The Washington times., 1917-01-13
FULLPOWERS GIVEN
FOR LAWSON PROBE
House Unanimously Votes Right
to Committee to Make
Financier Answer.
Continued from First Page.)

or either Of them.
To Consider Resolution 40.
Not only is the Rules Committee to
take up the second Wood resolution.
No. 429, which specifically mentioned
the Lawson charges, but 1t is now to
consider the once discarded resolu-
tion No. 420. which demanded an in
quiry to ascertain II there was a
Teak" and II any oicial OF the Gov
ernment had a part therein.
Congressman Garrett told the
House that he believed these resolu- |
tions were inspired by partisan mo-
tives, but since the House had shown |
yesterday that 1t desired to pursue
the investigation, he, as q member OF
the Rules Committee, will lattempt to |
carry out the mandate OF the House. |
Adoption OF the resolutions, he said, |
was necessary. for one reason, to
reach a parliamentary stage whereby |
the House may deal with Mr.. Lawson.
Point Too Technical.
Congressman Moon of. Tennessee
suggested that the House ought TO
specify that Lawson is compelled TO
answer questions that are lawfully
relevant" to the inquiry. Mr.. Moon
argued that the committee might ask
questions invading Mr.. Lawson's con-
stitutional rights as a witness. The
House, however, seemed to think the
point too technical, and that the reso-
lutions as drawn covered the ground.
In presenting the resolutions,
Chairman Henry said the Rules Com
mittee expected to have Mr.. Lawson
before 1t on Monday. Mr.. Lawson
has returned to New York, but a tele-
gram was sent today summoning him
back to Washington.
Renewed vIser.
Adoption of The resolutions in the
House today means that the leak"
inquiry will be taken with renewed
vigor. Not only. Is II the purpose of
the Rules Committee to hear Lawson,
but additional witnesses are to be
called.
Democratic members Of the committee
today informed the minority members
that the investigation would be thrown
wide open and subpoenas would be
issued for any persons wanted by the
minority, who have accused the Demo-
Gratis OF attempting to stifie the inquiry.
Prospective witnesses.
The list of prospective witnesses
at the resumed inquiry includes:
Employees of the State Department
who handled the Presidents peace
note to the belligerent powers.
Employs of the Government Print
ing Office who put the note into type.
Representatives of McKennon &
Company, Chicago brokers, and pos
sibly representatives OF brokerage
firms in Washington with private
wires to New York.
Members of the firm of F. n. Lock-
wood & Co.. OF New York. previously
notified to preserve all records.
Donald Macdonald, a Boston news
paper man. said to be an acquaintance
of Thomas W. Lawson.
Action Comes Quickly. {
Adoption of the resolutions report
ed by the Rules Committee today.
which followed the big verbal battle I
in the House yesterday. was quickly I
brought about. Debate on the Post 4
office bill was interrupted for the &
of the resolutions. and
the House acted on both within five
minutes.
Chairman Henry said IL Mr.. Law
son again refuses to answer Ques- {
tions, the Rules Committee will report
that fact to the House so the lower
branch of Congress may proceed
against Lawson for contempt.
Rejected Recommendation.
The House voted late yesterday re-
jecting the Recommendation of the
Rules Committee to table the Wood 5
resolution of inquiry. Instead. the I
House directed the Rules Committee {
must resume the inquiry and submit
in writing to Mr.. Lawson questions I
he refused to answer when he was I
before the committee a few days ago. ,
Congressman CantrilI, OF Kentucky, I
a Democratic member of the commit 7
tee, made a stirring speech which {
insured the defeat of the motion to
table the Wood resolution and check
the "leak" inquiry.
Demanded withdrawal.
He demanded that the motion to
table be withdrawn and that the Rules
Committee ask for additional author
ity. Chairman Henry, seeing that the I
motion to table was about to be
defeated, suggested that Mr.. CantriI
submit a request that the Wood reso-
luton be sent back to the Rules Com
mittee.
you submit the request; you are
said CantriH.
Chairman Henry Immediately sub
mitted the request. The minority
leader, Mr.. Mann, and other experts
on procedure, suggested that the sit
uation should be met by a formal
carefully prepared by the ,
Rules Committee, in order that there
might be no doubt of the power OF
the committee in it's second cxamina-
ton OF the recalcitrant witness.
The House, therefore, referred the
Wood resolution back to the COM
mittee with the understanding the {
Rules Committee will draw up a reso- '
luton giving it whatever authority {
may be needed to compel the testi- :
mony Of Mr.. Lawson.
This action was tantamount to a !
reopening OF the investigation. II
Mr.. Lawson supplies the promised
of a Cabinet officer,
A banker, and the member of Con- =
Eress who mentioned the two former
in conversation with Mr..
Lawson--a general investigation may $
be ordered. II M. Lawson refused I
TO give names il is practically certain I
ne will be cited for contempt Of the l
House.
StiII Has n LOophole.
Mr.. Lawson still has a loophole. +