Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-07
WALSH REPLIES
TO BISHOP CANNON
Senator Says Lack OF
Quorum Did Not Excuse
Church Leader.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Senator Walsh of Montana delivered
the latest thrust in the give and-take
between Bishop James Cannon, jr., and
the Senate lobby committee today with
a contradiction of the churchman's con-
tention that lack of a quorum at the
meeting he walked out on precluded
any legal guilt of contempt.
In statement published this morn
ing Cannon said he intended no dis
courtesy to the committee by walking
out at Thursdays session.
The Montanan, acting chairman of
the committee, said the fact that only
two committeeman were present, did
not excuse Cannon from being in con-
tempt for leaving without permission.
He added the churchman had appeared
as a voluntary witness, but could not
leave without the committees consent.
But Cannon believes the contrary to
be true.
Indications were that some action
against Cannon would be proposed. but
a definite plan of procedure will not be
determined until the return of Chair
man CaraWay from Arkansas
Caraway has sided with Cannon in
his refusal to answer questions about
his 1923 political activities. He is ex-
pected back in Washington Monday
and a meeting of the committee has
been called for Wednesday,.
Close Vote Expected.
A close vote is in prospect on any
proposal to move against the defiant
churchman Senator Robinson, Re-
publican, Indiana, Is understood to side
with Caraway.
Walsh and Senator Blaine, Repub-
lican, Wisconsin, believe the commit
tee did not exceed its powers in ques-
tioning Cannon about his political
activities
This would leave the deciding vote
with Senator Borah, Republican, Ida
no. who has not made his position
public.
Reiterating that Cannon's action
was plain contempt of the Senate"
Walsh explained three courses of pro-
cedure were open. He said the bishop
could be cited TO the Senate, which
could then be called upon to submit the
record of the proceedings to the dis
trict attorney. This course was pur-
sued against Harry F. Sinclair by the
Senate lands committee and the wealthy
oil man was sent to jail.
A second course, he said, would be
to ask the Senate for specific authority
to question Cannon concerning his
political activities. This would neces-
state .subpoening the bishop before the
committee unless he appeared again as
voluntary witness.
The third possibility would be to drop
the case.
Reprimand Maximum.
Walsh would not indicate what ac-
ton he favored, but before the bishop
refused to answer questions he was
warned by the Montanan he would
have to accept the consequences.
Walsh said the maximum penalty the
Senate could impose on the bishop for
walking out on the committee would be
to reprimand him.
When Cannon left the committee
room, while being questioned by Blaine,
he said over his shoulder that If the
investigators wished to subpoena him
he would be at his Office. He insisted
the committee had no right to ask
about his political activities.
CaraWay said yesterday at Jonesboro,
Ark, his home, that he had no inten-
ton of subpoenaing Cannon.
Walsh and Blaine declined to COM
ment on his statement, but were await
ing the return of the Arkansas Senator.
For the same reason, Cannon said he
doubted the legality of questions put to
him on his activities in the Southern
anti-Smith campaign of 1928, after he
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