Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-11-04
SENATE LEADERS
WANT CHARGESBY
WATSON NDROPPED
Both Parties Believe Tn
wise to Probe His
Allegations
MAY CAUSE ROW TODAY
Simmons to Introduce
Resolution to Dis 4
miss Committee
MAY CAUSE ROW TODAY
(By Associated press)

tBy Associated Press)
Washington, Nov. "a motion is
to be made in the senate tomorrow,
Democratic senators announced to-
night, to drop the investigation by a
special senate committee into the
charges of Senator Watson, of Geor-
gia, that American soldiers we're
hanged in France without trial.
Whether a partisan issue would
develope out of the case was uncer-
tain tonight but several Republicans
declared they were ready to resist
the Democratic motion which Sena-
tor Simmons, Democrat, of North
Carolina, said he planned to offer.
He is to move the discharge or dis
solution of the special. investigating
committee headed by Senator Bran
degee, of Connecticut, which was ap-
pointed last Tuesday by the senate.
Both Parties Agreed
The Simmons motion was agreed
upon after conferences between Re-
publican and Democratic leaders and
Senator Watson after presentation
by Mr.. Watson of letters, kilograms
and newspaper clippings as substan-
tiating his charges. Democratic sem
ators claimed they had assurances
from some Republican leaders that
they would not object dissolution of
the Brandegee committee, but other
Republicans declared they would op-
pose the Simmons motion.
Senator Watson said that he con-
tinued to object to presenting the
case before any committee and that
he proposed to proceed with his evil
dence in the open senate.
The matter is scheduled to be
brought up Immediately when the
senate reconvenes tomorrow, the ad-
journment tonight for this reason
being taken until 10 o'clock.
Wants Photograph Recorded
Senator Watson asked for inser-
tion in the congressional Record of
photographs of alleged hangings in
the American expeditionary force
published in a New Jersey newspa-
per, and Senator Moses, chairman of
the printing committee, started to
say that printing rules did not per-
NIT publication of photographs
when he was cut off by Mr.. Watson
who declared the objection was
"cowardly."
The Georgia senator again at
tackled Senator Wadsworth, Repub-
lican, New York, who first called
the senate's attention to Senator
Watson's charges.
at is only a few hours" said
Mr.. Watson, "since l was put on
the rack in a most brutal, supercil-
ious manner by the ex-associates of
William Barnes, a crook"
Senator Wadsworth did not reply.
Ni' "dIooL Sdlu GldC former
Georgia soldier was en- route here to
furnish proof of the hanging
charges and that he might appoint
him as his secretary so that he
might stand by the senator's side in
the chamber to aid in proof.
kilograms Report Cruelties
Senator Watson then had senate
clerks read large number of let
ters, kilograms and newspaper clip
pings into the record, all reporting
alleged cruelties to, or mistreat-
nent of soldiers.
The Georgia senator referred to
mis- data as "evidence of confrma-
tion."
Il would be glad to disbelieve
these charges" said Mr.. Watson. "If
proof is submitted that they are not
true, I would be glad to know they
are not true"
He then added:
81 can and I will show that Off
GERS had men shot with no trial
whatever. can show and will
show that officers told court-mar-
tials what to do in order that the
might keep from be-
ing shot themselves"
Facing the Republicans, Senator
Watson said:
"You make fight on me if you
Continued on Page 81