Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-29
Farcical Investigations

IT HE revolt in the Senate against the ut
terly useless and wasteful Investigations
instituted by the House and Senate since the
beginning of the present session of Congress
has significance from the fact that it is led
by Republican statesmen themselves. Sena-
tor Nelson, whose Republicanism cannot be
questioned, and Senator Jones, of Washing
ton, whose party loyalty is proverbial, have
fatty and bluntly declared that they arc sick
and tired of the foolish and Intellectual pro-
ceedings ordered by their party associates.
This outburst came in connection with the
proposal that the Senate undertake without
delay an inquiry into the administration or
the office of alien property custodian. The
proposal was fathered by Senator Calder, OF
New York, some of whose constituents were
severely dealt with by Mr.. Palmer, and sup
ported by Senator Frelnghuysen, who, as
president OF German insurance company,
was forced TO submit to Mr. Palmers orders
while German assets in this country
being seized.
These two Senator'S now and for weeks
have been relentless in their pursuit OF the
former alien property custodian. They
sought to prevent his confirmation as Attor-
ney-General, but Il Republican Judiciary Com
mlttce. after inquirng into the fitness of
MIR. Palmer unanimously recommended the
latters confirmation and the Senate with
only two dissenting votes sustained the report
OF that committee
But the bounding of y. Mitchell Palmer
by two Senator's who are determined, if pos.
sible. to drive him from public life, is mere
incident in the present situation. The sig
nihcant thing is that Republican statesmen
themselves have grown weary OF the endless
and unproductive Investigations which have
gone on for the past few months. They have
been parties TO these proceedings and now
find reason to blush for the waste OF time
and money for whcih they have been re-
sponsiblc
IL there had been any justifying results. as
senator Jones pointed out, he might feel diff
ferently about the matter But, he added
not one investigating committee had exposed
single case of gross NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Not one had revealed crime. Not one had
laid bare case of corruption. In so far Is
his observation went every inquest ordered
by Congress had failed of its object and he
must have realized that the country is about
as impatient to have done with these COM
edes as he is himself.
Senators Jones and Nelson might have
cited the instance of the coal investigator
now going on as IA specimen of the futity
OF such inquisitions. Senator Frelinghuyseil,
the same statesman who is now crying out
that Palmer be crucifed, is chairman Of that
coal Investigating body. Not one time since
that hearing started has the full committee
been present. Only once were more than
Two members present and for days only Sena-
tor Frelinshuysen himself sat as the com
mittee.
Witnesses have come TO Washington from
remote sections of the country to appear be-
iore THIS committee and have been shocked
10 find nobody TO hear or examine them ex-
cept single Senator sitting in state at the
head OF committee hearing room The
whole business Is unworthy of Congress and
the revolt Of the Republican Senators will
propaDiy put stop 10 such farces