The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1919-12-22
WASHlNGT0NIS
WATCHlNCF0R
new THINGS ! III IN
SENA1EPR0BE
Ford Filed Notice of Election
Contest Before Newberry
Took His Seat
POMERENE OF OHIO
LEADING THE FIGHT
Senate Committee Is Appointed
to Make Investigation
of the Charges
(Bv United Press. }

(By United Press.)
Washington, Dec. 22.-Politicians
here and the country over are watch
ing developments in the sensational
Ford -Newberry election case with
keen interest. Each party is seeking
to benefit-democrats by claiming
they forced the investigation, and re-
publicans by asserting they welcome
it.
The controversy rags around two
widely different men-Henry Ford a
popular figure because of his specta-
-cular rise from a humble mechanic to
the worlds greatest automobile man
ufacturer; Truman H. Newberry COM
ing from rich family, prominent in
society and trained in the etiquette OF
official life in Washington through
former service as Secretary Of the
Navy in 1908,O9 and as commander
in the navy during the. war.
Newberry, as is usual with new
senators during their first term, has
taken little active part in the pro-
ceedings of the senate. He has made
no speeches of length and has only
taken the floor at rare intervals to
introduce a pension bill or a bill for
a bridge of local improvement in his
home state.
Newberry Active.
He has been fairly active in COM
mittee work, however, especially in
the senate naval affairs committee,
where his former experience as secre-
tary of the navy, also as assistant
secretary and later as a commander
has been Of value. He also takes part
in the senate banking and currency
committees work which has included
consideration Of the noted John Skel-
ton Williams case involving charges
of untitness as comptroller of the cur
rency. Many important financial
bills have come before the committee
which Newberry through his expert
ence as business man, has taken an
active interest in. yt
Ford Started It.
The fight against Newberry started
at the previous congress before he
had taken his seat. Henry Ford filed
notice that he would contest the elec-
tion on December 31,1918. The SEN
ate was then controlled by demo-
cratic majority and Senator Pomer-
mittee on privileges and elections
Hearings were held and the senate
finally voted to order all papers and
ballots Of the Michigan senatorial
election preserved in anticipation of
possible future recount.
Resolution Drawn.
When the republicans took control
at the extra session beginning last
May Senator Pomerene offered a reso-
luton for complete investigation OF
the senatorial election to include
both Ford and Newberry organiza-
tfons and to cover both the primaries
and the election proper. This resolu-
tion was referred to the committee
on privileges and elections, ordered
reported out and was then referred
to the committee on continent ex-
penses which is required to approve
all resolutions requiring expenditure
of senate funds. The resolution was
then allowed to lie without action
until Senator Pomerene threatened
to.make an open fight unless the COM
mittee got busy. In a few days the
resolution was reported out Of the
senate.
Represent Senate.
The committee on privileges and
elections Is expected to make the in
vestigatiOn for the senate. Senator
Dillingham;. Vermont, is chairman.
Other republican members are: Ken
yon. Ia, Sherman. Ill.,, Fall, N. NJ,
Knox. Pa, Spencer. Mo-, Wadsworth,
N. Y, Watson, Ind, and Edge, N. j.
Democratic members are: Pomerene,
o. (former chairman), Reed, Mo-,
Walsh. Mont, King, Utah, Wolcott,
Del. and Ashurst, Ariz.