The Washington times., 1922-05-12
INFLUENCE
IS SEE n As
DELAYING
D. 6. PROBE
Congressman Woodruff and
Johnson Insist on Early
Action by paugherty.
BY cosnspoi,t.s New. Service.

Both Democrats and RepubH-
cans Of such high rank and in
nuence arc involved in the stu
pendous war graft that neither
party IS anxious for action that
would bring q thorough probe and
criminal prosecution, according to
gossip heard In reliable circles.
Evidence Is being gathered, Il
was learned today, to show that
q "war fraud trust existed, op-
Grated by an invisible govern
ment. which, it Is claimed, prac-
tically dictated affairs in Wash
ington during the war and. oper-
ating as q "war. graft trust" dis
tributed war graft among higher
ups amounting to millions Of dol
lars.
Documents Collected.
Documents are being collected to
link together the activities Of a
prominent Democratic politician
who was close to former President
Wilson, as one Of the moving forces
In the invisible government"
High officials connected with Che
present Administration are also
seriously involved, according to
documentary evidence.
Chairman 1MondeIl. Of the Senate
Appropriations COMMITTEES. has in
formed Congressman Woodruff of
Michigan, who introduced q joint
resolution with Congressman John.
son OF South Dakota calling for O
sweeping investigation of war
frauds and the alleged iaxity of
the Department Of Justice IN pros
ecuting them. that the committee
will first dispose Of the army and
navy bills before taking up the war
scandal measure.
I'VE are willing to wait until
the army and navy bills are dis
posed of, but we serve warning
now that after that we will brook
no further delay. We want action
and speedy action"
Both Republicans.
Congressman Woodruff and Con-
gresham johnson are both Re-
publicans. They are also ex-service
men, and they demand unrelenting
prosecution Of the higher-ups in
volved in the robbery, of the Gov
ernment, regardless Of whom the
investigation hits.
IT do not believe the Republican
party can face the people of the
country in the coming election II
we cannot do something to clean
up this thing. 1t smells to high
heaven" said Woodruff today.
Agahn discussing the letter Of
Attorney General Daugherty TO the
IN NKyhf hn
stated the Department Of Justice
was proceeding regularly on war
graft cases, Woodruff called atten.
tion to the case of the American
Electric Products Company.
1.-THE Attorney General carefully
refrained from mentioning the
American Electric Products Com.
pany," said Woodruff.
This company, a Canadian, con:
cern, contracted with the United
States Government during the war
for the erection OF plant Ft
Shawinigan Falls, Canada, f6f the
production of glacial acetic acid. II
also provided for a loan Of $780,
600 from the Government--the
plant TO remain the property Of
the contractors for all time.
I'm December, 1920, former Sec.
retary Of War Newton ID. Baker re.
quested an opinion OF the Attorney
General as to the validity OF the
contract, declaring that it's provi.
slons as to obligations upon the
part Of the Government were 20
wasteful and extravaEant, and in
view Of the location Of the plant IN
a foreign country 30 inimical to
the intsrssY Of the United States