Evening star., 1926-04-16

Right Rev. G. H. 8. WALPOLE. d. d.,
Lord Bishop Of Edinburgh.
should consider only legislative pro-
posals referred to II by the House.
Mr.. Hammer contended that any
member Of the committee had a right
to ask for an investigation. He de-
clared that he has evidence that Mr..
Fennine had improperly collected fees
not allowed by law. which he had not
accounted for. He challenged Mr..
Fenning TO bring suit against him and
said he would divest himself Of the
immunity allowed him as a member
Of Congress. Mr.. Hammer declared:
II stand ready to prove II and dare
him to give me an opportunity"
Mr.. Houston explained that he held
no brief for Mr.. Fenning but con.
tended that the resolutions had been
referred to another committee and
that the District committee cannot as
sumo Jurisdiction.
not the least doubt but that the DIS.
trict committee itself under the Con.
stitution has full authority TO make
any investigation pertinent to the
District of Columbia. He "a i'd he
doubts II any action can be had from
the House now on this case. but that
the committee should 60 ahead with
the inveStigs ton as fer az possible
and when II reached witnesses who
refused to testify should then 90 to
the HouBe and get authority TO force
these witnesses.
Says Conditions inteierab,e,
He declared that the present stu.
alton here in the District Is ''intol-
era Bile" He described Edward F..
Collsday as tho Republican political
factotem here in the District" Mr..
Bla nton declared that there has been
400 much politics and not enough
religion in the entire ma tier. nd "a id
ne wants to know right now il the
committee is going to let politics en-.
ter into this matter He said that
he had laid before the House a Ger
tihcate from the head of the Vet.
erans Bureau that he had psid to
Mr.. Fenning $733.0O0 OF veterans
money, and statement from Audi
tor Davis OF the District court that
he had paid Mr. Fenning s1O9 900 In
fees.
MIR. Blanton Sked IL the committee
thought the matter should be hushed
up because 'MTA Fenning is a Repub.
lican." Mr.. Ratlfbone Of Illinois made
a point OF order.
Mr.. Blanton continued to argue that
the committee cannot send TO the
Laurel Sanitsrium or - miles over
In Virginia and compel witnesses to
appear, and no when it reaches the
point where 1t desires such witnesses
1t must so to the House and ask the
tn ruyffr
I'VE ought TO sit in this investiga-
tion because the people demand IT. .
Mr.. Blanton said. You will hear
from this in every State in the Union
We ought not 10 try to cover II up"
Point IL Ovevruied.
Chairman Zihlman overruled The
point of order made by Mr.. Houston.
Mr.. Hammer modified his resolution
which containsA a request TO the
House TO era mt special powers TO the
committee to pursue the investigation.
Mr.. Hammer said he does not include
the judicial ONCE in the subject mat
ter Of the investiga ton. He express
ed the thought that when the court
is attacked II ought to he investigated
by the judiciary committee, where all
the members are lawyers and more
familiar with the situation. He de-.
clared that he knows or no cha rye
against the District courts and ni.
dietary.
Mr.. Houston renewed his ella i'm
that no committee of the House can
hold an Investigation per sc. hut can
be given authority by the House
IF we intend u Investigate Mr.
FenniDe, we should go TO the House
and aek power to make an investiga
tion that will be satisfa ctory-and I
am not saying he shouldn't be in
vestigs
Mr.. Gibson said that his resolution
was broad. including the courts. nd
specifically the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Hammer questioned whether
MIR. Gibson thought the committe ee
had sufficient Evidence before IL Ia
justify attacking a judicial ONCE, and
Mr.. Gibson replied: IT do not" He
explained that a personal investiga
tfon gets nowhere. but that " an in
vestiga tion Of a condition Ia made the
committee can report corrective mea q.
ures.
Favors Gibson Resolution.
Mr.. RathbOne expressed preference
for the Gibson resolution. explaining
that the Mcleod resolution names
specific things to be Investigated. thus
presumab bly,. under legal practice. ex-
Guiding all others. Mr.. Rathbone re-
minded his collea CUES on the com
mittee that I'VE are here for construc-
tive work and to get light to enable us
to pass legislation Of benefit to the
greatest number Of people. Politics
has absolutely no place in this IN
vestiga ton
Representative Gilbert Of Kentucky
stated that Mr.. Blanton had made
serious and sensa tionai charges
against Frederick A. F'enning as a
District Commissioner. He said that
the Mcleod resolution is merely a
hint to the committee that 1t has not
functioned and should be given an op-
portunity to function. He expressed
the opinion that there has been too
much fuss and feathers" about the
entire subject and too many speeches
made nd not enough action. He said
that repeated laudations Of Chairma n
Madden OF the appropria tions COM
mittee in this discussion were all
"tommyrot." Mr.. Gilbert offered an
other resolution to he adopted as q
substitute. which was favored by Mr..
BIanton. The various resolutions were
then voted upon In order and the
Gibson resolution adopted by a vote
Of 3 to 4.
Seven Of ?2 Members Attend.
The World War veterans legisla-
ton committee was called to order by
Chairman Royal c. Johnson Of South
Dakota about II o'clock. with only
Z out Of the 20 committee members
present Representative Rankin of
Mississippi intimated he did not know
whether there was an attempt At q
filibuSter or not. He urged that the
investigation be forced through. and
all agreed II was o matter OF great
importa nee. MIR. Luce. however. stuck
TO his point Of order. and the clerk
wea ordered to round up any absen-
fAnu that could hA Inca tad