South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-28
SEES TOO MUCH
RMANISM IN
WANTED PROBE
Senate Sits Down on Further
Investigation of Alien
Property Custodian.
UNDERWOOD QUOTES BERLIN
BY JOHN j. CORSON

WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. 27.-
a certain element Of the republican
party as represented in the senate
Is still attempting TO play politics
or settle personal grievances with
Atty. Gen. a. Mitchell Palmer, an
other investigation of the office of the
alien property custodian being the
proposed vehicle. AS a majority of
the republican senators or GER
tainly a sufficient number added TO
the emocrats-oppooses this action.
i is not likely TO 30 through despite
tre efforts of Sen Frelinghuysen of
New Jersey and Calder of New York.
The republicans objections to the
Frelingh uysen- Calder idea are, first.
that the ground already has been
covered i'm the hearings as TO Mr..
Palmer's fitness for the Office of
attorney general; second, that it
would probably cost $4,000 to
100000, according to the resolu-
tons provisions, and, third, that il
might give the country the impress
sion. prevalent in Washington, that
certain German interests whose
property was taken by Mr.. Palmer
as alien property custodian, are
attempting a persecution for po-
litical purposes, now that the
armistice is signed and the treaty of
peace about 10 be approved.
Ground Once Covered.
Immediately upon the introduc-
ton of the resolution for the inves-
q
the expense began to be made, Sen.
Jones of New Mexico, democrat
and Sen. Borah of Idaho, republican,
being among the critics. Sen. I'm
derwood of Alabama, democrat.
pointed out that the alien property
custodian was having his books
audited by a firm OF bonded account
ants. and that the Calder resolution
proposed repeating the performance
at an additional cost from $4,000
To 100000. lie suggested an
amendment forbidding duplication of
work and this was agreed 10.
1t will be remembered that the
senate judiciary committee recently
investigated at length all the charges
brought against Mr.. Palmer's con-
duct or the Office Of alien property
custodian by Sen. Frelinghuysen
and others. and that this committee,
republicans and democrats alike, re-
ported unanimously I'm his favor.
Also that when the question Of Mr..
Palmer's confirmation came before
the senate there was but one dis
senting vote. that. 1t is said being
Sen FrelfnEhuySen.
Calls IL German Move
Notwithstanding this Sen. calder
insisted that the expenditure Of
100000 or 100000 or even more
than that would be splendid in
vestment FOR the government II we
could obtain information that would
either demonstrate the truth Of these
epeated assertions or show their
falsehOOd."
Sen. Walsh of Montana, mem
Der of the judiciary committee, dis
urbed the Palmer assailants by re-
minding them that every charge Of
collision I'm the disposition OF alien
property had been investigated, and
that the committee had expressed
its desire to hear everything along
that line. and added:
Undoubtedly many complaints
/ have been made to the senator from
New York. (AIr. CALDER. But by
whom? Undoubtedly the German
owners of this property. bitterly
complain as 10 the acts of the alien
property custodian. But the very
serious question is. from what
sources do these complaints come?
For aught the senate knows at this
| time every one OF those complaints
I emerge from some German owner
whose property has been taken over,
and. of course. he feels bitterly
about the matter. Why should II
not be referred TO some committee
/ Of the senate TO ascertain the sources
AT least. from which these COM
plants come. TO see whether any
I American interest Of any kind is
complaining Of the administration Of
I the Officer
The committee heard Mr.. Pal
mer upon IL: he went into the whole
I subject. and ! may say that the bot
tom fen out o. the whole thing.
/ Those who made the charges were
/ in a pltiable plight before the COM
nnittee.' added Sen. Walsh
Reads Berlin Statement.
During the debate Sen. Under
- ~ RI