Evening star., 1926-04-05
BIanton Declares He Will
Reveal New Facts in
Speech Thursday.
SAYS COMMISSIONERS
..FEES TOTAL 100000
Claims He Has Statement From
D. c. Supreme Court Auditor.
Traffic Issue Raised.

The proposed investigation Of
the administration of Commissioner
Frederick A. Fenning and his con
duct as guardian for more than 100
mentally unsound patients In st.
Elizabeths Hospital. was heatedly
discussed at a special meeting of the
House District committee today.
The subject was brought up by
Representative Reid, Republican. Of
Illinois. Representative Blanton.
Democrat. of Texas, emphatically
stated: 1T is my firm belief that the
Republican steering committee of the
House will, within a week, vote out a
resolution authorizing this investiga-
committee 0he House District com.
mittee) has the power to force
recalcitrant witnesses, / would be In
favor of this committee making the
investigation"
Mr., Blanton then explained that he
has been granted 80 minutes in the
House on Thursday to discuss the
F'enning case.
When l get through speaking on
Thursday" he said, I'm placing some
facts before the House. 1 have no
doubt in the world but that the House
is going TO act"
Declares $500 900 Turned Over.
Mr.. Blanton explained to the Dis
trict committee that he has testi-
mony from the Veterans Bureau that
1t has turned over to Mr.. Fenning,
as guardian, 100000 worth OF prop
erty belonging to insane wards Of
Mr. Ennnffpo of xryhtn Il I
cent and 10 per cent more of the an
nual income.
Mr. Blanton said also that he has
a sworn statement from the auditor
of the District Supreme Court that
he has paid to Commissioner Fem
ming $l09,000 of his wards money
for fees. Representative Hammer,
Democrat, of North Carolina, inter-
rupted to say that Mr.. Blanton could
also show that Mr.. EenninG refused
the commissionership. if he was not
allowed to continue his business as
guardian, because 1t was worth $780,
600 q year income tohfn.
i Mr.. Blanton then told, the District
committee' that its chairman, Mr..
Zihlman, had conference with
Lincoln Townsend, representing the
Republican organization in the Dis
trict of Columbia, at which Chair
man Zihlman had told Mr. Town
send that Commissioner Fenning
must himself ask for an investiga-
ton, and following which Commits
sioner Fenning on the next day
made such an announcement.
That's how this chairman can
get action when he wants to-" said
Mr.. Blanton. ..-..-
Attacks G. O. p. Organization.
Representative Houston. Republican,
of Delaware asked How does the
Republican organization get interested
in this matter?" Mr.. Blanton replied
Something like the Republican or
ganization in Texas--they get some of
the spoilS." s#s5s
Representative Gibson. Republican,
of Vermont had intended to introduce
q resolution for District committee
action today covering the proposed
Fenning investigation, with a wider
scope to investigate other alleged ir
regularities that might be complained
of in the District government. He
cited the question of issuance of
drivers permits, claiming that the
District Commissioners and the traf-
fic director. with nine months knowl-
edge of what Congress intended in
IH6 sLldlIlC dCl, Ut4u JIcI uCIlS a SlIlS
thing to carry out that provision OF
the law and had absolutely set up
their will against the Congress Cf the
United States.
Mr.. Gibson pointed out that the
original provision was for license fee
of 81, with 81 year for annual re-
newal, and that the amendments to
the traffic act now pending before the
Senate after having passed the House,
provide for reissuance at a 81 year
for three years.
Says Fenning Opposed.
Mr.. Gibson charged that in this
way District officials had deliberately
cut off already $4,000 from the Dis
trict revenues and are now trying to
cut off another 100000. He argued
that there should be an annual fee
of 81 for drivers permits, but said
that the traffic director, formally an
A. A. A. officer, advised him that the
A. A. A. would complain against this.
Because there was not time at the
of the committee today. Mr..
Gibson deferred offering his resolu.
ton of investigation but said that he
intends to present 1t to the commit
tee at the meeting next Wednesday.
His resolution is As follows:
Resolved, That the chairman of
the District of Columbia committee
of the House appoint a subcommittee
consisting of five members with au-
fCoptipuad on Pare Q Column 61