New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-13
CANTRIUL UPSETS
THE STEAM ROLLER
Suggestion by Kentuckian
Blocks Plan TO Shut
Off Investigation
ITrcm The Tdsuns Bureau

speculation through advance informa-
ton Of the Presidents peace note, was
almost ditched in the House OF Repre-
sentatives to-day,
One Of the men who had been counted
on AS an assistant pilot Of the big ma
chine aided in the ditching. He was
Representative Cantrill. OF Kentucky,
third ranking Democrat on the Rules
Committee.
Though relied on confidently by his
colleagues to id them in laying the
Wood resolution proposing an inquiry
on the table, he took the floor in oP-
position, and aroused so much enthu-
siastic support among the Democrats
that Chairman Henry recognized defeat
and surrendered without vote. The
Republicans we're solidly for an inves-
tigation TO give Lawson chance 10
put up or shut up TO use words
frequently used in to-day's debate.
Mr. Cantrill, ina "SubmarmnG the
Administration plan. followed the line
Of his interview IN The Tribune this
morning. that. while the investigation
should never have been started on such
irresponsible testimony as that of Law
son, the necessity for pressing 1t 10 q
conclusion was hundred times greater
now that Lawson had been permitted
10 make his insinustions besmlrchlng
The entire Cabinet and Congress.
Lawson To Get Another Chance
The present situation is that unani-
nous consent has been given by the
81 n,,Io En~1r,F++ra a Get
Mr.. Laws back, PROFOUND TO him m
vritinc, the questions he refused 10
answer when asked this week lu the
hearing. and then. if hc still refuses
10 answer. TO cite him 10 the House
Tor contempt proceedings.
Republican Floor Leader Mann urged
that the committee should be fortified
with special power 10 leave no legal
doubt As 10 its ability to compel Law
son 10 testify. In this he was joined
by Representative Garrett. ranking
Democrat on the Rules Committee.
Actually. unless such q course IL
taken and 2 special committee appoint
cd for the kind OF investigation de-
manded BIZ Mr. Lawson, his pledge 10
Representative Cantrill that he would
tell the name Of the Cabinet member.
the name of the Senator and the name
-.I- l...f... .,.tIr .,.,. h, L-,Jfio Nom
Wv, ,io ~. .l..i ... ,,erferfIv hat
80. Iii H.. limos noycrlcss unless
Mr.. Lawson considers himself bound by
this pledge. as with the present House
expiring on March 4 he can easily pro-
tect himself by habeas corpus proceed
ings from spending more than perhaps
one day in Jail. Furthermore, they be-
lieve that Mr. Lawson would like moth
ny 49, ,- 80 fo,. co,'tor,nt They know
a - '-.yo,,iJ peo.;,. lssI,i,.e, statements from
~ W. - Ill l,a,,o q ,Vo,.sa 81
Sae. $50 tbe co.lutI-y than the men
-. ~ ,,I.,,o.i and. -rgr,o nrovidino. Of
'.ou VI Gu .I,, ,o...r,5 .o,lJ he moved
-. to C. ,....s mentioned
''''' '''' ,,t,
Glass Wants Woo l'npedOHeu
Meanwhile Representative Carter Glass,
If VIRGINIA. close friend Of the family
Of Mrs Woodrow Wilson, whose broth
er's name was dragged into the shair
by Repre- sentative William H.. wood,
Of Indiana I'D ms lesJlnlony ~ s,V
committee, is ora ing an IN ~ 49,
resolution against MI VOu'
Mr.. WOOD mas even re! useI pr III
sion TO see the ehyeIoPe III VI" ci IA
letter from A. GURUS came MI. GiSss
continued. II want TINS IhvesO
carried TO its conclusion ano' II mr
Woods charges are iound oaseIess'
want him impeached. No man should
be allowed TO retain membership IN inc
House who, shielded behind ms Con
stitutional protection from HDeI, MAKES
such damnsble charges against lhho-
cent persons as Mr.. Wood has.
When the House had talked for two
hours and was about to vote on the
comm tees report, Representative Can
trill, who had not joined In the de-
bate. made a proposition that changed
the whole situation.
Let the committee be Instructed, ne
said, 80 bring Thomas W. Lawson be
fore it and submit to him IN writing the
question he refused to answer. IL ne
does not answer then let lawson DC
cited before the bar or TINS u, mouse anu
determine whether ! nomas W; LsWson
has more, power than inc amer ''""
Congress.
Suggestion Wins Endorsement
Fvcrvbodv was surprised by the sug-
,oetion bnf in = moment Endorsements
seS,sD 70 'c come from members on both
sideo Of the House, including Chairman
uen,v Of the committee.