Evening star., 1921-05-22
NEWBERRY TO FACE
INQUIRY BY SENATE
Investigation of His Right to
Seat Is Predicted by Re-
publican Leaders.

The right of Senator Newberry OF
Michigan to his seat in the Senate
will be determined by the Senate it.
self. republican leaders predicted last
night.
The investigation by the Senate
will be made notwithstandingt the re-
cent decision of the Supreme Court
in the Newberry case, holding the
corrupt practices act unconstitutional
This is contrary to the general i'm
preston which gained ground here
following the decision Of the Supreme
Court. The decision to have the
Senate proceed with the Ford-New-
berry case has been reached infor-
mally, it was said. but a definite an
nouncement regarding the coming in
vestigation will be made when the
Senate committee on privileges and
elections meets Tuesday.
Will Take Testimony.
In. spite of strong opposition within
the republican Senate membership
influential leaders were said last
night to take the view that, from
many aspects. it was desirable to- pro-
ceed with the separate investigation
by the committee and have the Senate
act finally on the title of Sena tor
Newberry. 1t is now planned to re-
appoint the subcommittee. headed
by Senator Spencer. republican, Mis-
souri,, which has had charge of past
proceedings. to go ahead with taking
of testimony and render a verdict for
committee and the Senate. probably
in the form of a resolution.
Several considerations were said to
be involved in the matter, least of
which, republican leaders asserted
last night. was insistence Of promi-
nent democratic leaders and of Mr..
Ford himself on a thorough investi-
cation and final determination by the
Senate.
The chief reason given for pro-
cedure by the Senate was said to be
the difference between the charges
passed upon by the Supreme Court
and those, much broader, before the
Senate. The Supreme Court case, it
was said. dealt only with the federal
corrupt practices act. declared uncon-
stitutional, and. also, only with the
primary campaign between Senator
Newberry and Mr.. Ford. On the other
hand. the Senate charges cover ex-
penditures and activities of not only
the primary but the general election
campaign.
Claim of "Clean BILL,
Another reason advanced for con-
tinuing with the Senate case was the
dispute over the issue settled by the
Supreme Court decision. Senator
Newberry's friends have contended
that the senator was given "a clean
and that. therefore, the Senate case
should be dropped. Democrats
generally. including Mr.. Ford himself,
and several republicans, including
Senator Spencer. have expressed the
view that only a part of the charges
were before the court. and that, there
FORE the Senate should proceed with
the remainder. 1t also has been con-
tended that the Senate, after all. is
the final judge Of its own member
ship and Of their qualifications.
Several prominent republican lead
ers who were inclined. upon first
reading Of the court decree, to be-
lieve that further Senate action was
unnecessary, are said to have come
to the view that, for many reasons,
the Senate should go ahead independ-
entity.
Tho contention also is made by
those in control of the matter that
/. would be better for the Senate and
for Senator Newberry as we'll to have
Senate verdict rendered after re-
ceipt Of all testimony. The effect
of Senate decision politically In the
future was said to be a considerable
also. although comparatively a minor
one. -