Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-03
HOUSE IN UPR0AR
OVER GOV. RELY
Porto Rican Delegate De-
mands Investiga-
ton.

The House was thrown into an up
roar late yesterday by demands for
congressional investigation look
ing to the ousting of Gov. Z. Mont
Reilly of Porto Rico, made by Felix
Cordova Davila. the resident COM
missioner. and by counter charges
from Representative Tincher of Kan
sas that Mr.. Davila's luminosity"
against Reilly was aroused because
the latter had vetoed legislation
which would have given Mr.. DaviIa
$4,000 year for four years, in addi-
ton to his salary as resident COM
missioner.
The fiare-up over the row between
the governor and some of the resi-
dents came at the, conclusion of an
hours speech by Mr.. Davila, who sits
as delegate in the House
Many Charges Made.
The American Governor of Porto
RICO was pictured by the speaker as
an intimidator of the judiciary, a
trafficker in public office ana a man
without standing in his home country.
He gave a long list of specific rea-
sons which, he said. prompted the
people he represents to urge him to
demand congressional investiga-
tion only after the Harding admin
istration was given free opportunity
to act"
Mr.. Davila. who Is a member of the
unlonist party Of the island, expressed
the belief that if Gov. Reilly should be
called cafe. as a witness before an in
veStigating committee "he. himself,
Will be the best evidence Of the jus
tice of our demand for his removal !"
He told the House that while he
oel1sved President Harding made a
mistake mist p,. In appointing him. he knew
and therefore the appointment was
not made knowingly or with the
least malice toward the people of
Porto Rico" He added, however,
that we have exhausted all of our
! means to obtain the removal of the
governor by the administration"
Fourteen Charges Detailed.
Briefly, the charges against Gov.
Reilly by the resident commissioner
are:
First-That in 1909, following an
investigation by a post office inspec-
tor, the Post Office Department di-
rected the postmaster at Kansas City,
ant postmaster.
second--That in 1904 he was in
vestfgated and recommended for re-
moval as assistant postmaster for
having made alleged false affidavits
ana for having caused certain sour
riious articles to be published in the
public press about prominent citizens
of Kansas City
Third-That he has appointed as
chief OF the secret service of Porto
Rieo an illiterate Kansas City. Mo-,
jailer. who was removed in Kansas
City for incompetency.
Fourth-That his administration
as Governor of Porto Rico has been
succession of insults to the peo-
pie and that almost overnight he
transformed the island from a land
of peace and happiness into a hotbed
OF dissension and despair
Fifth-That he has removed from
office without just cause competent
officialsl with long experience and
appointed in their stead men lack
ing in the necessary qualifications
Intimidation Charged.
sixth-That in an effort to force
confirmation of his appointments.
with the advice and consent Of the
senate. he has endeavored to intimi-
date members of the Porto Rican
senate by threatening to have the
government at Washington annul the
organic act.
Seventh-That by false statements
and unwarranted accusations in pub
lie speeches he has endeavored to
stir up strife among the loyal and
patriotic people Of Porto Rico.
Of the law. he has reappointed to
office men who had been definitely
rejected by the senate.
Ninth-That he has announced he
will receive 100000 during the next
four years in office. whereas the sal
Tenth-That he has unlawfully in
terferred with the courts Of justice
and attempted to intimidate the
to bring the courts and the judiciary
of the island into disrepute.
Eleventh-That in his public speech
Sc, dn utter disregard Of the feelings
and sentiments Of the citizens Of the
island. he denounced the flag of Porto
Rico as dirty rag"
Removal OF Judge Protested.
Twelfth-That he has brought
about the removal from office Of Judge
Bonner, the able and efficient auditor
of Porto Rico, and numerous other
trained and competent officials, and
appointed in their stead men lacking
in experience.
George S. Mcclure of Kansas City.
Mo-. a man without education, as
chief of the secret Service, and that
one of the first acts of Mcclure after
his arrival in the island was to tear a
Porto Rican flag into shreds and to
trample it beneath his feet.
Fourtee nth-That one of his prin-
cipal associates and counselors is the
leader of the socialist party. who
has proclaimed himself a champion
Of the soviets Of Russia. and who also
has announced his afi1liation with the
third internationale Of Moscow, and
who has been most ribald in his at
tack upon the teachers of the Chris
tan religion. The governor in his
tour OF the island publicly embraced
this man and repeatedly referred to
him as the type Of citizen with whom
he proposed to counsel while he re-
manned Governor Of Porto Rico.
Should Welcome Investigation.
president Harding, Gov. Reilly and
Mr.. Davila should court full in
vestigation by Congress- said Mr..
Tincher, who followed the commits
sioner. while do not know Reilly
personally. 1 have been advised that
he represents the sentiments of the
best element in Porto Rico"
Declaring that the charges by
Davila showed Rei1y's gross unfit