Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-05
SENATORS
TO PROBE
BOLSHEvIK
ACTIVITY
Congressman, Who Attended
Meeting at Which Soviet
Was Praised, Denounced
as Traitors.

Washington, Feb. 4-Sweeping
investigation of bolshevik, l. w. W
and other propaganda. was ordered
unanimously today by the senate
after two hours tempestuous dis
cussion in which several senators
declared organizations were plot
ting to overthrow the American
government by violence.
The senate judiciary subcommittee
which for more than a year has
been investigating pro-Gcrman and
brewers propaganda was authorized
by the senate resolution to conduct
the new inquiry. The committed
will begin work. probably next FRI
day The chairman, Senator Over
man, said the new investigation
would cover wide range, and con-
tinue probably after congress adj
journs
Favor Resolution Unanimously.
The resolution offered by Senator
Walsh of Montana and adopted
without a rollcall or dissenting
voice, extended the committed
power ito inquire concerning ans
efforts being made to propagate ii
this country the principles Of am
party exercising or claiming to ex.
ercise authority in Russia, whether
such efforts originate in TINS coun
try or are melted or financed from
abroad, and further to inquire int
any effort to incite the overthrow 6i
the government of this country ol
all government by force or by the
destruction of life or propertg OF
the general cessation Of industry
Senators joined in denunciation oi
the alleged propaganda and also ct
meeting held here last Sunday at
which the Russian soviet govern
ment was praised as superior to tlle
American form of government SEN
ator Poindexter of Washington, fe,
publican, introduced a resolution
calling for investigation BY the De-
partment Of Justice Of the assembly
here which was addressed by Repre-
sentative Mason of Illinois and al
which Representatives Gordon 81
Ohio, and Dillon of South Dakota
also were present This resolution
went over for further discussion
Criticises Public Meeting.
The senate's-action looking to the
suppression of the alleged seditious
propaganda came unexpectedly
Senator Myers of Montana opened
the discussion with criticism Of last
Sundays public meeting, held ii
theater owned by the government
and said any member of congress
who spoke at the meeting in sup-
port of the Russian soviet should
be expelled. Senator Kellogg of
Minnesota denounced a proelanas
ton in St. Louis newspaper enti-
tied "Lenine's Appeal to the Boil
sheviki of America" and said
criminal" propaganda aimed at a
violent overthrow of the govern
ment was active in the United
States.
Senator Weeks Of Massachusetts.
republican, declared the American
people did not understand the real
purpose behind the propaganda was
the overthrow of their government
and that until they do understand It
cannot be stamped out
Violence in seeking government
reforms was deplored by Senator
Borah Of Idaho, republican, as uns
necessary because of the power held.
in the American ballot. He urged
that senator's, after congress ad
journs, "go on the rostrum and
preach Americanism."
To Probe 1. w. w. Activities.
Senator Walsh asked if the.
judiciary subcommittee was author
lied to investigate such propaganda
Continued on Page Two. Column siz.