The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-05
tom WATSON
TO FIGHT It
OUT IN SENATE
Georgia Firebrand Re-
fuses to Permit the
Charges Against the
Army to Be Pigeon
Holed

Washington, Nov. 2.-Notice was
given in the senate today by Sen
ator Watson, Democrat, of Geor-
gia, that he intended to present to
the senate itself evidence on his
charges that American soldiers had
been hanged overseas without
court-martial.
The Georgia senator declared he
would not be bundled up in any
committee room" and have his
evidence "entombed with senator's
in a report nobody would read"
but would make his fight in the
open senate The senator said Ia
ter he would reserve decision
whether he would appear at all
before the special senate commit
fee appointed to investigate his
charges.
Senator Watson's statements to-
day were made in another ho"r's
spirited clash over the investiga-
ton when Senator Brandegee. Rn-
publican, of Connecticut. chairman
Of the special committee. presented
formal resolution authorizing the
committee to take testimony under
oath and s'lbpoenae witnesses and
papers. The resolution drew sharp
comment rom Senator Watson.
and also involved him and Senator
Reed, Democrat, Of Missouri, in
spirited discussions with several
Republicans regarding the pro-
posed investigation.
Senator Watson reiterated his
charges and declared they all had
been made in 1918 by former Sen
ator Chamberlain. of Oregon, now
a Shipping Board member. The
GeorS a senator also declared that
today he had received letters and
telegrams from former service men
and soldiers in Philadelphia and
New York supporting his charges.
According to his information, he
said, other gallows than that pic
tured in the photograph he present.
ed yesterday had been erected and
used in France.
The question Of whether the SEN
ate committee proposed TO inves-
tigate Senator Watson's charges
was raised by Senator Reed, who
declared that. il his belief, the in
vestigation was grave mistake"
and an unfortunate precedent. Sen
ators' remarks, he contended, were
privileged, with accountability
only to senator's home constituents
This view was challenged sharply
by Senator Brandegee, Senator
Lodge, of Massachusetts, Repub-
lican leader, and others.
Senator Brandegee disavowed
''any purpose of putting the sena-
tor from Georgia on trial" and
said the senate had ordered an in
vestigation of the truth or falsity
of Mr.. Watson's charges.
If true, any officers connected
with the deeds he stated are mur-
derers and they ought to be hang
ed said Senator Brandegee.
Senator Brandegee had his reso-
luton. clothing the committee with
full authority, referred to the SEN
ate expenditures committee but did
not ask for immediate action. 1t
was reported favorably at the close
Of today's debate but went over
Senator Reed, during the discus
sions, advised Senator'S to think
| over the case and hinted at a mo-
ton to squash the inquiry, saying
he believed that upon reflection
senator's might consider 1.-The wiser
course would be to discharge the
special committee
Senator Watson, in today's de-
| bate again attacked Senator Wads-
worth, Republican, New York
| chairman Of the military commit
tee. who yesterday brought Mr
Watson's charges to the senates
attention. Senator Wadsworth.
the Georgia member declared. had
done SO lin a most insolent man
ner.'
Il tod him that I'd fight it out
face to face said Senator Watson.
That's what I'm going to do. The
whole country shall know it.. The
senator's charges against me We're
made openly the senate. I'm
going to meet them here. What
Ill say, in few days when get
my information, Will be read by
millions The newspapers will
have to carry it. It'll be good
ro,NI-''