The Semi-weekly leader., 1922-03-01
HOUSE STANDS PAT
FOR INVESTIGATION
Charges of Governor Against
Fire Insurance Companies
viii be Sifted.

JdCh5OnS MISS, req. q - uc 1OW-
er House of the Legislature this
morning refused to reverse itself on
the Anderson resolution ordering an
Investigation of the charges against
the fire insurance companies made in
Governor Russelrs special message to
the legislature of last Thursday, in
which the governor charged that the
companies formerly doing business
in the State had fostered and insti-
gated the 100000 damage suit filed
against him by his former stenogra-
pher, Miss Frances Birkhead, alleg-
ing seduction and connivance at cri-
minal abortion.
H BY vote of II to Al the House
tabled the motion to reconsider, filed
by Mr.. Russell of Copiah. The de-
bate was brief. Mr.. Russell appeal
cd to the house not to fritter away
it's time with the proposed inVestiga-
tion, saying it will delay the work
of the session at least thirty days.
He said that the legislature has alb
solutely ignored all of the recon-
mendations contained in Governor
RusselPs biennial session read to
the body early in January and can
we'll ignore this special message.
II do not approve of the Cover
nor's message, and am willing to
vote to expunge that message and
all resolution relating thereto from
the records"
A speech along similar lines was
made by Mr.. Abernathy, after which
the roll was called. The advocates
of the resolution showed a surpris-
ing gain of strength, the adoption on
Friday being by vote of 81 to 43.
Several of the governors strongest
supporters were absent or not vot-
ing.
Speaker Conner states that he will
announce the committee of seven
provided for in the Anderson reso-
luton to conduct the investigation
early Tuesday morning. 1t is known
that Mr.. Anderson, of Washington,
author of the resolution will be one
of the members.
A strong demand is being made
that the committee hold open ses-
sions, admitting representatives of
the press.
A large number of fire insurance
agents, against whom charges were
made in the governors special
message, alleging that they have
large lobby in Jackson, were pres
ent in the galleries and during the
day they sent memorial to the
legislature requesting a fair and
impartial investigation, declaring
their innocence Of any form of wrong
doing.
DAY OF REBUKES TO GOVERNOR
Today's session of the legislature
was a series of rebukes for Governor
Russell, three instances showing a
widening of the breach between the
executive department and the law
making body.
The most notable incident was
the passage by the senate of a bill
prohibiting the governor from grant
ing pardons on the recommendation
of the superintendent of the peniten-
tiary or the prison board of trus-
! tees.
This measure, by Senator Nixon
of Pike, was framed, introduced, call
ed up in committee of the whole, and
passed by vote of 29 to 4. 1t was
provoked by the governors action in
granting parodn last week to Leon
ard Allmand.
RUSSELL PROBE DELAYED.
The Clarion-Ledger of this morn
ing says that slaughter of the state
officers and employees occupied the
time AMI attention of the House yes
terday to the exclusion of the Rus
sell-Birkheadfire insurance investi-
cation and no developments were no
ted in this line. Speaker Conner did
not announce the special probe COM
mittee of seven but has been giving
the decision of the supremely impor-
tant question long and careful con-
sideration. He stated last night that
he would expect to announce the
committee today. 1t has been under
stood that representative Sam v. An
derson of Washington county, author
Of the original resolution to inquire
into the governors charges against
the fire insurance agents, will be
member of the committee.
Naming of the investigating com
nittee today will make probable
meeting of the probers this afternoon
and tonight. Should this material
ize 1t is to be expected that Govern
or Russell will appear before this
special body within the next twelve
hours and be asked to give first proof
of his grave charges against the rep
resentatives of the fire risk interests
that they have "fostered, aided and
abetted" the seduction suit filed by
Miss Birkhead, his former stenogra-
pher in which the girl demands dam
ages in the amount of $100,0
1t is doubtful that the general pub
lie will be admitted to the sittings
of the probing committee but senti-
ment prevails that representatives Of
the press will be invited and be CIV
en- the opportunity to publish full
account Of the proceedings from day
to day.