Evening star., 1926-04-16
District Committee Adopts
Resolution of Representa-
tive Gibson Calling for
Probe of Local Affairs.
VETERANS LEGISLATION
BODY UNABLE TO ACT
Lack of Quorum and Objection
Blocks Investigation Move.
Commissioners Reply Is Pre-
vented From Going Into Record
by CARROTS Objection.

BY vote of Q to the House
District committee today. after consid-
ering five resolutions looking to an
investigation of Commissioner Fen.
ning's administration of the guardian.
ships of insane war veterans and for
sweeping investigation of the entire
administration of District affairs.
adopted the resolution of Represent
ative Gibson. Republican, of Vermont,
which calls for the broadest inquiry
toward reporting remedial measures
to correct any administrative abuses
which may be found in the District
government.
While the District committee was
considering these resolutions the
House committee on World War vet
terans' legislation attempted to start
an investigation of the veteran guard
ianships here, in practically all of
which cases Mr.. Fenning IS the
guardian. The veterans committee
was unable to act because of the alb
sence of a quorum and objections by
Representative Luce. Republican, of
Massachusetts.
Immediately after the House met
Representative Madden, Republican,
of Illinois, asked unanimous consent
to print in the Congressional Record
reply from Commissioner Fenning
TO charges against him made on the
floor of the House by Representative
Blanton Of Texas and in various reso-
lutions submitted for congressional in
vestigation and at meetings of the
House District and veterans COM
mittees.
Garrett Raises Objection.
The matter was, temporarily at
least, excluded from the record on the
objection of Representative Garrett,
Democrat, of Texas. Mr.. Madden
told his colleagues that he had a
letter from Commissioner Fenning,
asking permission to insert 1t in the
Congressional Record as an answer
to statements made In the House by
Mr.. Blanton.
Mr.. Madden assured his colleagues
that he knew nothing about the state
ments contained in Mr.. Jennings re-
ply, other than that a reading of them
had shown that they were not unfit
for insertion in the Record. He made
this reply to questions asked by GER
tain members of the House.
Representative Rankin of Missis.
sippi. a member of the veterans com.
mittee, told the House that his com.
mittee Is attempting to hold an in
vestigation of Mr.. Jennings activi.
ties as guardian, and asked why he
could not appear before that com
mittee to make his reply. Mr.. Mad.
den answered that Mr.. Fenning prob.
ably would appear before that com.
n,ittee If invited.
Mr.. Rankin then asked if the state.
ment had been submitted to the mi
N -
veterans committee is experiencing
a great deal OF difficulty in this mat
ter. and commenting that it looks as If
the committee is going to have more
difficulty. He said he thought Mr..
Madden ought not to press his point
until time had been allowed for, 1t
TO be passed upon by the minority
leader.
BlantOn Opposes Plea.
Mfr. Blanton told Mr.. Madden and
the House: You are permitting a
man charged with high crime and
misdemeanors to sit in his office and
draft his own defense with no cross
examination"
Mr.. Blanton asked that he he
allowed time to reply to Mr.. Fenning s
statement.
Chairman Smell of the rules commit
tee asked If Mr.. Blanton had not
already had time to lay charges
against Mr. Fenning before the House.
Mr.. Blanton replied that he had not
had full opportunity and no oppor.
tunity to answer Mr.. Jennings state.
men, but that he would not obpect to
its being inserted in the Record with
the understanding that he would be
allowed time to answer it.
Representative McSwain, Democrat
of South Carolina, declared 1t was his
experience in Investigations that the
more written statements you could get
from those against whom charges are
made. the greater advantage 1t is In
making a CroSs-eXamination.
Mr. Rankin said that the veterans
committee has not been able to get
Afr. Fenning before 1t because 1t be
gins to look as if the committee will
not be able to get a quorum to con
duct an investigation.
Thinks Action Demanded.
Minority Leader Garrett made this
statement: II think that charges have
been made here with regard to this
Commissioner and evidence submitted
in the form of affidavits and sworn
testimony that is sufficient not only tc
justify, but to imperatively demand
All l1NSSllbdtIOII ny SOillC Va
the House, either special or by one OF
the standing committees which IL
oaths and get complete records
for persons and records, to administer
oeths and to get the complete record
which will either condemn or excul
pate the accused"
Mr.. Madden said: II am not try.
ing to cover up anything. l am ir
thorough accord with everything that
has been said about an investigation. u
Representative Lozier of Missouri
told the House: II am open-minded
on this subject and think 1t is the
view Of the membership of this House
that this request should be granted -
Mr.. Madden stated that he does not
set himself for defense in this case
Representative Bulwinkle, Democrat
of North Carolina explained to the
House the action of the veterans com
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