Evening star., 1941-09-28
Senate May Revise
Rule on Inquiries
After Movie Quiz
Lucas Considers Limiting
Studies to Determine
Investigations Need
By ]. A, O'LEARY.

BY ]. A. OLEARY.
The Senate may be asked, as a
result of the motion picture inquiry,
to amend its rules to define more
clearly the extent to which COM
nnittees may go in holding prelimi-
nary investigations to determine
whether formal Investigations are
justified.
Senator Lucas, Democrat, of Illi-
noiS. chairman of the committee in
charge of the Senate's contingent
fund, made known last night that
he is giving careful consideration,
as result Of practice that has
grown up in the past few years, to
the possibility of presenting rule
to thc Senate that will take care
Of future matters of this kind, where
there is apparent controversy"
The practice referred to consists
of introducing a resolution asking
for investigation of a specific sub
ject, referring the resolution to a
Standing committee for report, and
then holding hearings to determine
whether the Senate should order
the investigation. That course has
Been followed in the movie quiz.
Clark Sure of Legality.
! Senator Clark, Democrat, of Idaho
Chairman of the subcommittee
which was appointed by Chairman
Wheeler of the Interstate Commerce
Committee to handle the resolution
relating to alleged war propaganda
In the movies, reaffirmed yesterday
his confidence in the legality of the
proceedings thus far.
When we feel we have a prelimi-
nary picture of the whole situa-
tion," Senator Clark said, I'VE will
take the entire matter before the
full committee for such action as
the subcommittee feels is justified"
He said, however, further testi-
mony would be taken a week from
tomorrow before that stage is
reached, announcing that he wants
to consider the handling of news
reels, and also to hear Will HAYS, q.
arbiter of the film industry.
Fees Yet to Be Approved.
Senator Lucas, referring to the
movie hearings, said 1T looks to
me like they are CARRYING on
preliminary investigation to deter
mine whether there should be an
investigation" He emphasized that
he is not trying to hamstring any
investigation" but pointed out that
he has "a duty to perform as chair
man of the Audit and Control Com
mittee."
And. lnasmuch as prominent
lawyers and Senators" have ques-
toned the proceedings, he said. he
is on notice, and lis taking no
chance of approving an all-out in
vestlgation without Senate action"
The audit and control chairman.
who has not yet approved the first
witness fee vouchers submitted, said
he would not approve any. until
the subcommittee has concluded.
If the amount spent is no more
than now appears likely, he said,
there probably will be no question
raised. If the probe continued to
a point where the expenditures
would be large, he indicated, he
would want to obtain Senate ap-
proval.
Cost Figures Required.
Senator Lucas said there is a
provision in the Senate manual now
to the effect that specific cost
figure must be given in resolutions
for special Investigations. The Gus
tomary procedure when such a reso-
luton has been reported from a
standing committee for Senate ac-
ton, is to refer it to the Audit
and Control Committee to pass on
the amount that should be allowed
for expenses before the Senate
passes it.
At the opening of a new Con-
gress each standing committee OBJ
tains passage of a blanket resolu-
ton, without a fixed amount, au-
thorizing the expenses for holding
hearings and calling witnesses.
Senator Clark has cited this reso-
luton in support of the subcommit-
tees course in holding the current
hearings. but admitted the proceed
ings will reach a point-he did not
know how soon-at which the sub
committee should go to the full COM
mittee with recommendation to
be passed on to the Senate.
Senator Lucas feels that there is
distinction between holding hear
ings under the blanket authorize
tion on legislation that is ready for
action and proposed Investigations.
Clark Cites Precedent.
Senator Clark said yesterday there
was one case in recent years in which
q committee held 13 days of hear
ings, with more than IS witnesses,
in a preliminary inquiry to deter
mine whether a formal investiga-
ton should be held
Senator Lucas did not indicate
the nature of the new rule he is
considering, but made it clear that
II he presents one it would be for
general application to future situa-
tions.
Summing up his own reaction to
the hearings thus far, Senator Clark
said he thinks there is pretty much
OF a preliminary showing of mo-
hopoly" and evidence indicating that
war propaganda pictures have been
produced and forced into circula-
tlon through monopolistic control"
When 1 see the pictures myself"
ne continued, I'll have a much
better idea as to the extent of this
propaganda. We still have a num-
Der OF witnesses to hear. We are
going into the news reels, particu-
larly, and when we feel we have a
preliminary picture of the whole
situation we will take the entire
matter before the full committee for
such action as may be decided
upon"
May View Disputed Films.
The committee plans to view dur
ing the week of October 6 some of
the pictures mentioned in the testi-
mony it has received. Senator Clark
told reporters that, so far as he
personally was concerned, the films
themselves would sneak louder than