Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-09
FENNING ATTACKS
PUT INTO RECORD.
Members Of House Extend
Their Remarks, Although
Away From Capital.

Although Congress has adjourned
and the members are scattered to all
parts Of the country individual mem,
hers continue their attacks upon Com.
missioner Fenning, under leave to ex.
tend their remarks in the Congress.
donal Record.
Representative Richard Yates, Re.
publican Representative at large. rom
Illinois, a member Of the judiciary
committee which considered the nm
detachment charges against Mr.. Fen
ming, has filed another minority re-
port, which makes eight reports 10
the House from the judiciary COM
mittee.
Representatives Bulwinkle of North
Carolina. 3 member Of the veterans
committee, and McSwain of South
carolina, both former service men,
comment on the .Fenning case IN ex-
tension Of their remarks.
Would Have Him Retire.
Mr.. Yates reaches the following
Conclusion:
sour inquiry concerning Frederick
"A. Fenning does, In my opinion, dis
close conditions requiring the atten-
Mr.. Fenning, as committee or.
guardian, visited st. Elizabeth's about
once it two weeks and saw some OF
his wards. These wards were Of the
class who needed the kind and con-
siderate corporations and sympathy Of
their committee. They are wrecks Of
the storm of war. An unmistakable
duty rests upon every one charged
with their care to give their every
need sympathetic attention. The duty
.Vsrx 70 h0 rrR A.
not service that means financial re-
turn to the committee. The actuating
motive of the committee should be to
render that service.
the manner in which Mr.. Fenning
secured his business, the gross
amount of fees he charged and re.
ceived out of the estates Of insane
veterans under his care; his contin-
uance In the practice Of law and in
the handling of estates Of more than
hundred wards since he became
Commissioner: his method of writing
his own bonds, receiving q. portion
of the premiums and still charging
the same to thesestates Of his wards;
his attitude toward the. enforcement
of laws passed by Congress relating
TO the District OF Columbia, and the
consequent loss OF confidence In him
on the part of the public, makes his
continuance in. ONCE incompatible
with the best interests of the Dis
tHct."
BuIwinlxle States Views.
Representative BuiwinIle, In ex-
blaming the provisions Of the World
War veterans legislation. insists that
Commissioner Fenning should be re
moved from Office. He says
''I regret that Frederick A. Fenning,
d Commissioner OF the District Of Co
umbia, and guardian or committee
Tor o number Of mentally incompetent
World 5 War veterans undergoing
treatment at ST, Ellzabethss Hospital,
was not impeached or removed from
.exUrbitant commissions he has re-
|oeiyed from the estates of his WARDS
who are World War veterans some
|thing over 100000 during the last
| etx or seven years. His attitude mas
heAn. 90 It seems, from the hearings
before the veterans, affairs committee,
one Of complete indifference to the
welfare of the unfortunate men WHO
are his wards.
"Under the mandate % ane pL s'.ss
r,nna 81 II. r. 12f75 the director aof
the Veterans Bureau must remove
him as COMMITTEES III all the numerous
cases with which he Is now 0nnected
except five. Notwithstanding the fact,
Naat remedial legislation has been en-
Mted the conduct of Mr.. Fenning
toward these unfortuftate veterans is
inexcusable, and the President OF the
TTnited States should remove MIN
from his Office as q Commissioner Tor
the District of Colunbia.
Called Fenning FiAscO.
REPRESENTATIVE McSWain discusses
what he terms "the Fenning fiascc.
sStripped Of all its technicalities and
refinemsnts and the cloud of judicial
decision. If a Commissioner OF the
District OF Columbia is not subject to
imheacllmeut, certainly the Constitu-
tion has run us into blind alley. The
Constitution gives Congress exclusive
legislative jurisdiction over the Dis
nict of Columbia.
"In the exercise OF this exclusive
sovereign power the Congress has set
up 4 commission form Of government
ana has provided that the Connis-
Tioners may be appointed by the Presi-
dent. together with the advice and
consent Of the Senate, Congress
makes the law and Congress gives
the power to the President, SUBJ