The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-10-06
SENATE TAKES
ACTION In CASE
MIR. LaFOLLETTE
FORMAL INQUIRY INTO WISCON.
SIN SENATOR'S ALLEGED DIS.
LOYAL SPEECH ORDERED nv
COMMITTEE.
BY ASSOCIATED ppEss

! ;, washington, Oct. 5.-A formal nre-
ii-nlnary iy inquiry into the alleged dis
| loyal speech of Senator La Toilette
| OF Wisconsin,, made before the Non,
PARTISAN League at ST. Paul. MINI.
fortnight ago, was ordered TODAY
| py the senate privileges and election
committee.
appointment of subcommittee of
ive members was directed with an
/ thorlty limited, first, to INQUIRE into
sne correctness of Senator La Fol-
iette speech, and second, into the
correctness of his statements made
therein
The limited scope of the inquiry
was regarded as temporary action
upon the numerous petitions pre-
sented to the senate for the Wiscon-
SIN senator's expulsion. The sub-com-
mlttee which probably will be ap-
pointed during the day and will be
headed by Senator Pomerene of Ohio.
was ordered to report at the Decem-
Der session of congress.
The senate committee also took I'D
petitions charging Senator Stone OF
missouri, chairman of the senate for
elgn relations committee, with dis
loyal statements and acts and decided
that the charges made do not war
rant any investigation of the Mis-
souri, senator.
The senate committees decision
was reached after a two hour session
and with speech in the senate by
Senator La Toilette impending. The
Subcommittee was authorized to re-
quest authority to employ stenog-
raphers and make other necessary ex-
penditures, indicating that formal
hearings may be had, with possible
examination of witnesses at st. Paul.
The resolution for authority to
make the subcommittee inquiry and
Tor Its general authority was sched-
ule1 to be brought before the senate
later today and many thought it
would be the basis of sharp debate
IN connection with the proposed
speech of Senator La Toilette replv-
ing to the charges of his critics.
The subcommittee expected to hold |
preliminary meeting later and be- |
gin its inquiry next week. The gem
eral expectation was that public hear |
ings would be held at which Senator |
La Toilette would be given an oppor- |
tunity to be heard.
Senator Pomerene made it plain |
that the subcommittee authority |
limited solely to the ST. Paul speech |
and does not extend to any other |
actions or charges against the Wis |
consin senator.
A letter from Senator Stone de- |
nounclng imputations and reflections |
in the petitions and other communi- |
cations on file was presented to the |
committee and made the basis for its |
action as to him. Senator Stone of |
fered to appear before the committee, |
but it was held that investigation was |
and also that:
"The record discloses that though |
Senator Stone opposed the declara- !
ton of war he has since it was
adopted voted for all such measures |
considered by the senate on which |
record vote was taken"
The report as to Senator Stone was |
drawn by Senator Walsh of Mon
tana.
The committees action. both as to |
Senators La Toilette and Stone was |
No record vote was
taken.
While the course of procedure has |
not been definitely outlined, the sub |
committee proposes to ask Senator |
La Toilette to appear. He will be |
asked whether the copy of the ST. |
Paul speech before the committee i. |
as he delivered it. The sub-commit- |
tee also proposes to call former Sec |
retary of State William J. Bryan to |
question him on Senator La Follette's
statement that Mr.. Bryan several |