The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-24
COOLIDGE
BILLS To
WAIT
Democrats Attacking Presi-
dent for Opposing Widen
ing of Investigations.
BY JOHN r. LAMBERT,
Cosmopolitan News Service.


The action Of the United States
Senate in sweeping its decks clear
Of Legislation and centering its
efforts almost solely upon the
Investigations of graft and cor
ruption today promises to provoke
one of the outstanding issues of
the coming Presidential campaign.
Four years ago the Senate was
in the heyday of power and popu-
larity. It rejected the League of
Nations after one of the most
memorable struggles in interna-
tional history. It's decision was
sustained by the people by the
unprecedented majority of 7,00O,-
600. It was strong enough to
dominate the Republican conven-
ton and nominate it's own choice
for President.
fractional Fight Bitter.
It IL today harassed by attacks
trom within and without. The
majority members there have been
run off their feet. They tremble
at each new disclosure.
The hard.hitting progressives
have wrested control away from
them repeatedly. The evident need
for the inquiries has been so strong
that at least seventeen seperate in.
vestigations are now in progress.
All Of them were ordered by
unanimous vote. Republicans, In.
dependents and Democrats alike,
took on the responsibility Of at.
tempting to get at the truth Of the
serious charges laid before them.
AS a result, a bitter fractional
light is now in progress which
threatens to open up an irreparable
breach between the Senate and
President Coolidge. The Republican
National Committee is attacking
Congress for yielding to the sense
less clamor" for Investigations.
The Senate is being branded as
''The School for Scandal" Pres
ident Coolidge, in his speech at the
White House newspapermen's bar
Quet, told Congress to keep in its
own orchard. Speaker Gillett, who
nominated Mr.. Coolidge for Pres.
ident at the last convention and
who will probably have the same
honor next June in Chicago took a
pot shot at the Senate in a recent
speech to the alumni Of Amherst, of
which both he and the President
are graduates.
Issue Already Sensed.
The present disposition is to
make the Senate investigations an
adverse issue Of the campaign,
holding the Senate to account for
possible failure to enact construc.
tive legislation and asking the vot-
ers to compare it's record with that
Of the President.
That issue has already been
SenSed by Senator Robinson, the
Democratic leader, whose attitude
seems to be to accept it with pleas
ure.
ut is astonishing" said Robinson
that the President has revealed
what may be properly interpreted
as antagonism and resentment
against the decision to uncover such
harmful abuses Of the public right. :"
Blind, crippled and shell-shocked
victims of the war suffered physical
torment and the agonizing thought
that their country had forsaken
them, while the funds appropriated
for their care by generous public
were squandered in riotous, drunken
debauches by unfaithful public Of
ficers.
Charges $500. 900, 900 Lost.
Uncle Sans naval oil was given
away with reckless abandon by Of
ficials forgetful that some time in
the future it might stand between
victory and defeat for the United
States.
Congressman John NJ. Nelson, Of
Wisconsin, asserts that at least
$800,000,O00 Of public monies has
been lost through graft in airship
ventures.
Delegate Dan Sutherland Of
Alaska asserts that the salmon fish
cries Of the Nation have been pre-
sented to the same private cor
poration which supplied rotten fish
to the soldiers in time Of war.
Congress is now inquiring into
the refund Of income taxes of more
than $500, 100000 to corporations and
individuals suspected of exercising
unjust Influence" in the Govern.
ment.
In the Philippines and Panama,
as well as Alaska, serious trouble
has resulted from the exercise Of
the theory Of certain Government
officials that the public domain and
municipal utilities are legitimate
prey for private gain.