Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-29
Willis Sole Defender of At
torney General in WrangIe
Over Selection of Inquiry
Committee Members.
MOVE TO "PACK" PROBE
BODY SEEN BY ROBINSON
Wheeler Charges Attempt by Cab
met Officer to Intimidate Sena-
tors-0hioan Admits Discussing
Personnel Of Investigators With
Accused Official.

Accused Official.
Attorney General Daugherty to-
day became the center of one OF the
bitterest Senate debates in recent
years.
When the resolution for an in
quiry into the Department of Justice
was brought up for action demo-
cratic senators let loose against the
Attorney General an attack bristling
with accusations against his per-
sonal and official acts since he en-
tered the cabinet.
Willis Lone Defender.
Single-handed. Senator Willis of
Ohio. Mr.. Daugherty's home state, at
tempted to stem the tide of criticism
while republican party leaders looked
silently on.
The Ohio senator conceded he had
discussed the makeup of the inves-
tigating committee with the Attorney
General, but insisted there was moth
ing improper in his conduct
nankea 3urn ae% hack a SsIef FORTH
across the chamber as the debate on
the makeup Of the committee pro-
crossed, and the galleries were STIR
red to repeated demonstrations, de-
spite reiterated warnings from the
chair.
May Vote Before Night.
Ire resolution for investigation Of
the administration Of Harry NJ
Daugherty as Attorney General is ex-
pected to be adopted before tonight
and the inquiry will begin next week.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,,
the republican leader. countered with
a proposal for appointment OF the
committee In the customary manner
by the Senate's presiding officer.
Senator Wheeler. democrat, Montana,
author OF the resolution. proposed that
I've senators, three republicans and two
democrats, be elected by the Senate.
The traditions Of the Senate"
Senator Lodge argued. required that
the presiding officer should receive
from the Senate every mark of per-
sonal respect" and should not be
curtailed in his customary privilege
of naming the members Of special
committees.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, the
democratic leader. supported the plan
for election of the special committee
by the Senate, declaring 1T had been
openly declared that efforts were con-
templated to pack the committee"
He added that he had season to be-
the President pro tenn. did not de-
sire to name the committee,
Sees Coolidge Inundated.
Declaring that all he wanted was a
fair and impartial investigation, Sem
ator Wheeler charged that Attorney
General Daugherty had sought to SIN
timidate" senators by saying that II
some of them did not resign he would
have an important statement to
make.
Senator Wheeler also declared the At
torney General already apparently had
intimidated the man at the White House
because we all know that his resignation
would be acceptable to the President
I'VE all know added Senator
Wheeler. that the President for some
unknown reason hasn't the stamina to
ask for that resignation
Wants Fair Inquiry.
Declaring there were peculiar cir
cumstances" demanding that the SEN
ate itself choose the investigating
committee, Senator Wheeler said that
Senator Willis, republican. Ohio, rec
ognized as the Senate spokesman for
Mr.. Daugherty, had gone to President
Cummins and asked him to appoint
certain senators.
"All 1 am asking" said Senator
Wheeler, sis that we have commit
tee that will investigate the Attorney
General in fair and impartial inves-
tigation. All | want is to see that We
have real investigation and that we
will not have men on the committee
who will be constantly consulting
with the man we are Investigating"
Resent Resignation Stand.
The agreement reached late yes
terday for a vote today was con-
strued by some as q reflection of the
dissatisfaction in certain quarters
over the stand taken by the Attorney
General against resigning until after
the investigation has been completed
Although it Is generally understood
that he will retire at the conclusion
of the inquiry, regardless of it's out
come, some of his critics have ex-
pressed the opinion that he should
not be permitted to retain office with
the accompanying opportunity to in
fuence the course of the investiga-
ton.
The inquiry is expected to begin
next week, but those who are seek
ing the immediate retirement of the
Attorney General point out that it
may continue much longer than they
are willing to see him hold Office
It has been made clear that Mr.
Daugherty's absence from the Capt.
tai will not delay the inquiry.
Reads Alleged Interview.
After Senator Wheeler had read a
newspaper article quoting Mr.. Daugh-
erty as declaring eff certain senator's
have not resigned by tonight" he
would have an important statement to
publish, Senator Willis submitted q
telegram from the Attorney General
disclaiming responsibility for any
statement attributed to him.
81 have made no statement and
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