Arizona republican., 1919-08-01
LISTING V|ALS IF
 WRATH VENTED ON
 AIRCRAFT PROBERs
Republican A. p. Leased wire1


 WASHINGTON, July 31.-Homer S. Cummings, chairman of the democratic national committee, called before the house sub committee investigating air craft expenditures to testify under oath tonight why he had permitted the pub licity bureau of his organization to brand a proposed committee trip to the Pacific coast as ''junket," took full responsibility for the statement, and declared it was not a circum- stance to what would come later.
 From the moment he entered the committee room and introduced him. self to the members demanding the explanation until he went away, Mr. Cummings continually was smiling, while Chairman F'rear pounded the table with great heat and stopped the proceedings to have certain replies stricken from the record. With mock courtesy, Mir. Cummings, turning to the chairman and addressing him as my good fellow" said that he knew before he arrived that he would be un- able to satisfy the republicans. There was one or two sharp retorts from Chairman Frear to one of which the ! witness, lighting a cigar from another and still smiling. declared, ''my, wasn't that a delicate thrust"
 At the outset Mir. Cummings told the committee that while he had not read the particular article to which the republicans took offense, ne quite ap- proved it, except that it was not viz orous enough. It was during this questioning that Chairman Frear told the stenographer not to permit cer- tain statements to remain in the rec | fr6 t-1. | in court of justice he would have more rights What the chairman wanted to know especially was the basis for the charge that the sub com mittee was a smelling committee" And that it soon was to start on a ''junket." Finally, after a sharp wrangle, MT. Cummings said he under stood the committee contemplated a western trip to look into spruce con- ditions relating to aviation. when all of this had been gone over by Charles E. Hughes
 There have been other inquiries,- ' the witness continued. land this whole subject has been canvassed until it is threadbare. Moreover, the taking up of subject of this character by 8 committee which I submit is not friendly to the administration, and not in position to give an unbiased re- port is a waste of time and public money and in ordinary political par lance, a junket"
 ''Is it fair to this committee when it is ordered to make the trip to call it a junket?' Chairman Frear asked.
 T think so," MT. Cummings replied. . Tt is perfect folly to spend money on a trip of this character when you ought really to send public accountants, and when there are so many other prob lens, including the high cost of liv- ing, demanding consideration"
 "The republican organization" the witness went on ''has indulged in plenty of islander directed at the presi- dent of the United States and you should be sportsmen enough to stand mild criticism. This isn't a marker to what's coming"
 'If you do there will be an investi- gation by the house. the chairman in- terrupted.
 ''Fine,' the witness replied. T have quite enjoyed myself this evening"
 Representative Magee, republican, of New York, asked Mir. Cummings for a yes or no answer bearing on the wal investigation and the resultant sale oi army food
 "Why that's trick question:" the witness replied. Its like asking mar if he has quit beating his wife"
 Strike that out" MT Magee shouted and it was stricken out.