The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-25
Custodian Alien Enemy Prop
erty Also son the Carpet"
Palmer Unduly Extravagant,
Said To Be the Charge.
spy EVIDENCE NOT USED?
Investigate Expense Accounts
of Dollar a Year Attorneys.
Three of Pershing's Generals
To Testify Tomorrow.

Washington. Dec 25.-Congres-
sionaI probing will strike at least two
more departments, according to
Christmas forecast of senatorial lead
ers today
One of these inquiries will be di-
rected into the work of Alien Prop
erty Custodian A. Mitchell Palmer and
the other into the justice department..
While these Investigations are ap-
preached in the same spirit as the
other four inquiries under way or
pending under the capitol dome.
nevertheless there is some dissatisfac-
ton with the "extrava gance" of the
Palmer regime. Questions will be
asked as to the gorgeous office furni-
ture'' in the magnificent structure on
Sixteenth street that Palmer has taken
for an office building. Senators also
wish to inquire into the expense ae-
counts of some of the dollar year.
attorneys in the department
Probe of SIeuths Secret.
The justice department quiz will be
confidential, if it is made. Some MEM
bers of congress have received com
plants that the department has not
acted on evidence presented to it con-
Meeting men and women with the Ger
man spy system in this country.
Meanwhile the Investigations al
ready under way will get going again
tomorrow.
The senate military investigators
plan to learn from three major gen.
erals just what conditions are in
France. The three generals VINO
recently returned after inspecting
General Pershing's force, will be asked
to, tell how well the Americans are
equipped. and whether there are any
inefficiencies in the overseas service
charged with keeping them supplied
| with food, clothing. guns and anmuni-
| ton.
Following the major generals. Quar-
termaster General Sharpe will contin-
ue his testimony regarding the sup
plying of men with clothing.
Into Coal Shortage.
The Reed committee will begin its
investigation of the coal shortage by
questioning Clifford Thorne of Iowa
regarding transportation conditions
and other angles of the situation. Fri
day the committee will return for a
time to it's sugar quiz, by hearing Her
bert Hoover, food administrator.
Hoover plans to present the statement
he was denied permission to put into
the record last Saturday.
The commerce committee inveSti-
eating shipping has not decided who
it will hear. Representatives of the
southern Pine association may ask to
be heard on the allegation that the as
sociation did not supply the sort of
timber wanted in southern ship yards
and so delayed the wooden ship pro-
gram. Association representatives
! said today they had supplied plenty of
timber but that they did not have the
kind needed and that the Emergency
Fleet corporation know this when it
contracted for the lumber.
/ Affected by NewIands's Death.
Investigation of the railroad situa-
/ tion seemed today to be awaiting a.
signal from the White House. The
president is believed to have some
plans of his own with which the in
Vestlgatlon might interfere. This.
however is entirely in the air as a
result sof Chairman NewIands's st,r-
den death last night