New Britain herald., 1921-12-09
Senator Brandegee Has To Call Sergeant At- Arms To Make Georgia Senator Subside
"I'm Not Afraid of You," Says Latter, While For mer Tells ''NOr I of YOu," As He Bangs Table.

Washington, Dec. 9.-The meeting Of the senate committee Investigating charges by Senator Watson, d0 0hocrat, Georgia that soldiers had been'illegal- ly hanged in France almost broke up in q row today after Senator Watson had threatened to slap the face of an army officer sitting in the audience.
 Chairman Brandegee of the com- mittee taking hold of an awkward situation declared that no person in the room should be insulted.
 Watson Makes Threat
 This statement was made just after Senator Watson walked up close to Major George D. Cocheu and shaking his finger in his face, eXclaimed
 For two pennies I would slap your face"
 "If he looks at me again that way I will slap his jaws" the Georgia sen ator declared, adding that he would not remain with the committee to be 'bulldosed" by this "bulljawed brute.'
 Take your seat Senator Watson" Senator Brandegee demanded.
 "Il retire first" he replied.
 Take your seat or retire" the chairman said,
 Sergeant is Called
 Chairman Brandegee called for the sergeant at arms and Senator Watson sat down. Then turning to the Georgia senator the chairman asked if he wanted the army officers present including Walter F. Bethel Gen. pershing's judge advocate in France to retire.
 "Yes' said Senator Watson.
 Well, get out" said the chairman and the officers retired.
 Objected to Looks.
 Major Cocheu had not been called as a witness and sat silent while Sen ator Watson was launching verbal attack upon hhim. The senator told the committee that he had been in suited by the manner in which the officers had looked at him.
 Senator Shields, democrat, objected to the attack stating that the commit tee had every desire to give Senator Watson d full hearing, that it had not prejudged the case and that the Sen ator's statement to that effect was ah solutcy without foundation. Senator Watson began a discussion of the case with respect to certain evidence he expected to produce after the officers had retired,
 Brandcgcc in Charge.
 Senator Shields presided at the opening of the session but retired later as Mir Brandegee arrived and took the chair. Soon after there was an exchange between Mr. Brandegee and Mr. Watson regarding certain conversations relating to procedure and the presence Of army officers while the Georgia senator was pre- senting his witnesses. The exchange became very heated and Senator Wat son shouted;
 'I am not afraid of you"
 Nor l of you," Chairman Blande- gee replied, banging the table.
 The chairman went on to s&y that there had been no disposition in the minds of the committee to be Lnfalr to Mr. Watson and that it Was not right for him to impugn the commit tees motives.
 Advice to Watson,
 ,,YOu ought to submit your evidence and let us decide" said the chairman. Then the senate can determine whether our findings are proper" It was at this point that Senator Wat son turned suddenly upon Major Cocheu, reminding him that he was not in France and announcing hls threat that for two pennies he would slap his jaw.
 Has 63 Witnesses.
 When the excitement had subSlded Senator Watson announced that he desired the committee to call G3 wit nesses whose names he presented along with a great volume of letters. There was some informal discussion much mider in tone than that which preceded the row. Hearings were then adjourned until tomorrow at o'clock and the committee held an eX- ecutiVe session.
 Senator Watson at the resumption of the today protested against the de- cision of the committee to conline the inquiry solely to the question of hang ings.
 Makes Broad Charges
 My charges were broader. l pro test against the charges being mar rowed." Senator Watson declared. "l want it understood that l am going into the shooting of men by their officers"
 The committee suggested that 1t might be necessary to go before the senate and ask that the resolution d. recting the inquiry be enlarged.
 'Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., cor roborates my statement that soldier was shot by an officer" Senator Wat son declared Tt was testified at the trial that the officer shot the soldier without rrovocation whatsoever"
 DO you want Col. Roosevelt called as a witness?" the senator was asked. No, I would not embarrass him" Nr. Watson went on to say he pro posed to try the case on the floor of the senate.
 Senator Shields democrat Tenncs- see, told the senator the committee was not going into irrelevant matters