The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-01
CUMMINGS PRODS COMMITTEE AND ! PROMISES MORE Dem. Chairman Summoned for Calling the Spruce In / quiry Smelling" PROPOSED TRIP
 WASTE OF MONEY Chairman Frear Bangs the Table in Angry Rejoinder
 to Criticisms.


 Cummings. chairman of the Democratic National Committee. was called last night before tho House subcommittee Investigating aviation to give an ex- plantation of a Democratic commit tee publicity sheet which recently called the committee "a smelling ' committee" and said that its pro- 7sed trip to the Pacific Coast to in- tigate the spruce situation was
 ly a 'Junket."
 At previous sessions of the com nittee during the day, Secretary Baker appeared before 1t and many questions were asked him about the aviation program of the army during the war. The Hughes and Senate t committee reports were reviewed and questions were based on these. Mem bers of the subcommittee said after ward that they were laying founda- ton for an inquiry that would re- open the whole question of aviation, with the reported expenditure of | more than s1,oOO, 100000. :, Chairman Frear, Republican. of the subcommittee was manifestly angry while Mir. Cummings was being ex- amined for he talked in loud tones and beat the table with his fist But NIT. Cummings did not apologize for the statement to which objection was made. Tn fact, he smilingly said:
 ''It Is not a circumstance to what we are going to do."
 The examination of MT. Cummings continued for an hour. Mir. F'rear and Mir. Magee of New York, the other Republican member, accused Mir. Cummings of not making direct answers; but MT. Cummings only smiled and kept on drawing pictures on the pad before him. Mir. Lea of California. the Democratic member of the subcommittee, kept silent.
 Mir Cummings said that the propos- ed trip of the sub-committee to the Pacific coast would be nothing but a waste of time and money" and that the result would be a partisan report but MT. Frear insisted that Congress had directed the investigation of the
 oenditure of s5O.0OO,o0o in spruce,
 the subcommittee intended to .oduce valuable results
 Although saying that the Demo cratic Publicity Bureau had issued the statement, Mir. Cummings assumed complete responsibility for 1t In answer to one of the first questions, he said he "approved' the statement
 w ell, what CAuSeu you lO ap- prove such 0 mean, contsmptible statement?" asked Mir. Frear.
 T think you're a little supersensi- tive" replied Mir. Cummings.
 Pressed for an answer. MT. Cum mings said that tho Hughes report ! had been made as well as many oth- CTS on the aviation situation.
 ~I think that the public has all the Information it rightfully requires" he added.
 strike that out" commanded MT. Frear to the official reporter.
 I'm trying to be courteous to the committee" put in Mir. Cummings.
 'I doubt It." snapped MT. Frear.
 Mir. Cummings said that he had or dered the Publicity Committee to be Vigorous" in its work.
 Maybe 1t was not vigorous enough this time" he added.
 Do you as chairman of the Demo cratic National Committed, supposed to use some discretion. approve of this language was asked. Well" said Mir. Cummings. sometimes it is hard to use parlia- a sntary language when you are dis V -dssing Rpublicans."
 By this time the atmosphere in the room was varying rapidly between heat and the iciest politeness
 How long have you been a Demo- crax 2" suddenly asked Mir. Frear.
 "slnce 1896. before that I was a Republican" answered Mir. Cum mings.
 "I should say send some account ants" he continued. Tt is perfectly folly to spend money now. When Congress should be looking Into the high cost of living and reconstruc- ton problems committees should moi TO trooping off to do clerical work on the Pacific Coast"
 When MT. Frear said he wa' -sorry to embarrass'' MT. Cummings witness answered cheerfully:
 "Oh, you embarrass me terribly"
 MT. Frear made a declaration tha' she committee did not intend to b' reflected upon even before 1t begar work.
 .'My dear fellow beg your pardor Mir. Chairman" said MT. Cummings s.your organization has indulged 1T political islander long enough to b' sportsman enough to stand for littl' mild criticism"
 The Democratic Chairman said tha if Congress really wished to investi rate spruce 1t would not have a "par tran" inquiry.
 "what would you sugsest?" asked Mir. Frcar.
 'sweii, the President found a goot way" was the answer. '-rho differ sncs between the President and tn Republican leaders is that he select cd . man known for his i'm partiality The trouble with your investigation is that 1t fs partisan"
 Nr. Magee asked Mir. Cummings he approved the action of the Hous V in forcing tho War Department to sel the army food. MT. Cummings di not Nike the way the question wa < formed and that 1t was like asking
 man, "D1d you boat your wife las uight Answer yes or mo- ~As Chairman of the Democrat M National Committee you fear the re J suit of thls Investigation" challenge
 1lY. Nages.
 "ouits the contrary, my dear Sir, M rospondad MT. Cummings. 'I loo forwArd to t with pleasure, l tii5n W <hs Rspublican leadsrs are doing U -- L lca