Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-09-21
Congress Astonished at Ian
sings Spectacular An
nouncement and Proposes
an Immediate" Inquiry.
P o W erful Organization,
Plentifully Supplied With
Money, at Command of
German Ambassador to
Keep America Out Of War.

Washington, Sept. 21.-Determina-
tion to unearth the Organization"
through which Former Ambassador
Won Bernstorff worked in his efforts
to prevent war. developed in congress
today. House and senate leaders, as
tonished at the spectacular announce
ment of Secretary Lansing, immed-
lately demanded searching inquiry.
That an ganization-powerful and
richly supplied-was at Bernstorffs s
tary Lansing's expose, it was agreed
ION the hill" But it operated without
the legislators knowledge of it's fl
nancial backing. they declared.
EXPENSIVE ORGANIZATION.
"Von Bernstorff had a big organiza-
ton and an expensive one working
on congress- said Representative
Adamson of Georgia. There were not
only telegram sending agencies, but in
Washington hotels, l myself, heard
many be- -jeWeled and be- dizened wo-
men talking peace. l thought at the
vine they were German spies and
later my suspicious were confirmed
The matter should be carefully investi-
gated
There was those whose comments
smacked of fire.
81 have heard said Representative
Heflin of Alabama. that there is a
card gambling room in Washington
| conducted by Germans, where members
of congress in favor Of peace at any
price are extremely lucky when they
| play cards"
CAN PICK OUT THE MEN.
Representative Howard, Georgia
stated: This money was not all used
for kilograms. Some was used direct
| ly and l think L can pick out the mer
who got it. They look Il whole lot
more prosperous than they ever die
before"
| Representative McLemore, Texas
author of several anti-war resolutions
| said: Il never saw the signs of any
such organization at work in the
house. Possibly one of the organiza
tions which bombarded US periodically
with kilograms both for and against
war is meant. Aside from the receipt o.
| kilograms / know nothing that coule
possibly be termed propaganda. M
man representing any organization
ever spoke to me-
KNOWS NOTHING OF IT.
Senator Norris. Nebraska, termed
one Of the "wilful twelve" said he hat
"heard repeatedly that both German.
and England used large sums of none.
in this country. Personally / know
nothing of 1t. No organization I know
Of got any German money or any othe
kind. Assuredly no German none.
was used to influence the members o
congress who were against war;"
Vardaman, Mississippi, another o
the "wilful twelve" said he "neve
talked with anybody in the senate o
out of 1t about a vote against war.
never permit any man to lobby wit
me. nor to discuss public question
with me. Hence I know absolutel
nothing about the use of Germal
money In congress or elsewhere and
can make no comment on the state de
partments statement"
INSULT, SAYS STONE.
Senator Stone: THAT is an insul
to this government. 1t is absolutel
intolerable. Any representative of
foreign government who makes sue
an attempt to interfere with the af
fairs of this government well deserve
to be given his passports"
IT never heard of such a thing" sal
Senator Kirby, nobody ever approach
CONTINUED on Page Two.I