The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-05
Scope Will Be Limited
Strictly To Accuracy of
Speech At st. Paul
~
SENATOR WILL BE
ASKED TO APPEAR
No Action Will Be Taken
In Regard To Senator
Stone of Missouri
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, Oct. 5.-A formal
preliminary inquiry into the alleged
disloyal speech of Senator La Fol-
lette, Of Wisconsin, made before the
Nonpartisan league, at st. Paul,
Mimi, fortnight ago was ordered
today by the senate privileges and
elections committee.
appointment of a subcommittee
of five members was directed, with
| authority limited first, to inquire into
the correctness OF Senator La Fol-
lette's speech and, second, into the
correctness of his statements made
therein.
The limited scope Of the inquiry
was regarded as temporary action
upon the numerous petitions pre-
sented to the senate for the Wiscon-
sin senator's expulsion. The sub
committee, which probably will be
appointed during the day, and will
be headed by Senator Pomerene, Of
Ohio, was ordered to report at the
December session of congress.
The senate committee took up pc
titions charging Senator Stone, OF
Missouri, chairman of the relations
committee, with disloyal statements
and acts, and decided that the
charges made did not warrant any
Investigation of the Missouri senator.
The senate committees decision
was reached after a two hour ses-
sion and with speech in the senate
by Senator La Toilette impending.
The sub b-committee was authorized
to request authority to employ
stenographers and make other neces-
sary expenditures, indicating that
formal hearings may be held with
possible examination of witnesses at
St Paul. ..,
Ma" Bring Debate. ts
The resolution for authority to
make the subcommittee inquiry and
for its general authority was sche-
duled to be brought before the sem
E.ate Iatsr today and many thought II
would be the basis & sharp debate
in connection with the proposed
speech of Senator La Toilette reply
ing to the charges Of his critics.
The subcommittee expected 70
hold a, preliminary meeting late to-
day and begin its inquiry next week.
The general expectation was that
public hearings would be held at
which Senator La Toilette would be
given an opportunity to be heard.
Senatro Pomerene made 1t plain
that the sub committees authority
is limited solely to the st. Paul speech
and does not extend to any other &C
tions or charges against the Wis
consin senator. .t.-.
A Letter from Senator Stone de-
nouncing imputations and reflections
in the petitions and other communt-
cations on file was presented TO the
committee and made the basis for its
action as TO him. Senator Stone Of
fered to appear before the commit
tee, but it was held that investiga-
ton was unwarranted and also that
the record discloses that, though
Senator Stone opposed the declara-
ton of war, he has since 1t was
adopted, voted for all such measures
considered by the senate on which
a record vote was taken.
The report as to Senator Stone was
drawn by Senator Walsh, Of Mon
The committees action, both as to
Senator La Toilette, and Senator
Stone was unanimous. No record
vote was taken.
Will Summon la Toilette.
While the course of procedure has
not been definitely outlined, the sub
committee proposes to ask Senator
la. Toilette to appear. He will be
asked whether the copy Of the st.
Paul speech before the committee is
as he delivered it. The sub-com-
mittee also proposes to call William
]. Bryan to question him on Senator
Ia. FoIlettes statement that Mr.
Bryan several times urged President
Wilson to prevent the sailing Of the
Lusitania because Ii was alleged an
ammunition cargo was aboard.
All committee members emphasize
ed that the scope of inquiry ordered
is extremely limited-soleiy to the
accuracy Of Senator La Follette's st.
Paul speech and the accuracy OF
statements therein-and is not to
be regarded as a formal inquiry into
anything else.
Senator La Toilette refused TO
comment on the committees action,
but 1t was understood that IL would
not change his plans to make an adj
dress in the senate before adjourn
ment.