Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-10

Washington, April 9.-The peace
of the senate special committee in
vestigating the internal revenue bur-
eau was shattered today when Sem
ator Couzens, Republican, Michigan.
was joined by committee Democrats
in a successful effort to employ
Francis J. Heney of California, at the
Michigan senator's expense as spec
ial counsel to conduct the commit
tee inquiry.
The resolution went through, three
to two, despite the reiterated pre-
diction of Senator Watson. Republl-
can, Indiana. chairman and Senator
Ernst. Republican. Kentucky. that
the appointment of Heney, famous
for many years as public prosecu-
tor, meant another senate muck
raking expedition" and Senator
Ernsts declaration that it was aimed
by Senator Couzens at Secretary Mel
Ion because the secretary had
spanked" the senator in their re-
cent public tax controversy.
Senators King of Utah and Jones
of New Mexico, were the Democrats,
who voted with Senator COuZens. 1t
developed in the committee discus
sion that the first suggestion for a
committee counsel had come to Sem
ator Couzens from Senator Jones,
when he had observed Senator CouZ-
ems said, me floundering around
here" and getting no where with the
inquiry.
When it was brought out that Sen
ator Couzens, one of the richest
men in the senate, proposed to pay
all Heney's expenses in connection
with the investigation. Senator
Ernst sharply questioned the pro-
priety of that action. Senator Jones.
however, defended Senator CouZens'
action and Senator King appeared to
take the same view.
The Heney employment resolution
landen on the committee table like
a bombshell so far as Senator Wat
son was concerned. He bluntly de-
clared that he knew Heney well
enough" to know that the hearing
would be turned into a muck
raking" If Heney was given "a
chance" Senator Watson asked Sem
ator Couzens why he had consult
ed with Democratic committee men,
bers on his plan and not with his
Republican colleagues"
Senator Couzens replied that he
recognized no Republican or other
colleagues" when he was going af-
ter government business"
''They all look alike to me-" he
said.
Senator Couzens admitted that he
had resented" firm the first the ap-
pointment of four members of the
busy finance committee to compose
the investigating committee with
himself. He left the inference that
he considered this an attempt to
hamper the investigation and charg-
ed specifically that Senator Ernst
had tried to block" his efforts in
the committee. The Michigan sena-
tor conceded. however. that Chair
man Watson had not sought to curb
the hearings thus far had.
This work is not going to be
stopped" Senator Couzens declared
heatedly. Il do not propose to be
blocked. sidetracked. or diverted by
any senator or group of senator's"
Senator Watson said he regarded
1t as "a little unfortunate" that Sen
ator CouZens' resolution to investi-
gate the bureau had come on the
heels of his public controversy with
Secretary Mellon. The Indiana SEN
ator suggested that this had given
the committee proceedings the ap-
pearance Of being aimed at Mr.. Mel
Ion in reprisal.
Senator Ernst asserted that the
committee proceedings thus far had
produced nothing more than was
generally known as to tax collection
difficulties. adding that the charges
Of corruption or irregularities and
favoritism In the bureau had looked