The Washington herald., 1919-06-05
WAR COST PROBE
DECREED;R0LLER
QUIETS PROTEST
House Republicans Put 1t
Over" by Keeping Ten
Places on Committee.
DUPRE CRIES POLITICS
Longworth Declares ''Polit-
ical Mixtures Will Be
Disclosed.

Using steam roller methods to pre-
vent consideration OF an amendment
which the Democrats declared neees-
sary to insure a fair minority repre-
sentation on the committee. the Re-
publicans of the House yesterday put
through the resolution of Represen-
tative Graham, of Illinois. providing
for a Congressional investigation or
the War Departments expenditures
during the war.
The Democrats charged and the Re-
publican leaders admitted that 1t was
planned to appoint ten Republicans
and five Democrats on the "se'ect
committee" of fifteen. The minority
leaders demanded that a fair division
should be nine and six and were pre-
pared to offer an amendment to th.s
effect.
Use Steam Roller.
At the conclusion of general debate,
however. the previous question was
moved by Chairman Campbell, or the
Rules Committee, which reported out
a special rule to make the resolution
in order. This motion, which shut on
all amendments. was adopted by a
strictly party vote of 197 to 155. The
vote on the adoption Of the resolution
was unanimous. 34l to 0.
Speaker Gillett announced that he
would not name the members of The
committee until today. or probably to-
morrow. The majority leaders stated
that the committee would organize
and launch the inquiry Immediately
after the personnel of the committee
- made known
Democratic speakers charged that
the purpose of the probe was purely
political. and they saw in statement
of NJ. Campbell an admission of this
charge.
Lets Cat Out of Bag.
Mr. Campbell was replying to Rep
resentative Garrett. of Tennessee. who
pointed out that in Investigations un-
dertaken while the Democrats were in
control of Congress the proportion OF
representation on the investigating
committees was five for the majority
to four for the minority.
These investigations" said Mr..
Campbell, were concerned with the
Industrial activities of the country,
rather than political"
"Oh, the gentleman has let the cat
out of the bag" Representative Du-
pre-. of Louisiana. said.
Or governmental" Mr.. Campbell
added as the Democrats began laugh
ing and jeering.
Representative Longworth sprang to
the rescue without waiting for rec
ognition by the Speaker. he shouted:
Why. the gentleman is entirely
correct. Political and governmental
are synonymous under the present ad-
ministration.'
Denies Politics is Motive.
II am glad you are pleased" Mr..
Campbell resumed. taking his cue
from Mr.. Longworth and addressing
the Democratic side. But before
hese Investigations are concluded
1 will find quite an intermingling
L governmental and political activi-
MOI.
-eak'he Rules Committee chairman re-
irty ated the denial made by other Re-
on Slican speakers that politics was
per9 motive behind the probe. But
Heir. Garrett charged the majority with
Tesorting to gag rule" and steam
,'roIler'' methods to prevent an equi-
table minority representation on the
committee He pleaded for rep
resentation of six. to which the mi
nority was entitled. according to the
relative strength Of the two parties
in the House. he said.
Striking the keynote of the minority
attitude. Mr.. Garrett continued:
"weIcome investigation"
"Of course. we don't oppose this
Investigation. 1t is an investigation
of what in many respects was one of
the most glorious chapters in the his
tory of the United States. The job
was done with thoroughness and
completeness. OF course. we don't
object But we do insist that in COM
I mon decency. measured by all decent
precedents of the past. we are entitled
TO proportionate representation on
this committee"
At the conclusion of the general de-
hate. Representative Pou. ranking
Democrat of the Rules Committee,
asked Mr.. Campbell:
You wouldn't move the previous
question before we can get in an
amendment. would you?'
Il do" Mr. Campbell replied. and
made the motion.
Representative Cantrill. of Ken
lucky. said the membership of the
House thoroughly understood the real
purpose of the investigation.
The Republicans will not publicly
make the admission that they are 60
ing into this Investigation to dig up
campaign material for next year. but
we all know il. So far as the minority
as the War Department Is concerned.
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