The log cabin Democrat., 1917-02-26
COMMITTEE OPENS
 BRIBERY INQUIRY 2 SENATOR'S UNDER FIRE City Detectives Who Assisted in the Arrest of Senators Burgess and
 Sims Give Testimony.
Special to the Log Cabin Democrat.


 Little Rock, Feb. 26.-A resolution introduced in the senate this morn ing by Senator w. c. Adamson of Pulaski county, asking that the charges of bribery lodged against Senators l. c. Burgess of Pope and s. c. Sims of Prairie be investigated by the upper branch of the legisla- ture, passed without a dissenting vote.
 A committee composed of Senators Adamson, Kendall and Garrett was appointed to make the investigation, and to report not later than March ?.
 Should the Investigating committee recommend that the charges against Senators Burgess and Sims, who were arrested Friday night, are sufficient for their expulsion, this probably will be done, it is said. The senate can expel member by two-thirds vote, without impeachment proceedings, which must be instituted by the house. The arrest of members of the legislature, or their indictment, does not automatically prevent their sit ting in the assembly unless they are expelled or impeached.
 It is charged alos that other mem bers of the legislature have been guilty of bribery, and these charges also will be investigated.
 The Investigating committee began it's work in the presidents chamber shortly before noon today, hearing the testimony of the city detectives who assisted in the arrest of Senators Burgess and Sims. Senator Burgess appeared before the committee under summons, taking his customary seat Later he was called into the lobby by President Davenport, who requested that he remain outside the chamber while the charges are pending. Sen ator Burgess has authorized a request for leave of absence during the in- vestigation. Senator Sims probably will take the same course, it is be- lieved
 Neither senator appeared in the corut of Justice Frank Martin when the cases were called this morning, the cases being passed by common consent because of grand jury in, vestigation which has been called
 Upon motion of Senator Ponder, the senate today voted to reconsider the vote by which the Burgess bill, regulating the operation of passenger trains between Little Rock and Fort Smith, was passed. This was done because othe rsenators from districts affected were not present when the bill was passed.
 That John E. McGarvey, supposed representative of Eastern trading stamp firms, alleged to have biven bribes to Senators l. c. Burgess and s. c. Sims, is a special investigator of the w. J. Burns, Detective Agency, employed with other detectives, to run down alleged graft in the legis- lature, was announced yesterday by Prosecuting Attorney M E. Duna- way. The developments leading to the arrest Friday night of Senators Burgess and Sims were part of the plan prepared by the officers to ob- tain evidence, MT. Dunaway said.
 According to MT. Dunaway, the de- tectives were employed several weeks ago. McGarvey came to Little Rock, became acquainted with certain sen- ators, and told them he represented Eastern corporations affected by bills introduced in the legislature. He told the senators, it is said, that the rep resented interests directly concerned with bills introduced by Senator Bur gess prohibiting and taxing the use of trading stamps, and that he was in Arkansas to try to defeat the bills. The two bills regarding trading stamps were pending in the senate.
 The senators are charged with hav- ing solicited bribes from McGarvey and with accepting from him $1,000 each on a promise to kill the bill to tax trading stamps. The officers charge that as an evidence of good faith the senators promised to deliver the original bill to McGarvey at the same time the money was given them. The transaction is alleged to have oc- cured in the rear of the Tunnah & Pittard printing plant early Friday night, immediately preceding the ar rests of the senators and McGarvey. City detectives who made the arrests, say they found the money in marked bills in possession of the senators and the original trading stamp bill (No. 302) in McGarvey's possession and that there were witnesses to the finding of the money and bills. The money and bill are held by the officers as evidence.
 The Greenhouse bill, requiring the registration of lobbyists, was passed this morning.