Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-13
Threaten Contempt Charges

If Lawson again refuses 70 name
the congressman and the trio involved
in his story as it is generally believed
he Will, the committee then viii re-
rort him either to the House or the
district court on contempt charges.
Bitter Debate
This plan was agreed upon by the
committee today after an acrimonious
debate between Democrats and tcpuh-
leans on the floor of the House had M
set the generally accepted idea that
agitation over rumors of Leak ia
advance of President Wilson'S peac"
note was about to subsidc. During tho
discussion Republicans charged that
the Democrats were shutting off the
inquiry because they were afraid of ~
while the Democrats insisted tina. their
opponents were playing partisan poll
tics.
Cantrill's Proposition
When the House had talked for two
hours and was about 70 vote on tho
committees report. Rep CuHtriil ~
Kentucky, n Democratic member ~
the committee. who had not Joined IN
the debate, made = proposition that
changed the whole situation. Let tho
committee he instructed h" said. TO
bring Thomas w. Lawson before e
and submit to him in writing the ques-
ton he refuses to answer. II he docs
not answer. then let Lawson he cited
before the bar OF this House and de-
termine whether Thomas ". Lawson
has more power than the American
Congress"
Everybody was surprised Nv tho sug-
cestion, but in a moment endorse
ments began to come from members on
both sides OF the House. including
Chairman Henry of tho committee.
In the end it was agreed that tho com
mittee should have i've additional daya
in which to report on the Wood priv
legged resolution, a report on which orig
inally was ordered by tomorrow, and Dir,
Henry Immediately called meeting or
his committee for tomorrow morning IN
work out plans for recalling Lawson. The
Wood resolution with amendments or
some substitute to broaden the commit
tees powers probably will be brought
upon Immediately so tho committee can
proceed with its hearing Monday
Republicans Insist
During today's debate the Democratic
insisted that no evidence worthy OF Sc
rious consideration had been produced
and that it was useless to continue con
sideration Of rumors The Republicans.
however, insisted that only a thorough
Investigation would clear Congress ~
damaging reports which have become
current since the leak charges hrst
were brought.
Lawson was assailed IN both sides ~
the House No one went so far as 20 saF
that his charges should be taken serious
". but Republicans continued 70 urEs
that now that he had made them. 10
should be forced to put up or shut var
partisan Purposes"
REPRESENTATIVE Harrison, democrat a'-
cusing the Republicans Of pushing NJ"
inquiry for partisan purposes. assaile1
Representative Wood particularly for IN.
Producing his resolution when he was ~
nossession Of no facts and could produce
nothing more than a "mcasly anonymoua
letter" He said Mr. Wood owed n pub
lie apology TO Secretary Lansing. Secrc-
tary Tumuty. Mr.. Baruch and others Tor
bringing their names into the aTsir
Mr.. Wood replied that he had no apol-
ogy to offer for introducing the resolu-
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