The Washington times., 1921-07-20
LEA-b|TE'
b[ANTON
CALLS EN-
Members Violent at Suggestion
Some Have Been 0nnected
With Traction Companies.

The House District COMMITTEES
was visibly agitated-even trem-
bled on its foundations-when it
held q round table discussion to-
day of the articles on the traction
| merger that Maj. Oliver P. New
man has been contributing to the
Washington Times.
Discussed Personnel.
Major Newman in recent article
committed the grievous social error
or discussing the personnel of the Dis
trfct committee. He pointed out that
, the integrity of the members could
not, of course, be questioned, but
added that some of them had pre-
viously been connected with traction
COMPANIES.
Now, Major Newman, who used to
be head of the District of Columbia
commissioners, ought to have known
better than this, according to the COM
mittee.
These charges against respect
able Congressman are contemplate. II
not criminal" declared Congressman
Focht, chairman of the committee.
Mr.. Newman isn't an ordinary
newspaper man, like this gent Bill
. Kennedy sitting at my right, but de-
scribes himself as journalist, maya
zine contributor and l don't know
. what" continued Congressman Focht.
Congressman Wood, author of the
merger bill, joined in the chorus Of
denunciation.
Talking Through His Hat"
Newman is just talking through
his hat" declared Mr.. Wood. He is
a writer of fiction. / think he ought
Z to be subpoenaed and brought before
this committee and made to retract
his charges" Wood continued.
"Of course, have been an attorney
for street railway companies. My con-
nection with them was known to my
constituents when l was elected. But
, street railway companies do not EN-
ployS. crooks. l haven't any interest
in the local company. and / haven't
put a. Joker in this bill, as Newman
says l have"
Talks OF Flea Bite"
Congressman Blanton jumped up
and down at the suggestion that
Major Newman be. summoned before
the committee. and said that If the
I committee was to pay attention to
every "flea-bite," IT had better not
proceed at all.
Congressman Focht appeared deep
ly grieved over the charge that
Clarence p. King, former president
of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company, was .boyhood
chum of his. He denied the charge
but said that he had known MIR.
King after he had come to Washing
ton. ~
MIR. Newman is a sample OF the
kind Of men," continued Mr. Focht,
'.who were in charge in Washington
at the time the street railways were
wrecked"
CONGRESSMAN Wheeler also COM
planned that Major Newman had mis-
represented him with regard to the
street railway situation. Further dis
cussion led to an agreement to meet
at $3.50 o'clock Friday morning to take
action upon the Wood bill. 1t is I'M
derstood that a majority of the COM
mittee is in favor of the bill and that
II will be reported favorably to the
House. Supporters of the bill APP
peared confident today that early
action could be expected.
"A number of members of the. COM
mittee also took violent exception to
the site of the new Eastern High
school and proposed to interrogate
the board of education about 1t. 1t
was declared that the school was
located in a swamp near the city
stail' and that it represented a great
waste of the peoples money.
Note.--Major Newman's article will
appear, as usual, tOmOrrOw.-EditOr.