Norwich bulletin., 1919-08-01
Cummings Before
 House Committee
Tantalized Chairman Frear of Sub-C Committee Investigat- ing the Aircraft Expendi- lures.


 lures.
 Washington, July 31.-Homer S. Cummings, chairman of the demo- cratic national committee, called .be- fore the house subcommittee investi- gating aircraft expenditures to testify under oath why he had permitted the publicity bureau of his organization to the Pacific coast as a "junket," took full responsibility for the statement and declared it was not 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 MT. Cummings continually was smiling, while Chairman Frear pounded the table with great heat and stopped the proceedings to have certain replies stricken from the record. With mock courtesy MT. Cummings. turning to the chairman and addressing him as my good fellow" said that he knew before he arrived that he would be unable to satisfy the republicans. There were one or two sharp retorts the witness, lighting a cigar from an- other and still smiling. declared My, wasn't that a delicate thrust?''
 At the outset MT. Cummings told the committee that while he had not read the particular article to which the re- publicans took offense. he quite ap- proved it. except that it was not wig orous enough It was during this questioning that Chairman Frear told the stenographer not to permit certain statements to remain in the record. to which the witness replied that 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 committee was smelling committed" and that it soon was to start on a 'junket." Finally, cl11 cyIn Mr. said that as he understood it the com mittee contemplated a western trip to look into spruce conditions relating to aviation, when all of this had been gone over by Charles E. Hughes.
 There have been other inquiries.'' the witness continued, and this whole subject has been canvassed until it is threadbare. Moreover. the taking up of a subject of this character by committee which I submit is not friendly to the administration, and not in a position to give an unbiased re- port, is a waste of time and public money and, in ordinary political par lance, junket.''
 'Is it fair to this committee when it is ordered to make the trip to call it junket? ?. Chairman Frear asked.
 'I think so,' MT. Cummings replied. Tt is perfect folly to spend money on trip of this character when you ought really to send public account ants and when there are so many
 
 of living, demanding consideration The. feeublican organization, II the witness went on. has indulged in plenty Of slander directed at tie pres ident of the United States ana you should be sportsnen enough t6 stand mild criticism. This isn't a marker to whats coming.'
 If you do. there will be an investi- gation by the house. the chairEdan in terrupted.
 Fine the witness replied q have quite enjoyed myself this evening""
 In commenting the public service of craft inquiry. MT. Cummings said the difference between republican leaders in congress and the president was that the president had selected for the while the other was a purely political while the other was a purely political investigation.
 Representative Magee republican. of New York. asked Mir. Cummings for a yes or no answer bearing on the war investigation and the resultant sale of army food
 "Why, that's a trick question: the witness replied. Its like asking a man if he has quit beating his wife,
 Strike that out" MT. Magee shout ed. and it was stricken out
 Chairman Frear contended that the democrats were making a concerted MT. Cummings insisted that the re- pub1icans in control of congress were trying to ctiticize every single act of the administration during the war. The committee chairman brought out that prior to 1896 the witness was a republican. He told how he and Mr Magee and Representative Lee. demo- crat. of California, mem bers of the committee, had protested against be- ing forced to travel to the Pacific coast next month. MT. Frear said he had been to the coast over every rail- road, so the trip was no "junket' for him.
 There was great need, Chairman Frear proceeded. for an inquiry into the forthconiNg sale of millions of dollars worth of government property He presented a letter from Senator Chamberlain of Oregon, enclosing pie lures of lumber engines lying in ditch es along the railroad track. Examining them for moment, the witness re- marked:
 They are hardly worth sending this committee to look at" but added that he did not wish to be understood S deprecating investigation of any war activities.
 MT. Magee wanted to know if Mir. cratic organization. feared the results of the inquiry.
 Quite the contrary. my dear sir" he replied. q look forward with great pleasure to these investigations The leaders of the republican party are doing us a great service. But think you are on the wrong track. and that's favor of the republicans Investigating everything the democrats did I be- lieve you gentlemen are actuated by high motives. but the whole thing will come to naught." rNr>,rsH~ ~,axx~