The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
SENATE ORDERS FULL PROBE OF
 ALL PROPAGANDA
 THROUGHOUT J. s.
Several Senators Declare Bolsheviki and I. w. w. Plotting to Overthrow the Government by
 Violence
By Associated Press

Sweeping investigation of bol- shevik, 1. W. w. and other propaganda was ordered unani- mously today by the Senate ' after two hours of tempestuous discussion in which several senators declared that organ lzatlons were plotting to over throw the American govern ment by violence. The Senate judiciary sub committed which for more than year has been , investigating pro-German and brewers propaganda, was authorized by the Sem ate resolution to conduct the new in- .quiry. The committee will begin work probably next Friday, Chairman Over man announced tonight, after an execu- tive meeting of the committee to con- slider procedure. Senator Overman said the new investigation would cover wide range and would continue indefl- nitely, probably even after Congress ad journs.
 The resolution offered by Senator Walsh of Montana. democrat, and adopted without roll call or dissenting voice. extended the committees power
 
 made to propagate in this country the principles of any party exercising or claiming to exercise authority in Russia, whether such efforts originate in this country or are melted or financed from abroad, and further to inquire into any effort to intimidate the government of this country or any government by force, or by the destruction of life or property, or the general cessation of industry.
 DENOUNCE MEETING
 Senators joined in impassioned denun- citation of the alleged propaganda and also of a meeting held here last Sunday at which the Russian soviet government was praised as superior to the Ameri- can form of government. Senator Poin- dexter of Washington, republican, in- troduced a resolution calling for invei- tigation by the department of justice of the assembly here which was addressed by Representative Mason of Illinois, and at which Representatives Gordon ot Ohio and Dillon of South Dakota also were present. This resolution went over for further discussion.
 The Senate's action looking to .he suppression of the alleged seditous prop uganda came unexpectedly. Senator Myers of Montana opened the discussion with vigorous criticism of last Sun days public meeting, held in theatre owned by the government, and said any member of Congress who spoke at the meeting in support of the Russian soviet should be expelled. Senator Kellogg of Minnesota denounced a proclamation in St. Louis newspaper, entitled Lenine's appeal to the bosheviki of America and said criminal propaganda aimed at a violent overthrow of the govern ment was active in the United States.
 Senator Weeks of Massachusetts. re- publican, declared that the American people did not understand that the real purpose behind the propaganda was the overthrow of their government, and that until they do understand it could not be stamped out.
 Violence in seeking government re- forms was deplored by Senator Borah Of Idaho, republican, as unnecessary be- cause of the power held in the Ameri- can ballot He urged that senators, after Congress adjourns, "go on the rostrum and preach Americanism.
 Senator Walsh asked if the judiciary subcommittee was authorized to inves- tigate such propaganda as that under discussion. Chairman Overman said 1t was not and MT. Walsh hastily drafted and presented his resolution which was quickly adopted.
 The resolution was regarded by the sub , committee as authorizing an inquiry into the activities of the l. w. w., which was referred to by Senator Thomas Of Colorado during the Senate discussion as criminal organization" Senator Kellogg declared that the I. w. W. was a seeking to wreck the government by forcee.
 The new inquiry by the Overman com 4 n ittee was ordered just as the commit tee was concluding it's long investiga- tion of brewery and German propaganda, a report on which now probably will be deferred What was to have been a final meeting of the subcommittee was held to- day, but it got into action at once to- ward proceeding with the new investiga- ton
 ,s OVERMAN STARTS DISCUSSION
 When the committee met early today long discussion was started by an an- nouncement by Senator Overman that Sec retary Baker had refused to give the < committee information concerning an in vestigation by the war department of alleged pro-German sentiments of F. J. Fl. Von Engelken, former president of the federal farm loan bank at Columbia, South Carolina.
 After the discussion had continued sometime and MT. Baker had been se- verely criticized for his attitude, ms letter to Chairman Overman was read. , The secretary wrote that he would per init the committee or its counsel to ex- anime the record as to Mir. Won Engel- ken to determine it's usefulness to the inquiry, but added that he did not be- lieve the information would be of the slightest assistance"
 q do not send the file.' Mir. Baker wrote, but rather take this course be- cause I know you wish to protect an ap- k parently gultless man from further mo- toriety."
 The report of the military intelligence division of the army, according to an excerpt quoted by MT. Baker, said that Mr. Won Engelken was loyal to the < United States, although This conduct prior to the entrance of this country into the war, as well as since, has caused him to be a much criticized man..
 The committee took no action on Mir. Baker $ rDropOSal