Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-15
KELLER FAILS
Continued from Page y

with dramatic suddennes3 and was at
tented by tumult and uproar seldom
Witnessed In congressional commit
tee room. After absenting himself
much Of the day. Mr.. Keller appeared
| with typewriter statement in his
hand and announced that he desired
! to read it to the committee. He was
refused the opportunity. but later
made public the statement, which dealt
IN detail with his reasons for refusing
to go on and embodies demand that
the committee favorably report his res
| olution to the House so that he might
present his evidence ITO an unbiased
committee in the proper way"
II rc:terate now" the statement said.
that I am in possession Of evidence
ample to prove Harry NJ. Daugherty
guilty Of all the high crimes and mis-
demeanors with which I have charged
nim."
Mr. Keller came into the committee
rooms. after brief suspension of the
hearing requested by Jackson S. Rails
/ ton. counsel for Mr.. Keller, SO that he
might confer with the Minnesota rep
resentative. When Mr.. Keller asked
to BIZ heard, Paul Rowland, counsel for
Mr.. Daugherty, demanded that the
committee proceed with the hearing in
the regular order agreed upon unless
Mr.. Keller desired to give testimony, in
which event he should be sworn.
Announcing that he did not have to
| be sworn, Mr.. Keller said his state
ment had to do with thu conduct Of
this hearing" and he demanded the
right to read it.
"is II your object to lecture the COM
mittee:" inquired Representative
Goodykoontz Of West Virginia,
Il may" was the response.
There followed general hubbub
into which Chairman Colstead broke
with direction to Mr.. Keller to "s,t
down."
Il refuse to sit down" shouted the
Minnesota member.
! Il want to read this letter and I
submit it to you now" he went on as
he STROBE rapidly to Mr.. Volstead's
desk upon which he laid the letter.
"Look here" shouted the chairman.
! you haven't any right TO control this
proceeding; the committee controls it,"
! AS Mr.. Keller insisted upon being
heard. he again was ordered by Mr..
Folstead to take his seat.
DO you refuse to hear me?" shout
ed Mr.. Keller.
! We'll. we will have you sworn
YOU can't bullyrag this committee"
The chairman returned
! y: IS improper for you to say that"
reJoined Keller. II will say to YOU
now that If / cannot be heard on this
statement, 1 refuse to proceed any
more in this hearing. Nor do / ex-
pect to present any more evidence. I
am through with You unless I can
present this statement"
That Is just exactly what we ex-
pecfcd from YOU from the start" de-
ciared Volstead. "Mr. Clerk, give US a
;ubpoena for Mr.. Keller and let the
sergeant-at-arms serve it on him. He
IS insulting this committee and try
ing TO run it to suit himself"
Attorney Ralston then announced
that in view of the contents Of the let
ter submitted by Mr.. Keller there is
nothing for me to do but withdraw my
appearance from the committee. which
! d., thanking you for your personal
courtesy to me-"
Representative Yates. Republican,
Illinois. declared that Keller's course
was "a grandstand play. so staged and
! intended"
Several other members broke into
the general discussion to say that the
hearings should go on and that MIR.
Keller should be summoned and re-
! 1uired to tell about his knowledge con-
corning his charges against Mr..
| DauEherty.
| Mr.. Rowland also urged that the
proceedings for forward, declaring the
attorney general had right to demand
il.
Finally the matter was put to a vote
end the motion to continue carried.