Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-10
PALMER CAMPAIGN
INQUIRY CONTINUED
More Women Witnesses to Give
Testimony as to Use of
Bureau for Candidate
TO END QUIZ TEMPORARILY

st. Louis, July 1O.-The Senate in :
vestigating committee planned to dis
band temporarily tonight after exami
nation today Of several witnesses who
may be able to give information con
cerning the preconvention activities in
behalf of Attorney General A. Mitchell
Palmer.
After today's hearing Senator Ken
yon will return to Washington, while
Senators Reed and Spencer said they
would return to their homes for awhile.
Senators Edge and Pomerene, the other
members, are not presen:.
Three more women were subpoenaed
for today's hearing. They are Mrs.
John r. Rutledge, Mrs. Frank Hayes
and Mrs. Anna l.. Meehan. all Of st.
Louis. and connected with the Missouri
women's high cost Of living bureau,
which witnesses yesterday charged had
been used primarily to advocate the
candidacy Of Palmer"
Expected to Testify
A. G. Stuevers, wealthy. St. Louisan: /:
Edward F. Goltra, Democratic national
committeeman, and Joseph T. Davis,
st. Louis attorney. are expected to tes-
ify before the committee at future hear
ings probably in Washington, since they
were not able to reach st. Louis for
todav's session.
Witnesses yesterday declared that
Edward Goltra. Democratic national
committeeman from Missouri distribut-
ed $50 checks to st. Louis delegates to
the state convention which was instru-
mental in the ousting of Senator Reed,
Of Missouri. from his national conven-
tion seat. Goltra was declared by wit
nesses to be supporter of Palmer,
but few also acknowledged receiving
expense money from A. G. Stuevers. a
st. Louis capitalist, said to have been
a supporter of Governor Cox.
The charges against the attorney
general and the Department of Justice
were made by Miss Olivia Brueggeman.
formerly executive secretary of the
Missouri women's high cost of living
bureau, who said "I was dismissed be-
cause was Republican"
Testimony COntradicfed
Mrs. John r. Leighty. chairman of
the bureau. and Miss Mary Scott. its
publicity director. partly contradicted
Miss Brueggeman's testimony. declar-
ing that while its representatives had
attended the state Democratic and Re-
publican conventions partly at govern
ment expense, they did so to organize
counties In the anti high cost of living
campaign.
Questioned by Senator Kenyon. they
said mo counties were organized at
these conventions. and that they also
talked politics with the women there.
Miss Brueggcman. answering cues
tions without hesitation, told the COM
mittee that workers employed by the
Department of Justice to educate the
people in lowering living costs con-
fined their speeches to boosting Palmer
and generally the only time living costs
were mentioned We're when the speak
ers would explain that election of
Palmer to the presidency would mean
lower prices"
Enclosed Palmer Publicity
"We were asked to include Palmer
publicity matter in our II. C. L. pub
licity and to use it in such a way that
II would not be quickly detected as a
boost for him for President. This was
done. such publicity was frequently
mailed TO 2l9 Missouri papers," the
| witness said
'It was used by only a few. how
ever. and this caused an investigation
| by Howard Figg, an assistant attorney
general. 1t then came out that I was
a Republican and l was dismissed. Mrs.
| Frank Hayes. former chairman of the
bureau. also was dismissed because she
was a Republican.
| 'When our representatives attended
the state conventions the government
| paid their railroad fare and allowed "A
| n day extra. They went apparently Ia
organize counties. but in reality to boost
Palmer for President"
Bureaus Expensive
Miss Brueggeman said there were
eighteen III. G. L." bureaus in the
country, run at a cost of at least
| 500 900 year, and that she under
stood they also were used to advocate
Pslmer's candidacy"
Miss Scott denied that any publicity
matter In support OF the attorney gen
erals candidacy had been sent out from
| the bureau. Senator Kenyon asked he,
questions 30 fast that at times sb,
seemed on the verge of breaking down.
| Before God senator, we were justi
fed in using government money TO at
tend the conventions, for we did gov.
ernment work" she said,
Mrs. Lelghty also denied tha,
Palmer puffs' were included In th,
| bureaus publicity.
"We worked to reduce the high cosI
Of living and we did-somewhat," sh,