New-York tribune., 1919-12-04
Charges of Bolshevism in
Federal Trade Board To
Be Gone Into; Inquiry on
Labor Bureaus to Follow
Deportations Assailed
five Admit Aliens We Must
Keep Them, Says Borah,
and Stand Consequences
New York Tribune
WdshiuUfon Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The way for
sweeping investigation of the Social
istic and Bolshevik activities" Of en-
ployees of the Federal government was
opened by the Senate to-day. The Sen
ate adopted a resolution directing the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
make an investigation of the activi-
ties of the personnel of the Federal
Trade Commission, and that the work
Of the commission itself itself be sub.
iected to a general inquiry.
Senator Watson, Republican, of In
diana. author of the resolution, dc
clared that the investigation of charges
that employees of the commission
"have been and now are engaged in
socialistc and Bolshevik propaganda
and in furthering the organization and
growth OF socialistic and Bolshevik
organizations" is only the forerunner
Of radicals in all branches of the gov
ernment service.
This investigation is only a start"
said Senator Watson. Il intend to pre-
sent other resolutions calling for in
vestigatlons of other government bu-
reaus. The radicals in the government
employ are not confined to the Federal
Trade Commission"
Labor Bureau Next
The personnel of the Department Of
Labor will be among the first that will
be inquired into by the Senate after
the Federal Trade Commission investi-
cation is we'll under way, according 10
Senator Watson. Department of Labor
officials Will appear before the Immi-
grafton Committee of the House within
the next week to testify on charges
that they released dangerous aliens
who had been ordered deported from
the United States.
The original Watson resolution
merely authorized the investigation
into activities of the Federal Trade
Commissions employees. Before it was
adopted an amendment offered by Sem
ator Cummins for a general investiga-
ton of the acts of the commission
itself was accepted.
In presenting his amendment Senator
Cummins said there had been some
evidence suggesting an organized
movement in the country to discredit
the Federal Trade Commission. "If
this antagonism to the commission is
merited." he said, "the facts should be
known. would have the committee
learn them and report generally on the
value Of the commission as a govern
mental agency"
Senator Walsh, Democrat Montana,
protested against the wording of the
resolution, which, as introduced, re-
cited in the preamble that there is
reason to believe" Socialists are in the
commissions employ and conducting
Bolshevik propaganda.
Borah Opposes Deportation
"There is no reason for the Senate
deliberately to make such charge ,
ne said. 1T may be true, but the
Senate doesn't know it. l move tc
strike out the preambles recitations.'
During the debate that follow &c
Senator Borah said:
Perhaps it will cause something O:
shock, but 1 may as we'll say that
am opposed to all deportations. If we
once admit people here, we should take
the consequences and look after then
ourselves"
ALIENS who are seeking destruction
of the government should be deport-
ed insisted Senator Thomas.
Not merely aliens do it," retortec