Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-17
PROBE QUESTION
UP AIANNAPOL|S
Whether Committee viii IN
cIude Senators Is to-.
Be Decided.
BY WILLIAM ]. WHEATLEY,


STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, Md,
January l7.-While plans have been
made by the Democratic majority or the
House Of Delegates of the Maryland
General Assembly, In session here, TO
convene on Wednesday. the grand in
quest committee, the supreme inquisi-
torial body of the State provided for by
the constitution, there Is some doubt in
the minds of the leaders as to whether
the body of the lower house can proceed
alone, or whether the committee must
include members of the Senate. While
the first part Of the section providing
for the appointment of the committee
deals with the House. 1t also provides
for appointment of a standing COM
mittee" of the two houses with almost
similar powers.
The plans have been formulated by
the House. and Francis p. Curtis, dele
gate from the second legislative district
of Baltimore City, chairman OF the COM
mittee, has written to the special courl-
sci urging them to accept the appoint
ment. In the meantime the question as
to the right to proceed with senatorial
representation has been referred 10
Thomas Fl. Robinson, attorney general,
for an opinion as to the meaning OF the
section providing for appointment OF
this inuuisitorial body. House leaders
frankly admit that they do not know,
but If the attorney general rules that
the Senate must be included, then
comes the question OF voting. II would
be the desire to give the Senate equal
voting powers with the House. the
committee Of the House, as 1t now
stands. consists of Is members, but
Speaker E. Brooke Lee of Silver Sprin:
said that II the Senate Is to be IN
Guided It might be necessary TO IN
crease the House committee to 10, CIV
ing each one-third Of vote, ana nav
ing Ave members of the upper house
Roads Quiz to Be Made.
Despite charges made on the floor OF
the House that the committee Is to
whitewash the State Roads Commission
scandal which Is to be the main. II
not the only subject of its investigation,
Democratic leaders, including Speaker
Lee, insist that 1t Is to be a thorough
investigation, without fear or favor. and
without regard as to whether It anectS
democratic appointees. 81
The insurgents have been given places
on the committee, and there Is little
doubt that If the investigation Is not
thorough the matter again will be
brought to the House floor for an air
ing, as this matter has been the bulwark
of attack on the part Of the insurgents
since the General Assembly convened.
Speaker Lee. member Of the COM
mittee, and director Of the party's
destinies In the Lower House, as well as
administration spokesman, said that the
hearings before the committee will be
open to the press, and nothing will be
hidden. He pointed out that Gov.
Ritchie4 had handled the matter with a
firm hand, since the first inkling OF
populations and that every one so far
who has been shown to be criminally
involved Is in jail.
The section OF the constitution which
is bothering the House leaders. and on
which the opinion Of the attorney gen.
eral has been sought, says:
THE House of Delegates may in
quire, on the oath of witnesses, into all
complaints. grievance and offenses, as
the grand inquest of the State, and may
commit any person for any crime to
the public jail. there to remain until
discharged by due course OF law. They
may examine and pass all accounts of
the State, relating either to the col
lection or expenditure Of revenue, and
appoint auditors to state and adjust
| the same. They may call for all pub
lie or official papers and records and
, send for persons whom they may judge
| necessary In the course OF their in
| uuiries, concerning affairs relating to
| the public interest, and may direct all
oflce bonds which shall be made pay
able to the State to be sued for anv
breach thereof"