The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-25
R D v
HOLDS Up
HEARING
HefIin Objects to Method of
Chairman Moses With
Witness.

A sharp quarrel today between
Senator Helm DemD Of Alabama
and Senator Moses RepD Of Yer
mont, temporarily held up the in
vestigation by q Senate subccm-
mittee Of charges that thousands Of
persons were mulcted Of millions Of
dollars by fraudulent use OF the
mails in the Rio Grande valley land
development in Texas.
Helm gave notice that he would
carry the wrangle to the Senate
floor.
The quarrel arose over Hefiin's ef-
forts to prevent counsel for r. B.
Creager Rep), national committee
man from Texas and one of the ac-
cused principals in the investigation.
from asking certain questions Of the
witness before the committee, Rush
D. Simmons, chief postoffice en-
spector, while James r. Page, unof-
fetal prosecutor for the committee
was trying to question Simmons.
Senator Moses, the committee
chairman, overruled Helm and told
the witness to ask the five questions
for which he pleaded.
Counsel for Creager has no right
to ask such questions" Helm OBJ
jected.
"All right" said Moses, If he
NHH~ - -
to ask any witness questions when
ever 1t sees tit. Now Ito George
Hill, Creager's COUNSEL. you write
out your questions and I'll ask
them"
Hill began to do so and Moses
then suggested:
tons and Ill refer them to Mr.. Sim
mons"
I'VE won't be blocked" Helm
| said. "in trying to make this inves-
tigation follow its course. l object
floor-to the chair having any such
cross-cut arrangement with Mr..
Hill"
1.-THE chair has no cross-cut ar.
rangement with Mr. HILL" Moses
on the table"
II refer to this method Of asking
questions for Mr.. HILL"
That's the chairs right and
shall exercise that right"
"All right" Helm shouted above
the din, Mr.. Stenographer, make
note Of the fact that Mr.. Helm
intends to take this matter to the
flor ~ the Genaf0
Quiet was restored and Hill put
his questions. which Moses in turn
reiayed to Simmons by a nod Of
the head.
Had Mr.. Simmons been inform
ed" Hill asked, that James r.
Page. now prosecutor in this case.
was a fugitive from Justice in
Texa--,, having left upon tho return
Of eight indictments against him,
and after the filing Of disbarment
proceedings againts him?"
Simmons said he had SUCH know
edge generally.
Hill then asked IL Simmons knew
Page had obtained the filing Of
blanket charges against the Texas
meetings melting farmers to sign pc
SAtIOiIo, even IL luCy "OIS GIUl uc-
frauded. Simmons said ne had such
general knowledge.
Hills other questions were either
technical or identified by Moses as
matters Of opinion"
Heflin got from Simmons that
some Of this general information"
came from Crager.
When Hill finished and the con-
troversy was stilled, Page got up
and said in a voice rising ever
higher and higher until paSerssby in
the corridor stopped to discover the
cause Of the excitement, that the
charges against him all were q re.
suit Of Crager's activities. and that
as receiver for the w. f. Stewart
Land Company and its immediate
associates.
When Page finished he was nearly
screaming. He sank back into his
chair. and in a voice cracked with
emotion asked some one to hurry
and get him q glass Of water.
The proceedings halted for several
minutes until the atmosphere
cleared.