New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-12
Propaganda to Troops
Holds Up Personal Mail,
Men Say
Bulletins Waste
Tonnage, Is Charge
Evidence of Conditions Re-
ceived From Soldiers
in the Trenches
[Stof Correspondence


WASHINGTON, April 11.-George
Crecl was to-day the storm centre in
the most bitter partisan wrangle Of
the present session of Congress. For
the first time since the United States
entered the war. the House split
sharply on strictly partisan lines, the
Republicans twice etfectng a majority
vote which finally authorized an in
vestigation of the charge that the Com
mittce on Public Information is ship
ping tons of propaganda overseas to
the soldiers while mail and home
parcels for the soldiers arc compelled
to wait.
Representative Trcadway. of Massa-
chusctts, precipitatcd the days fire
works when he expressed resentment
at a reference to him made by George
Creel charging that che made asser
tons the absolute baselessness Of
which could have been .ascertained by
telephone inquiry" This statement
was incorporated in an official report
to Congress from the Postmaster Gen
eral replying to Representative Tread
ways resolution passed a few days ago
making inquiry regarding the percent
age of Committee on Public Informa-
ton material the mails to France now
carried.
Partisan Division in House
Representative Miller, of Minnesota,
offered a motion that the House de-
cline to receive the Postmaster Cen
erals report, and suggested tina. it be
returned to him for cmendation. Rep
resentative Garrett, of Tennessee,
thercupon moved to table the motion
made by Mr.. Miller. The vote which
followed, on strictly partisan lines,
broke the tie and voted with the ma
jorty.
This, however, did not serve to clear
the situation, for the vote of Repre-
sentative Gallagher, Of Illinois, Demo-
crat, cast with the majority, was chal-
lenged, it being charged that Mr.. Gal
lagher could not vote in that he was
not in the city. Speaker Clark upon in
vestlgation found that Representative
Gallagher was not present in the House
chamber, and the Speaker therefore
was compelled to reverse his former
announcement and declare the motion
to table defeated
Representative Miller then moved
that the entire matter Incorporated in
the Treadway resolution be submitted
TO committee of five members of the
House for investigation. On this vote,
again, with single exception a strictly
party vote. the Republicans led bv a
majority of 175 to 172 This was made
possible through the votes of Repre-
sentative Fuller of Massachusetts. who
had previously voted present, and Rep
resentatlve Humphreys, Democrat, Of
mississippi, who voted with the minor
ity.
Speaker Clark named the following
committee to prosecute the investiga-
tion: Representatives Madden, of r.
i'nols; Mckinley, of Illinois; Caraway,
or Arkansasj Humphreys, Of Missis-
slppl, and Booher, of Missouri.
Men in Trenches Complain
During the course of the debate
Representative Treadway said that he
mad received letters from men in the
service abroad saying that if lack of
tonnage is hampcring Americas full
participation in the war much shin
space could be saved by cutting out
shipment Of the Crcel bulletins. He
severely condemned utilization of shin
space for this purpose at time when
the Postottice Department has stopped
The sending of necessary comforts to
cur boys from their home people,
THAT is evidence from the front,
from a boy in the trenches to-dav."
declared Repre- Treadway, "and
therefore say that Mr.. Crcc impugrs
the motives and statements of mem
her of this House when he uses that
language in reference to the statement
made in connection with this inves-
tipatiOn ="