The Washington times., 1917-01-12
BITTER DEBATE
OYER LEAK PROBE
Solid Party Alignment In House
as Fight Over Wood Reso-
luton Opens.
(continued from First PaEe.)

ly came to the conclusion-because OF
the action OF the maJority-that there
was something to investigate. The
action of the majority has been such
that / have been compelled to con.
clude that q member Of Congress did
say something to Mr.. Lawson, and
that that member sits on the Demo-
cratic side. There can be no other.
construction of the attempt to stifle
this inquiry at this point"
ssame Position n Lawson"
Name the member Of Congress on
this side" demanded Congressman
Booher Of Missouri.
II do not know his name: Mr.. Law
son has promised to give IT," said
Lenroot.
You are in the same position as
Lawson" said Booher.
Denying charges that politics actu-
ated the Republicans, Mr.. Lenroot
read an editorial from the New York
World, described by him as "the lead
ing supporter of the Administration"
saying the Lawson episode had
brought Congress into contempt and
there should be further action.
Congressman Wood, author Of the
AOoOANNtOh VI AhN0bNtBA bAlQ Is
generally believed throughout this
country there is something wrong: II
wrong, Il should be ascertained."
Promised Names.
Mr. Wood asked II such charges as
lawson had made against Congress
"are to be regarded as inconsequen-
tial By this body"
"Lawson has promised to reveal
names to special investigating COM
mittee," said Wood. "We cannot alb
solve ourselves of responsibility by
saying that we have no faith In this
man. II we take the proposed course
II will confirm public belief that some
thing Is wrong. There are ten mem
bers Of the Cabinet. ninety-six mem
bers Of the Senate, and 425 members
Of the House. Suspicion may be d.
rected at any one OF them under the |,
Lawson charges II they are dropped |
here. This is not time for q white |
wash.
Attacks Republicans.
Congressman Harrison bitterly at |
tackled the Republicans because OF !
their alleged little partissnship in
this matter" He criticised Mr.. Wood
for dragging in the names of promi-
nent men ION q measly anonymous 4
letter signed by some "A Curtis
mind you, the Curtis letter was re-
ceived after the resolution was intro
duced by Mr.. Wood" said Harrison. |
The second resolution quotes the
words of this irresponsible, frenzied
Thomas w. Lawson, who
says Congress has been wallowing in
graft for forty years"
You Republicans are being hluffed by
this Lawson" shouted Mr.. Harrison
You let him sit in q hotel In this city |
md dictate page advertisements and
hen you come here and attempt to play
mean, nasty politics. thinking you may
oeneft by IT, ! thought this sort Of
hing had stopped with the November
elections, but you have started again"
Calls For Apology.
CONGRESSMAN Harrison declared that
Mr.. Wood owes q public apology to
Secretary Tumlty, Barney Baruch, Otto
Kahn. Secretary Lansing and others
Who have been dragged into this af-
air because of the measley A Curtis
etter."
Congress Bennett Of New York was
oudly applaudsd by the Republicans
When he said:
ION yesterday the managing editor
Il the Wall Street Journal told the
committee that the Teak was in Wall
street long before Mr.. Lansing had
lis newspaper conference on the morn
nE Of December 20. 1t came from pri-
ate brokers' wires from Washington.
md as soon as the Democrats Of the
committee heard this they moved to
lose the investigation"
Already Has One Name.
Discussing the testimony Of Man
Lging Editor Reilly, Of the Wall
street Journal. that private wires
rom Washington brought news of the
Iote to Wall Street on the morning
4 December 20. Mr.. Campbell said
he committee already had the name
( one firm who had q private wire to
few York;. A. Connolly & Co.
This is the brokerage firm with
Which r. W. Boiling is connected. but ,
Ir. Boiling said his firm knew moth ,
nE OF the leak" and did simply a
rokeraEe business, without speculat-
ng for itself. ,
Officials Under Suspicion. l.
Continuing Mr.. Campbell said:
"OfficIals of the Government are :
nder suspicion. An investigation '
hould be had that will purge the ]
Of that suspicion, no mat I
er who II hits. II
1T Is important to the people that
ublic questions should not be so =