The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-21
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officers in the future from leasing
reserve lands.
do you think any Government
officer would dare to lease any
more reserves after the establish
ment of your policy in the Walsh
resolution" interjected Littleton.
Cites Precedents.
well, the leasing law hasn't been
changed by the resolution and these
officials did lease the reserves re-
torted Adams.
But what has the committee 20
investigate now" asked Littleton.
The query was not answered and
Lttleton continued his argument,
assailing the authority Of the COM
mlttee, citing numerous legal cases
in support Of this contention.
Littleton held that the right of
Congressional committees to sub
poena witnesses and their records
and books has never been sus-
tanned"
He declared this right was bind
ing only in Impeachment trials and
in cases where judicial power Is
specifically set forth under the Con-
stitution."
Finally Walsh interjected:
"1f your contention Is correct no
Congressional committee can go
ahead with the present investiga-
tons. We might as well close up
and quit"
1.-The committees might as we'll
quit unless they kept within their
well defined powers"
SIS your contention" asked Sen
ator Spencer, that having legis-
lated. Congress has no power to
investigate to legislate more WISE
ly?"
Certainly not" shouted Little
ton, when it depends upon the
intelligence and resources of its
committee members. But it has no
right to take me away from my
business for weeks at a time to
teach you how to legislate."
Senators Are Shocked.
The Senators to a man sat up
rigidly in their chairs when they
heard that.
Said Senator Adams Dem) of
Colorado: IF we have the right to
consider the facts to act more
wisely then it inevitably follows
that we have tho right to call for
certain facts to help us, including
the summoning of witnesses to OBJ
tain these facts. This it seems to
me. is legislative as well as a
judicial power"
you have the right only in a
legislative way" retorted Littleton
THE question is, can we call
witnesses to obtain facts to assist
| us to legislator" said Walsh.
Force Is Barred.
you can't get 1t by force.
absolutely assert that"
Nor by subpoena"
mo. for that is by force,''
answered Littleton.
Sinclair At Ease.
Sinclair leaned back comfortably
while Littleton delivered his state
ment. idly examining the fit Of a
pair Of new spats. winding his wrist
watch and blowing smoke rings.
Under questioning by Walsh. Lit.
Teton outlined the particular in.
stances in which he thought Con
gressional committees had the
power to demand witnesses to tes
tify.
There were, he said, Impeachment
expulsion, contested elections and a
few others where the committee Is
granted quasi-judicial power"
You say we have no right to in
vestigate in this case?" asked
Walsh.
II assuredly do and l have cited
cases to show that you haven't"
But Senator has been shown
to hold oil stocks" interjected Sen
ator Dill (Dem.) Of Washington.
you aren't investigating a Sen
ator in this case"
IT am not so sure about that, u
said Dill
Littleton said the committee had
power to Invite" persons to come
before 1t with advice, but had nc
more power to exercise judicial func.
tons "than the directors Of a
bank"
Much time was consumed dis,