The sun., 1917-01-18
Sharp Controversy Develops
Over Lawyer and Henry's
Participation.
HEARINGS SUSPENDED
TO GET MORE POWER
Littleton,> Stanchfield and
Whipple Are Mentioned
for Attorney.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE inquiry |
into the alleged leak" Of the Presidents
note to the beligerents took on the as
pect of a broad Congressional investiga-
ton to-day. Suspending its hearings
the Rules Committee for the third time
went TO the House with request for
authority to broaden the field Of its op-
erations and to retain expert advisers to
aid it in the performance of its task.
After another stormy debate a resolu-
ton extending the life Of the investiga-
ton thirty days was adopted without a
dissenting vote. The committee was
elsewhere and to get counsel and expert
accountants. for which it asked.
The selection of legal counsel to con-
duct the cross-examination Of witnesses
and take charge of the work of running
to ground the rumors which have found
utterance before the committee raised a
controversy which for the moment over
shadowed the primary purpose Of the
Investigation itself.
Reports that the majority members OF
the committee purposed to engage the
services Of Samuel Untermyer of New
York. who conducted the "money trust
Investigation, aroused decided opposi-
ton. Even before the adoption OF the
resolution presented by the Rules Com
mittee Representative Hoard (Georgia)
declared that the selection of Mr.. Inter
myer would be unsatisfactory to him.
This opposition was echoed on both sides
OF the chamber. While II was charged
by one member that Lawson was behind
Untermyer. it is understood that, on the
contrary.s Lawson Is now opposed to
untermyer
No Decision on Counsel.
The difficulties confronting the ma
jorty members Of the Rules Committee
In selecting the attorney. who Is to act
as counsel. during the investigation, were
sccentuated by the fact that after two
prolonged conferences no conclusion was
reached The majority members met
soon after the resolution giving then
the additional authority was passed. aRd
late in the afternoon announced to the
minority members that they were unable
to propose a name.
In the evening they again conferred,
and up to a late hour tonight the pros
net of decision appeared remote. One
member of the committee said a number
of names were under consideration
Among these are said to have been Mar
Tin W. Lttleton, John b. Stanchfield and
Sherman L. Whipple.
Some of the majority members, II Is
understood, also adhered to the idea
that Samuel Untermyer should be en-.
eaged despite the hostility that his ap-
pointment would arouse among the Re-
publican members of the committee and
even among the Democrats Of the House
The failure of Representative Henry
chairman of the committee, who Is suf
ferng from the grip, to take part in any
OF the days proceedings was the subjec
OF much comment. The functions of tn,
Craftsmanship were performed by Rep
resentatve Pou of North Carolina. Mr.
Henry also did not participate in the de
uberations of the majority member!
while the selection of counsel was undel
consideration.
Suspension of Hearings.
While the majority of the committe,
wrestled with this question Frank A
Nanderlp Of the National City BANK an,
other bankers who had been summoned
10 Washington cooled their heels await
ing an opportunity to testify. Majorit.
members of the committee intimated to
night that the hearings OF the Rule
committee would not be resumed to
morrow, or until the counsel to be sc
Iected TO conduct the inquiry has ha
opportunity to map out his plan of pro
Cedure.
The announcement of the decision G
the committee to suspend its hearing
temporarily had a discomfiting effect nc
ha x.,itn
ing to be heard but upon the large crow
oi spectators who had gathered in tn
majority caucus room. Some OF ther
mad stood an hour before the doors weT
opened to get a point of vantage froi
which 10 watch the proceedings. Thoma
W. Lawson, on whom the std1m IA
eehtred, was In the witness chair whe
the announcement was made. Mrs. Vii
cont, who now has assumed one of II
leading roles was waiting to be called.
Transferred from the committee roo
10 the floor Of the House the leak inquiI
provided occasion for still another co,
ooyelsy. The gravity of the situate
was accentuated by Representa-,
Mann, the minority leader. and 9TH
speakers. who asserted that not only Il
honor Of the men whose names ha'
been brought into 1t was involved b
the good name of the republic itself.
The propriety of permitting the Rul
I Committee to make the inquiry when Il
conduct OF one Of Its own members 10 !
volved was Questioned by Representa- II
Greene Uowa). Some members describ
the inquiry az n Colossal farce" Othe
insisted that It had reached such q poi
that thorough investigation 10 demo
strstc the truth or falsity, OF the charg
-. was iha only course poasibls. ----...-.-.
The resolution finally agreed upon
the Rules Committee and presented