New-York tribune., 1919-07-25

of repairs. Then, he declared, ship
costing $3.50 was sold for s2o0,oO0..
s. That when private firms came to
buy government ships at cost. one
firm had charged back 100000 of
such cost which it was claimed had
been expended for such matters as
athletic supplies, cigars, contribu-
tons. to chambers of commerce,
membership dues and subscriptions
to Elks' conventions.
Representative Pou, of North Caro-
lima, Democrat, raised a partisan cry
by objectng not to the investigation
itself, but to the manner Of it's being
held-by another than the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
"This is going to be known in his
tory as the Investigation Congress-
he said. eve Democrats, however, are
glad to have the time come when we
can nail innumerable lies and slanders
that have been going around.
Some Extravaganza, Says Pou
"Some extravaganza, of course, was
bound to occur State Departm re-
ports show that German spies in this
country reported to Berlin that there
seemed no end of money and determi-
nation to win the war at any cost.
"The time of generosity in politics
has passed. All this is but scheme
to lay the foundation for the 1920 cam
paign. But just go to it, gentlemen,
all you want. We predict the follow
ing things will be shown:
"That America won the war at least
twelve months sooner than expected.
"That the efforts Of the navy and
other agencies in getting two million
men abroad have never been equalled.
''That never was so great task done
with so little graft and so great eff
ficiency.
"That President Wilson will rank
with the five greatest Presidents Of
this country"
Accuses Republican Manufacturers
Representative Garrett, of Tennessee,
declared it strange that the Republ-
cans should want to investigate when
efforts had been made to show that the
War Department had surrounded itself
with weak men who allowed great Re-
publican manufacturers to put it all
over them"
The resolution adopted read:
"Resolved, That the Speaker appoint
select committee Of six members OF
the House, Nd that such committee
be authorized and directed to inquire
into the operations Of the United
States Shipping Board and the United
States Emergency Fleet Corporation
or any agency, branch or subsidiary
of either. said inquiry shall include
an investigation Of contracts, leases
expenditures, receipts and any and
all transactions Of the said United
States Shipping Board, the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation, and any
other corporations, firms, individuals
or agency in any way associated with
or controlled or regulated by the said
board OF Emergency Fleet Corporation
For the purpose of said inquiry the
committee Shall have power to send
for persons and papers, administer
oaths and aifirmations, take testimony
to sit during the sessions of the
House or during any recess of the
House, and may hold its sessions q.
such places as the committee NAV dc.
terminc.
Said committee shall have the right
at any time to report to the House, in
one or more reports, the result of it's
inquiry, with such recommendations as
it may deem advisable"
"The Speaker is hereby empowered
to issue subp9nas to witnesses, upon
the request of the chairman of the
said committee, at any time, including
any recess Of the House during the
inquiry Of the committee, and the ser
geant-at-arms is hereby empowered
and directed to serve all subpmnas and
other processes transmitted to him bv
the said committee"