Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-25
SENATOR FERNALD DECLINES

Senator Fernah has reasons for
refusing to serve on the committee
TO investigate the matter of expen-
ses in Pennsylvania Senatorial
primary campaign.
First he Is not in sympathy with
the investigation-there are others
hke-minded-then there Is no legal
authority to subpoena witnesses and
only those who care to testify will
do so.
He then comes to a very important
feature-nothing has come from
these Investigations in the past ten
years, though 1t costs the govern
ment 100000 per hour to conduct
them.
He illustrates this from out his
own experience. when he was a
member Of a committee to investi-
gate the U. S. Housing Corporation
Here is what he says of that:
Although uncovered destructive
waste in the corporation nothing was
ever done about 1t, and the cost of
the investigation was absolutely
wasted"
This IS rather disquieting,
Such a result bespeaks impotence
somewhere In Washington and the
L. S. SeSate appears somewhat
Involved in 1t.
We wish Senator Fernald had
somewhere found what appeared to
be a remedy, but we respect his
honesty in not assuming to have
done 80. 1t seems to be even
easier to find political cure all
than a patent medicine, but a great
deal more difficult to find any cures
resulting therefrom.
1t is comparatively easy matter
to prescribe commissions for this
and that. but testimonials of relief
they may bring are extremely rare
However, they do afford fat jobs for
few choice personages at public
expense.
But IS the United States Senate
helpless to withstand inroads from
members corruptly placed there?
it was instrumental In making an
end Of Newberry's political ambi-
tions. though, in the light Of sub
sequent developments he looks to
have been rather a scapegoat than
|notably Ubiquitous.
/ Undoubtedly Senator Fernald IS
Icorrect in his assumption that
Epolitics is back of this proposed
investigation rather than any right
eous indignation. Ones imagination
would be severely taxed to conceive
Of one conducted by a political body
that was not promoted by a like
Incentive. The oil investigation was
notorious In that respect, was con-
Quoted with an obvious purpose to
make political capital. 1t is not to
the credit of the Senate or those
conducting 1t, that such methods
were tolerated. Nevertheless the
public now is convinced that an
Investigation was needed and is
wondering why the results are so
pitifdlly inadequate. More politics?
Possibly Pennsylvania campaign
does not need investigation: posi-
bly, 1t does, we cannot know, how
ever, from anything the Senate will
do. according to Senator Fernald,
and we do not question his con-
illusion and do admire his frankness.
10 there no way the public may be
spared the cost and cussedness
incident to Investigations that pro-
duce no good results? Is it impos-
sible to have properly conducted
Investigations of matters that really
need investigation and proper dis
posal Of the case that is investigated?
Evidently we may not confidently
look to politicians for this. not even
TO that distinguished body, the
United States Senate. Then to
whom. pray?
Perhaps to ourselves. Pennsylva-
mans must have a pretty good idea
whether they heve nominated a SEN
ator corruptly. whether others
involved in the struggle are also
tarred with the same stick. Are
they helpless. or must they go on
supporting that kind Of leadership?
One thing Is plain as a pikestaff.
no State should depend on the
United States Senate to determine
when 1t has chosen a suitable repre-
sentative for that body. However,
the Senate isn't an exception among
bodies and potentates political; we
viii do much better to attend to
such matters ourselves. in so far as
possible.