Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-06
SH0PmEN Willing TO
FARLEY; HOPE OF QUICK
END OF RAIL WAlkOuT
QUOTES WEEKS AS
SAYING CONGRESS IS
POOREST IN HISTORY

Washington, July, 5-Delegated
House Democrats to reply to the re-
cent speech of Representative Mon
dell, Wyoming. the Republican lead
er, on the achievements of Con-
gress,'. Representative Byrns of
Tennessee, ranking Democrat of the
appropriations committee, declared
in IAN extension of remarks" to be
printed in the congressional record
tomorrow, that Secretary Weeks,
frankly and bluntly told the truth"
in asserting in an address that Con-
gress had reached it's lowest ell.
"Mr. Weeks is quoted as having
declared In a sudden burst of can
DOR" said Mr.. Byrns, that this Con-
gress, which lis overwhelmingly re
publican, had reached the lowest ebb
in the entire history of the countr--.
Considering his long service. in the
House, the senate and as secretary
of war, testimony coming from such
high Republican source will I'M
doubte dly be accepted in preference
to the biased opinion of Mr.. Mondell,
whose candidacy for the United
States Senate rests upon the record
made by Congress under his leader
ship
Feeling keenly the force of general
criticism leveled against Congress,
said Mr.. Bryns. 'the majority leader
very harshly criticises those who
have seen fit to condemn the pres
ent Congress for its shortcomings
and failure to give evidence of
craftsmanship and keep faith with
the peopie."
Referring to Mr.. Mondell's refer
ence to newspaper editors, Mr.. Bryns
declared the editors could take
comfort in the fact that in such
criticisms they have been no more
harsh than was the distinguished
secretary OF war who holds such a
high position in the present admins
tration, and whose loyalty to the re
publican party not even the gentle
man from Wyoming will deny"
1.-The difference is that the secrc-
tary of war frankly and bluntly told
the truth" Mr.. Byrns added, while
the gentleman from Wyoming was
speaking with the United States SEN
atorship uppermost in his mind"
After a general denial of the
claims put forth by Mr.. Mondell as
to the saving of public funds, Mr..
Byrns declared "one of the most dis
appointing and objectionable fap-
ures" Of the administration was Its
culpable neglect to promptly and
vigorously prosecute the war pro-
titeers."
"For fourteen months the attorney
general took no steps to bring these
profiteers to justice" he said, land
there seemed to be i purpose to let
the statute of limitations run and
! permit at least many Of them to es-
cape criminal a-.d civil liability.
| $50 evident did this become" he
added, that two Republican repre-
sentatives-Woodr and Johnson
| felt it their duty to bring this ne
elect of the attorI ~ general and the
, department of justice to the attcn-
/ ton of congress ar the country
Touching on the failure of the house
to act on the Woodruff Johnson reso-
Tuition TO ran investigation, and the
subsequent appropriation of half a
hillion dollars for war fraud prosecu-
tions, Mr. Byrns declared:
1.-The money asked for was prompt
! ly and unanimously granted. The
gentleman from Wyoming takes credit
for this action, but 7 submit that the
administration, dashed by two mem
bers Of it's own party. who were &C
! tuated by high sense of public duty
can claim little credit therefor. 1t is
a severe reflection of the administra-
ton and the Republican party that
the majority leaders suppressed his
resolution in the rules committee and
refused to permit a public inquiry as
to the causes which Influenced this in
action upon the part of the depart
- s,,-<