The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-18
CONGRESS EMPOWERS THE LEAK"
COMMITTEE To EMPLOY COUNSEL
WILL RECESS FOR
A COUPLE OF DAYS
To Give Counsel Opportunity
to Look Into Situation
None Yet Chosen.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. II
Empowered to employ counsel and ex-
pert stock exchange accountants, and
given thirty days longer to report. the
House rules committee to-day tempo
rarily halted its peace note leak hear
inSs to consider what lawyer shall be
sought to direct the broadening lnqul-
ry. It was announced that there
would be no public session tomorrow,
and probably no other testimony will
be heard until the new plans have
been perfected and counsel familiar
lied with the situation.
In the meantime the prominent
fnanciers and bankers summoned as
witnesses probably will be permitted
to return home to await further CALL
A score or more of witnesses and the
usual throng Of spectators were in the
committee room this morning when
word came that there, would be no
hearing to-day, while. the committee
sought further powers from the House.
Action by the House in granting
counsel followed statements on the
floor By. Democratic members. OF the
committee that they already were en-
barrassed as investigators in view OF
the dragging in Of names OF hlgn gov
ernment officials. Representative Gar
rett, speaking for the committee. an
nounced that, for this reason, the COM
mittee henceforth would assume ju-
dicial attitude, with special counsel
TO direct the investigation and to in
terrogate witnesses.
Deliberations in the House and in
the committee were conducted in the
. absence Of Chairman Henry. whose
reracity' regarding the confidential
conference with Thomas ". Lawson
was challenged yesterday by the Bos-
ton fnancier.
Representative Pou acted as chair
man
During the debate in the House.
both Democratic and Republican mem
bers Of the committee asserted their
faith in Mr.. Henry. They denied that
the chairman would withdraw from
the inquiry, when Representative Rea,
Wis, Of Nebraska, asked if Henry would
weigh the testimony Of the witness
Lawson"
The problem Of choosing competent
counsel satisfactory to Democrats and
Republicans admittedly is difficult. In
a late afternoon meeting Of the COM
mittee the names Of several proml-
neut attorneys were suggested. but no
conclusion was reached. Tonight the
majority members again undertook
consideration Of the matter and ar
ranged to notify the Republicans when
they were ready to submit name
There was an hours discussion ID
the House when the committee pre-
sented the resolution providing for the
employment Of counsel and extension
OF time. Representative Howard oil
Georgia promptly opposed the plan
saving he understood Samuel Inter
myer Of New York was to be retal7eG.
Representative Moore OF Pennsylvania
suggested the name Of Charles Evans
Hughes,
Gross improperly.
81 am convinced" said Republican
Leader Mann, that the employment
Of either Samuel Untermyer or Mr..
Hughes would be an act Of such gross
improperly that it would not be con-
sidered for a moment by the COM
mittee.
There ought to be a thorough In
vestigatIon. If men are proved guilty,
they should suffer. 1t is due the honor
Of This country and If they are inno-
cent, they should be proved innocent.
Personally I believe that no men in
high official place will be found to pc
guilty of this thing which would be
an act Of treason to the country"
Representative Focht Of Pennsyl-
vanla, Republican, assailed the inquiry
as q Colossal farce" denounced Law
son as a Wall Street tout and deciar-
ed Congress ought to wash its hands
Of the whole affair and throw out the
evidence as worthless damaged goods.
Representative Lenroot Of Wlscon-
sin, a Republican member Of the COM