New-York tribune., 1918-11-19
Inquiry Into Activities With
Brisbane and Propagan-
dists Starts To-day
Six Men Summoned
By Sub-C Committee
Hearst's Editor and Alex
ander Konta to Get
Chance to Testify
Tribune Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-All the
preparations were completed tonight
for the opening tomorrow of the SEN
ate inquiry into the Brisbane Brewers
German propaganda situation, which
men on the inside have predicted will
become one of the most startling ever
held at the capital. Six witnesses
have been subpenaed, and great mass
Of evidence has been gathered and ar
ranged for presentation.
The subcommittee Of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, which will hold
the hearing, has decided to put no
limit to the scope of the inquiry, but
10 follow developments to the utmost.
twill include far more than the single
deal by which group of brewers en-
shled Arthur Brisbane, Hearst's editor,
10 buy "The Washington Times" and
far more than the use of brewers
money in politics.
May Answer Many Questions
The questions to which it may supply
answers are many. Here are a few:
Just how much influence on legisla-
.ion and the administration Of the law
has been bought by the millions the
brewers have spent?
How widely have they succeeded in
perverting public men. writer's, scicn-
tfc experts and labor leaders?
How close was the connection be-
tween the big brewing funds and the
pro-German propaganda in this coun-
Try?
How many newspapers have been
bought up by the combination of these
interests, or by either one of them?
What arc the facts as to Hearst's
purchase O. "The Chicago Herald" of
Brisbane's purchase of "Thc Wash
ington Times" Of Brisbane's purchase
Of two or three Milwaukee papers?
Are any of the big funds Bernstorff
y known to have left behind him to
continue the German warfare on Amer
IA involved in any Of these things?
Brewing Interests Confer
It is not only the government that
ass made careful preparations for the
esse-the men involved on the other
side have had ample notice Of what
vas coming, and have made ready for
II A report reached the Senate sub
committee to-day that there had been
an all-day conference of leaders Of
lae brewing interests in Baltimore, and
mat 1t had included come men who
aaYe not yet been summoned.
among those mentioned as having at
ended we're Robert Craig, the "Dear
noo" Of the Feigenspan correspondence
N the Brisbane deal; Hugh F. Fox. sec
.etary Of the United States Brewers
association; Colonel Jacob Rupert, of
Sew York. who gave $4,000 toward
Dir. Brisbane's fund; John P. Gardiner,
brewers Association, and John A. Nc
oefmott, manager of the organization
e.ureau Of the United States Brewers
Association.
TIE inquiry is expected to fall into
.To phases--frst, that affecting the gen
sfai alleged corrupt actions of the brew
era. the size Of their funds and their
methods of work; second, that affecting
.heIr connection with the German
Propaganda, and probably ramifications
u thig propaganda, which have never
yet been made public, even as sus
Dcioas.
Humes's Evidence at Hand
In taking up the frat part Of thi'
exposure, with which the hearings VII
ppsn, the committee will have at it'
9sposal a masg Of documents gath
s,fsd two or three years ago, when Il
n'wry Humes, then United States At
,1rney for Pittsburgh, hailed th'
United States Brewers Association, th'
.rnennsylvania State Brewers Associa
ION, and nearly seventy individn,a
sfewing concerns into court. Th'
mewers did not permit the cases u
1ne 70 trial, but pleaded nolle con
Snosrs, and paid heavy fines.
" VIII also have mass Of testi
,,aony taken in Texas, when sever
Iewing concerns paid fines totailini
apoas szs0, 900 and forfeited their char
gro. This evidence has been pre-
garsd for presentation by Mr.. Humess
nv n.' 2 major in the Adjutant General
...IYision, Who viii guide the commit
ss IN It's work." AZ Senator Oyerman
chairman, put IL. Working witl
u,m 10 member Of the Military Intel
kshee Bureau, VINO is specialist o.
'ssttfman propaganda.
ihs records Of the six witpesee
lCpntduued on J,a0e fve)