The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-22
NEW CONGRESS WILL
HECKLE PRESIDENT
Senate Chiefly Interested in
Getting Facts About For
eign Relations.
DEFENCE INVESTIGATION

WASHINGTON. Nov. 21.-The Senate's
actlvity in ordering investigations has
apparently not abatcd. The approach
ing session will be characterized in its
early stages by resolutions calling for
Information from official sources and
directing committees to call witnesses
and carry on inquiries.
The Senate lobby COMMITTEES never
has gone out of business. It's chair
mar. Mr.. Overman. said recently that
he had been asked several times about
the status OF the committee and had
replied that II was still ready for busi-
ness whenever any business was sug-
gested.
Two lines Of general inquiry are being
aeitated by Senators coming TO WASH
ington for the session:
To determine whether the munitions
makers have been contributing to the
national defence leagues, and
To look into the foreign relations.
Ex-Secretary Bryan has determined
an investigation of the munitions ques-
ton. He said on his last visit to Wash
ineton that he intended to press on
Congress the necessity of trying to es-
tablish where the money has come from
to promote defence organizations.
Representative Bailey of Pennsyiva-
MIA avs he will ask for an investigation
BY the Senate or House or by n Joint
committee. Senator La Toilette also has
been mentioned as being In quest Of in
formation on this point and Representa-
tivc Lavener of Illinois has been carry
Ing on a propaganda against prepared
ness and attacking the munitions MAX
ers. He will also seek an opportunity
to lay before Congress certain informa-
ton which, he says, will tend to prove
that munitions makers have given aid
to the defence propaganda.
The chief interest In the Senate will
centre IN the proposed inquiries into for
eign relations, one Senator said to-day
that several resolutions will he offered
calling for Information on the foreign
relations.
II was intimated that Senator Lodge
A. ranking member of the minority on
the Foreign Relations Committee would
he likely to take the lead in attacking
the Presidents policies In dealing with
foreign matters, especially in regard to
Mexico.
The Administration can hardly he com
PEELED to send to Congress information
that II deems advisable In the public
interest to withhold. The usual form
Of resolution calling for information
from the President or Secretary OF STATE
contains the saving words III not in
compatible with the public interest," -
- v ~ NC W. 'i'
President and Secretary Of state
whether they will send In information
called for.
The Administration also will he pro-
terted from these partisan drafts for
Information by a ena that will have
. Democratic membership large enough
to make II easily under control by the
President.
There Is curiosity shown by certain
Senators about the alleged conspiracies
TO blow up American factories engaged
In turning out war materials. Some
of the Senators desire more light also
on the reports of activities Of German
spies and to learn just how far the
Government has gone into the matter.
They believe that there Is more infor-
nation in the archives Of the Govern
ment In Washington than has been given
out and want to know about II. As to
some OF these matters, especially the
abuses Of passports. the President and
his advisers may not find II convenient
70 respond to any calls for information.