Evening star., 1936-03-08
BY REX COLLIER,

Undaunted by charges Of terror
ism" flung at 1t by critics of promi-
nence. the Senate Lobby Committee
was making plans over the week end
to fight back this week in the courts
and at the Capitol.
Chairman Black considers such pro-
tests as those made by Silas H. StraWn
in court and by Jouett Shouse over
the radio as attacks directed at the
sacred rights and powers of the Sen
ate. He plans to answer them by
broad claims Of senatorial authority.
Through testimony In open hearings,
he will seek to provide further "justi-
fication" for the committee action in
examining some 5000. 900 private tele-
grams in quest of lobbying evidence.
Injunction Hearing Wednesday.
Right OF the Senate to subpoena
from the Western Union Telegraph
Co. private telegraphic correspondence
of the Chicago law firm of Silas H.
Strawn and associates will be upheld
by special counsel for the committee
at q hearing in District Supreme Court
Wednesday on an injunction suit filed
by Strawn.
Committee investigators. working in
conjunction with clerks Of the Federal
Communications Commission, failed to
find certain kilograms of the Strawn
firm among the millions perused dur
ing the last several months. Appar-
entity this was because the blanket
subpoenas served on Washington Off
cials of the two telegraph companies
early last year covered only kilograms
sent ard received in Washington. Most
of the Strawn kilograms were sent and
received in Chicago.
Strawn, a Republican, and Shouse,
Democrat, charged the committee is
prying into confidential correspondence
by wire between lawyer and client and
even between husband and wife"
In his suit, Strawn contends this Is
an unconstitutional invasion OF per-
sonal privacy-that the committee Is
on fishing expedition"
Harris Special Counsel.
Champion Harris, former law part
ner of Senator Black. has been ap-
pointed special counsel to protect the
committees interest in the tnjunc-
.tion suit brought by Strawn against
Western Union and thus, indirectly
against the committee.
Authority Of the committee, under
the resolution creating 1t, Is very broad.
1t is not restricted to an investigation
of lobbying against utility legislation.
as many persons believe. It has COM
any kind. including the power ito
investigate and report upon the polit-
ical contributions and activities" Of
such Arms and individuals.
Under this authority the committee
is inquiring into activities of the
American Liberty League. the Cru
saders and various other organizations
which have conducted so-called lob
bying" campaigns by mail, wire or
personal solicitation.
TeIegrams Reported Copied.
In this inquiry committee investi-
gators are said to have copied tele-
grams sent by or to Shouse. John J.
Raskob, Alfred E. Smith and other
leaders Of the Liberty League. which
Is waging q drive against certain New
Deal acts and policies. All three may
be summoned before the committee to
explain statements in this telegraphic
correspondence.
1t is understood the Strawn firms
messages are desired in connection with
the investigation Of the Liberty League.
One or two members of Strawn,s flrm
are reported to have been active in
supporting the league. strawn, former
president Of the United States Cham
Der Of Commerce, has been a severe
critic OF the Roosevelt administration.