The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-10-16
La TOILETTE
ASKS LIST
Of Of CHARGES CHA
Wants Accusations Laid Before
Him and Accusers Summoned
to Appear
CHALLENGES COMMITTEE
TO POINT OUT ERRORS
Declares Everything He Said in
St. Paul Address Was the
Truth

washington, D. G., Oct. 16.-Whe
the senate committee, investigatin
Senator La Follette's much discusse
St. Paul speech, began it's first hear
ing today, Senator La Toilette present
ed formal demand that the commit
. tee submit a formal copy of tn,
charges against him and that he b,
permitted to summon and cross ex
| anime witnesses. This delayed tn,
start of the proceeding as the com
mittee went into executive session tt
consider the demand.
Senator La Toilette presented hi:
demand in a letter which declared
every statement in his st. Paul speech
was correct. The committee has said
it does not question the accuracy Of
his speech and Senator La Toilette de-
mands to know who does
II appear here to submit in the
form of a letter all the statements
deem necessary to make at this time,
he said.
"You say in your letter." wrote Sen
ator La Toilette. that the question
and the only question you are now
considering, since have furnished
you with copy of the speech is the
accuracy of the statements contained
in the speech
Scores 1T Statements.
'"The speeefiS contains scores oi
statements relating to a variety OF
subjects. You say the committee has
challenged the accuracy of no state
ments in the speech. Then must be
entitled to know who has challenged
the accuracy of any statements in the
speech before another step is taken
in this proceeding.
1.-THE resolution of the Minnesota
commission of public safety, upon
which you assert you are acting, does
not challenge the accuracy of any
statements made in the speech. If
any statement has Eeen so challenged
by any one, l now request you to
advise me by whom it has been chal-
lenged and upon what evidence.
Protests Against Procedure.
IF there is any truth in the news
paper reports that your committee
expects to accept mere statements of
individuals as a basis for any report
of the committee, or as a basis for
any action by you, protest against
such ex-parte proceeding, or any 9TH
or ex-parte proceeding in this inves-
tigation. If, however, in spite of my
protest, you determine to accept such
statements, demand that those state
ments be submitted to me or that |
be given an opportunity at a suitable
time and place to examine them and
have full opportunity to file state
ments in reply, if l desire to do so.
Violation of Rights.
But ! assert such course on the
part of the subcommittee Is in viola
tion of the we'll established right ac'
corded to every man whose words or
acts are the subject OF investigation
by anybody or tribunal, and l insist
upon my right to meet face to face
and question any witnesses that may
be called to challenge the correctness
of my statement made by me and
thereafter, and not before, to produce
in nv own defense such witnesses
and evidence as l deem necessary or
proper to controvert all such adverse
evidence as may have been offered.
81 repeat what l have already said
in this and previous letters addressed
to your committee, that am most
anxious and desirous that the investi-
CATION be made thorough and complete
to the end that it shall do justice to
all participants and shall constitute
an honorable precedence whenever so
grave matter as the proposed ex-
pulsion of one of it's members shall
come before the United States SEN
ate"
When adjournment was taken after
the executive session, Chairman Pom
creme announced because of Senator
La Follette's refusal to furnish other
information. the committee would en-
deavor to get it from other sources.
Asked if arrangements had been made
to hold hearings, the Ohio senator re-
plied that none had been made.