cue
,..., President Wilson's message. in which
g., Executive laid the cold hand of
,..,tt' on the Gardnct proposal for the
,...,un ~ special commission to make
a. ..uutrv INTO the national defcnces Re
,,.,r.,tive Henry OF Texas. chairman :
g. House Committee on Rules. addressed
TODAY TO Representative Gardner a letter
g. winch he said the committee could not
o., rs way clear TO give a preliminary
hearing ON the pending resolution.
Nr Henry, vino wrote his letter after a
eo.i.rcu,e with the other Democratic
,,.,,b,rs Of tu, committee informed Mr.
Ctriuer that the Military and Naval COM
,i.tfccs were the proper organizations be-
Zorro which to agitatc an inquiry into the
r,n,rcdncss Of tho United states for war.
rs BE- precisely what President Wilson
tou Mr.. Gardner.
The letter Of Mr.. Henry means that the
u,iS, VII not pass the Gardner reso-
I,t,r proNiding for the creation Of a
rational security commission to inNesti-
s,'. the national defence and report to
congress There may be a compromise on
=, proposition later. but any measure
,r.t !. passed on the subject will be
..rutirized first by the Administration
and fathered by come Administration
spokesman.
CHAIRMAN Hcnrys letter to Mr.. Gard
ne follows.
Further answering your letter OF
December I. allow me 20 say that aft.g
comforting with the majority members oi
the committee they deem il inadvisable &
rant the hearing requested by YOU.
The Committee on Military Affairs and
NaNai Affairs are now In daily session
considering matters pertaining 10 the mill
AIRY and naval strength OF the country
snd il is within their jurisdiction TO de-
term. ne the matters rai Used by your reso
luton and In your lester. The Admins
tra;i,n. as well as the majority members
q tho Rules Committee. have the Creates
confidence in the wisdom and integrity
o. purpose OF those respective committees
and think that your proper forum for .
hearing would be before the regularly con
sttuted committees OF the House. There
10, the Committee on Rules respectfully
declines to grant the hearing requested
IN YOUR letter.
Ecpresenta.lve Gardner will deliver
speech in the House on Thursday in which
r. viii further discuss the national de
fences and assail the attitude toward tn
Proposed inquiry assumed by Presiden
" son. his Administration and the Demo
eia.c party in The House.
Representative Gardner in statemen
In reply To Representative Henry said II
par:
81 have read your letter in which vol
ts' me- that YOU nave decided to refus
NJ hearing on my resolution. You ar
sufficiently familiar with the laws Of tn
House to understand that you cannot TAX
such step without mrs. calling a meet
irg VI your committee. This you have no
done.
80 far as ! know this is the frs
time IN the history OF the United State
that L. member OF Congress has bee
denied a hearing ON his own measure b.
o., committee to which it was referred
Therefore | think II we'll that the name
o. .pu history makers should be EN-
halwei FOR the admiration OF future be
levers in the doctrine of 'pitilcss pub
ncitV'
"F'ieYd Henry. you have been assignee
10 100 mig a task You cannot dam thi
movement"