Evening star., 1921-05-29
BIZ G. GOULD LINCOLN.

eress to investigate all kinds of al
legged abuSes-and Congress has in
vestigated so many different kinds OF
abuses and mixed in so many coDtro-
versies that 1t is impossible to emu
merate them all. Not infreQuently
criticism is heard of these investiga-
tions. What do they accomplish?
How many thousands of dollars do
they COST" the critics ask.
Yet it does not appear that the
country. or large sections of the peo-
pie. would call for these investiga-
tions. or would continue to sanction
them. il there were not real good ac-
complished by them. A little light
and ventilation usually helps in most
controversies to bring about an or
derly settlement.
President Is Called Upon.
Now and then the President of the
United States is called upon to act
as an investigator and arbitrator in
various disputes which threaten to
cause upheavals. Undoubtedly. he
would be called upon more frequently
if it were not realized that the chief
executive has his hands full attend
ing to running the executive branch
of the government. But Congress has
the time and apparently the inclina-
ton to indulge in Investigations. 1t
has scores of standing committees to
which this or that subject may be
turned over for investigation
At pres mt a number of investiGa
tions into matters of vast Importance
to the country are under way by
Senate committees. The Senate in
te-state commerce committee. head
ed by Senator Cummins of Iowa. has
tackled the railroad situation and is
making a thorough inquiry into all
sides of that complicated question
What the committee particularly de-
sires to ascertain is why it cost the
railroads SO much to operate since
the roads were turned back to their
private owners, something more than
a year ago. and where. if at all. the
down in operation.
Inquiry Into Mine Strike.
Down in West Virginia civil war
has been under way in part of the
mining nelds-an industrial strife.
largely. Martial law has been de-
clared by the governor: the state
militia Of both West Virginia and
kentucky has been turned out to aid
in preserving order. But things have
not quieted down as they should. So
Senator Hiram Johnson of California
determined to have the Senate use
its good Offices He introduced a
resolution calling for an investiga-
tion by the Senate committee on edu-
cation AMI labor into the industrial
troubles tlat have brought about the
lighting. And the Senate has ordered
the inve3tigation. This particular
investigation recalls the inquiry
made into industrial strife in the
mining regions Of West Virginia a
number Of years ago. when the Cabin
and Paint Creek war was on.
senate or House Investigations of
lead to legislation or action by Con-
gress. have the effect of centering
attention upon the controversies
themselves. Both sides are given
full opportunity to express their
views Usually there is truce while
the investigation is going on. The
hearings before the congressional
committees are given wide publicity
Public opinion, which in the end
largely governs decisions in this
country, is given an opportunity to
to ha~ ial
Resulted In Real BENEFIT.
OF recent Investigations conducted
by Senate committees which appar-
entity have been beneficial to the
people is the Calder committee in
vestigation of housing and recon-
struction questions. dealing particu-
iarly with the coal situation. This
committee visited many cities and
sections of the country. 1t showed
where profteering was going on in
the coal busincas was operated and
where some Of the profits were GO
ing. 1t helped to stir up communi
ties to further action. The conse-
Guence has been that the investi-
cation has aided. IL It has not
been the cause, in helping to bring
about a reduction in prices Of ma
terials vita,ly needed by the people
for housing and heating purposes
In connection with this investiga.
ton II may be said that tho Calder
committee drafted a number Of bill.
10 aid the housing situation and tt
provide a measure OF regulation anc
publicity regarding the coal business
While these measures have not ye
been enacted into law. they have in
dicated TO the operators and the pro
Jucers the attitude OF tho public, a
reflected by the lawmakers, and hav,
not been without their effect.
Backed by Huge Power.
Not infrequenti. the demand for
congressional investigation come
wncn the parties involved In a con
trovcrsy or local authorities hav
either reached an impasse or tn
communities failed or declined t,
act. Back of Senate or House in
vestisation is the huge power. of tn
federal government. indcfinabIe to
great extent, but. nevertheless. DO
tent There is general feelin,
throughout thehcountry that IT is no
good plan to monkey" with incl
sam So a congressional investiga
tion sometimes gets farther than a.
Investigation by the local govern
msntal authorities.
During the war the Sonata mflitar