The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-02-03
LAND, MARYLAND, FEBRUARY 3, 1927.
DEMAND FOR CONOWINGO
PROBE CAUSES HOUSE STIR
Resolution Calls for Appoint
ment of Commission To Inves-
tigate Handling of Project

STATE HOUSE, Annapolis, Md,
Feb. "A Republican move to have
the states handling of the Conowingo
dam project officially investigated
with revival Of Republican allega-
tons, made during Governor Ritchie's
last campaign, caused flare of ex-
citement in the House Of Delegates
today.
A resolution calling for the APP
pointment of a committee of five
House members-three Democrats
and two Republicans-to investigate
the enterprise, was introduced by Del
egate Paul Berman, of the Fourth
Baltimore City District. Appointment
| of counsel to prosecute the investiga-
ton and report its findings to the
House, also is provided for. Parli-
mentary procedure prevented the
reading of the resolution in full before
the delegates, and it was referred to
the Rules Committee.
Reading Blocked
When the heading of the resolution
had been read, in accordance with
routine procedure, Mr.. Berman rose
with request that the full text also
be read. Speaker E. Brooke Lee
ruled that this request was out of
order, inasmuch as such reading would
require unanimous consent of the
} House. Objections to the reading
Immediately We're made from the floor
by several Democrats.
Commenting on his resolution. Mr..
Berman said:
"To my mind, it is of the utmost
Importance that this resolution be
/ adopted, not only for the purpose of
proving or disproving the statements
made rejecting on the good faith of
public officials, but also of removing
any suspicion or reflection from Gov
ernor Richie"
May Affect Presidential Chances.
"As we all know, Governor Richie
/ is one of the foremost candidates for
the Democratic nomination for presi-
dent in 1928. With the charges made
against him in the last campaign, it
will, to my mind, be utterly impos-
sible for him to receive the nomina-
ton in the Democratic convention
unless these charges are disproved.
Under these circumstances, think
the responsibility of Governor Rit-
chie's nomination for the presidency
of the United States rests in the hands
of the House of Delegates, as it is the
only body under tn Constitution of
our state which can make a full and
complete investigation into the whole
affair"
Nothing To Fear.
Governor Richie said:
"The Republican candidate for gov
ernor tried to make an issue at the
election last fall of my approval OF
the Conowingo dam proposition, and
the people of Maryland showed what
they thought about it by electing me
third term with 10000 majority.
must be getting along pretty nicely
if this is all they can rake up against
me-"
Besides the Conowingo resolution
Mr.. Berman introduced bill which
would repeal law now on the statute
books, prohibiting the bringing into
Baltimore City, of electricity gener-
ated by the Susquehanna Power Com
pany.
Mr.. Berman's resolution stated
that many definite statements were
made during the recent gubernatorial
campaign, which reflected on the good
faith of public officials in connection
with the dam project; that the COVER
nor and some of his appointees have
been mentioned in connection there.
with; and that "it is the duty OF
Democrats and Republicans alike tc
have all suspicion of said transaction
removed from those charged, to the
end that they will never again be re-
peated, if found to be untrue and or
the other hand, if found to be true
after an impartial investigation, such
punishment shall be meted out to
those found guilty as might seem
right and proper"
Would Delve Into Contracts.
Inquiry would be made into all con-
tracts between the Susquehanna Pow.
er Company; Philadelphia Electric
Company and affiliated corporations
and any other corporation involved in
the construction of the dam The
amount of money spent by any cor
poration prior to the building of the
dam or the letting of contracts there
for, and all promotion charges, ex-
penses and fees in connection there
with would be investigated.
Investigation also would be m'dc Of
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