Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-01-13
LAWSON MUST
TALK DR. WILL
Be IN CON TEMP I.

[Republican A. p. Leased WireJ
WASHINGTON, Jan. .I2.-CIothed
with new powers for forcing a witness
TO testify, the house rules committee
win call Thomas w. Lawson before it
again, probably Monday. and demand
that ne name the congressman, who
he says told him that a cabinet Of
ficer. member of congress and
broker were in a conspiracy to make
money! in the stock market on official
secrets.
If Lawson again refuses TO name
the congressman and the trio involved
in his story, a it is generally be
lieVed he will the committee then will
report him either to the house of the
district court on contempt charges.
This plan was agreed upon by the
committee toda. after an acrimonious
debate between Democrats and Repub-
licans on the foor Of the house had
upset the generally accepted idea that
agitation over rumors of leak in
alVance Of President Wilson's peace
note was about 10 subside. During the
discussion Republicans charged that
tae Democrats were shutting off the
inquiry because they were afraid OF
il, while the Democrats insisted that
their opponents were playing partisan
politics
When the house had caucused for
two nours and was about to vote or
the committee's report, Representative
Cantrill of Kentucky made a PROPOSE
tion that changed the whole situation.
Let the committee be instructed
he said, TO bring Thomas W Lawson
before il and submit TO him in writing
the question he refused to answer. II
ne does not answer. then let Lawson
be cited before the bar of this house
and determine whether Thomas W.
Lawson has more power than the
American congress-
Everybody was surprised by the
suggestion but in moment indorse-
ments began To come from members
Of both sides cf the house. including
Chairman Henry of the committee.
In the end il was agreed that the
committee should have five additional
days n which to report on the Wood
privile ged resolution, report on
which originally was ordered by to-
morrow. and Mr.. Henry Immediately
called a meeting Of his committee for
tomorrow morning 20 work out plans
for recalling lawson. The Wood reso-
luton with amendments or some sub
stitute 20 broaden the committees
powers probably will be brought be-
fore the house tomorrow and acted on
Immediately so the committee car
proceed with its hearing Monday.
During todays debate the Demo
Gratis insisted that no evidence worthy
Of serious consideration had been pro-
duced- and thar it was useless to con-
titue consider;sti ton of rumors The
Republicans acwever. insisted that
only a thorough investigation would
clear congress ~ damaging reports
which have barome current since the
leak charges first were brought
Lawson vas assailed on both sides
Of the house. No one went so far as
to say that his charges should be tax
en seriously. but Republicans contin-
ueo to urge that now that he had
made them he should be forced to
put NJ or shut up
Representative Harrison. Democrat.
accusing the Republicans of pushing
the inquiry for partisan purposes. as
sailed Representative Wood particu-
larry for Introducing his resolution
when he was in possession Of no fac
and could produce nothing more than
a "measiv. anonymous letter. He said
Mr.. Wood owed a public apology TO
Secretary Lansing, Secretary Tumulty.
Mr Baruch and others for bringing
their names into the affair.
Alr. Wood replied that he had no
apology 20 offer for introducing the
resolution and that he thought "a thor
ough inquiry alone would satisfy the
country
Repre- sentative Henry charged that
the republicans in urging the original
Investigation were in IAN Infamous
political conspiracy" against the dem
ocratic administration and the demo-
cratic party. He said aid had been
given Representative Wood by Repre-
sentative Gardner Of Massachusetts.
and that Theodore Roosevelt also had
helped in the efforts TO bring about
the inquiry.
why" asked Mr. Henry. "Bc-
cause the president was seeking 10
bring about peace and these gentle
men were trying TO tie his hands
While insisting there was absolute
lv no evidence back OF anv Of the
charges, Mr.. Henry declared he was
willing that the committee should
summon Mr. Lawson again and said
he was in favor Of putting him in
a common Jail" should he continue 20
DEFY the committee.
Whatever the action Of the house
may be in relation to Mr.. Lawson's
refusal to answer questions most Of
the members concede thar there is
little chance that he will ever suffer
any penalty The power of this con
gress to punish person in contempt
will expire on March 4. and it is
pointed out that Lawson, by suing
FOR writ of habegs corpus. probab-
" could keep his case in courts un-
til after that date.