The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-08

EVIDENCE OF PLOT TO
OVERTHROW GOVERNMENT
Members of Congress Accused
of Attending Meetings Held
to Promote Bolshevism.

Washington, Feb. 4.-SWeePihS
Investigation Of Bolshevik, l.. w. W..
and other propaganda was ordered
unanimously today by the senate al
ter two hours Of tempestuous dls-
cussion in which several senators oe-
cla-ed that organizations were piot-
ting to overthrow the American gov
-ernment by violence.
The senate judiciary suo-co1nni1-
tee. which for more than a year mas
been investigating pro-Gernan ana
brewers propaganda was authorizes
bv the senate resolution to conouct
the new inquiry. The committee W1li
begin work probably next frlday'
Chairman Overman announced to-
night after an executive meeting oi
the committee to consider procedure
Senator Overman said the new lnves-
tigation would cover wide range ana
would continue Indefinitely procaoiy
even after congress adjourned.
The resolution offered by Senator
Walsh Of Montana, Democrat, ana
adopted without roll call or dissent
ing voice extends the committee
power to inquire concering any Ell
forts being made to propagate IN TINS
country the principles Of any parry
exercising or claiming TO exercise au-
thority in Russia, whether such Ell
forts originate in this country or are
melted or financed from abroad, ana
further to inquire into any effort to IN
cite the overthrow Of the government
of this country or all government ov
force, or by the destruction OF life or
property or the general cessation OF
industry.
Senators Joined in impassioned de-
nunciation Of the alleged propaganda
at a meeting held last Sunday at
which the Russian soviet government
was praised as superior to the Ameri-
can form Of government Senator
Poindexter Of Washington, Repuol-
can. introduced a resolution calling
for investigation by the department
of justice of the assembly here which
was addressed to Representative Ma
son OF Illinois and at which Repre-
sentatives Gordon Of Ohio and Dillon
of South Dakota also were present.
This resolution went over for further
discussion.
The senate's investigation looking to
the Suppression of the alleged sedl-
tious propaganda came unexpectedly.
Senator Myers Of Montana, opposed
the discussion with vigorous criticism
of last Sundays public meeting heio
In a theater owned by the govern
nent and said any member OF con-
gress who spoke at the meeting 40
support Of the Russian soviet shouio
be expelled. Senator Kellogg Of Min
nesota denunciated proclamation IN
a St. Louis newspaper entitled Linene
appeals to the BoIshevik Of America ;.
and said, Criminal propaganda ann
ed at violent overthrow Of the gov
ernment was active in the United
States. Senator Weeks OF Masachu-
setts dec red that the American peo-
pie did not understand that the real
purpose behind the propaganda was
the overthrow Of their government
and that until they do understand, 1t
could not be. stamped out. Violence
in seeking government reforms was
deplored by Senator Borah OF 1daho,
Republican. as unnecessary because
of the power held in the American
ballot. He urged that senator's after
congress adjourned, "go on the ros-
truna and preach Americanisn.
Senator Walsh asked if the judiciary
subcommittee was authorized to in
vestigate such propaganda as that un-
der discussion. Chairman Orerman
said it was not and Mr.. Walsh has
tily drafted and presented his resoiu-
ton which was quickly adopted.
The resolution was regarded by the
subcommittee as authorizing an in
quir: into the activities of the /. ".
w, which was referred to by sena-
tor Thomas Of Colorado duri4.g the
senate discussion as a criminal or
ganization Senator Kellogg declared
that the +. w W. was seeking to
wreck the government by force.