The Washington times., 1922-12-16
DAUCHERTYQU
HELD Up BY
KELLER
Committee Is Baked by His
Refusal to Testify at
Hearing.


Congressman Oscar e. Keller OF
Minnesota, failed again today to
put in his appearance before the
House Judiciary Committee to give
evidence in support of his impeach.
ment charges against Attorney
General Daugherty.
jackson Ralston, Keller's counsel,
appeared to argue why Keller
should not be called to testify
under oath. as demanded by the
committee.
Graham Starts Row.
Before Ralston could proceed
Congressman Graham Of Penn
sylvania, demanded whether Keller
was present. Congressman Thomas
Of Kentucky, objected and there
was a sharp colloquy between the
two Congressman.
The COMMITTEES, on motion OF Con
gressman Bird of Kansas, had the
sergeant-at-arIns call Keller, but
he did not respond.
Ralston argued the committee had
exceeded it's constitutional authority
in demanding Keller's attendance
and testimony under oath, with the,
threat Of contempt in refusing.
Chairman Volstead said the sum-
mons was issued by the Speaker and
the contempt was Of the House and
not Of the committee, and the House
was Judge Of the conduct Of its men,
bers. The duty Of the committee
was to report to the House, he said.
nrnh n ~ In Al
munities to Congressmen did not in
clude exemption from duty to testify
before House committees when
formally summoned.
Claims Right TO Enforce.
I'VE have the right and power to
compel the attendance OF Keller and
his testimony under OATH" Graham
said. He has made serious charges
against high official of the Govern
ment. He must have had some basis
for these charges. We have a right
to demand the facts In his posses
sion, with names Of informants. We
should report his refusal to obey the
summons to the House for It's ac-
tion."
Effective determination of what
shall be done in connection with
Keller and his refusal to testify
must rest with the House. Con-
gressman Summers, Texas, argued,
and announced his willingness to
60 along with the committee In
making report to the House.
to submit to Keller's charges that
1t ID unfair we must take the mat
ter back to the House." declared
Congressman Jeffries Rep.), Ne
braska. "I have not seen any
whitewash pals around here, but
the House can decide that Ques-
ton"
Suggests Delay.
Congressman Foster, Ohio, sug-
gested that all measures to secure
KeIler's appearance had not been
exhausted, and a delav Monday be-
fore drastic action was taken might
be wise.
An. immediate report OF aIl facts
In the matter to the House for its in
structions and decision wns urged by
Congressman Goodykoontz, of West
Virginia.
III the House wants us to 20 ON
with this Investigation 1t will SO
order" he said.
Chairman volstead said he had re-
ceived information from Congress.
man Woodruff of Michigan, that he
would be ready to submit facts con.
corning war fraud prosecution delays
early next week, and he suggested
waiting for this testimony. Con-
gresemnn johnson OF South Dakota
has been asked. also, to appear be-
fore the committee.
Congressman Dominick of South
Carolina asked II in hearing Wood
ruff the committee was going into
another general Investigation OF war
contracts similar to that made by q
special House committee more than
q year ago. Vblstead said II would
not, and would deal only with such
inattere n bore on the Daugherty
impeachment charges. l7
After wrangling for two hours,
the committee adjourned until Mon
DAY without deciding what will be
pear. =
The ssaminatiqn Of other Wit.
nes:es Y schedul4a = 70 he resumed