Evening star., 1947-01-20
5 Senate Democrats
To Attack Extension
E0f War Probe Group
BY the A.soeioied Pres.

Senate Democrats lined up five
of their sharpshooters for new
volleys today at the Republican pro-
posal to keep the special War In
yestigating Committee alive another
year.
Democratic speakers in the de-
bate now scheduled to end officially
Wednesday afternoon include Mi
nority Leader Barkley of Kentucky
and Senators Hatch of New Mexico,
Lucas of Illinois, Russell Of Georgia
and Hill of Alabama.
All are members of the new policy
committee charged with being
present when the Senate meets, to
give battle to any Republican pro-
posals the minority may be cunning
for.
In this case the Democrats have
raised the issue that the Republi-
cans-by attempting to. set up q
special committee to do work that
might be undertaken by one of
the regular groups-are attempting
to undermine the Congressional Re-
organization Act.
Republicans Confident.
They played this tune in three
days of debate last week.
Republicans remained confident
that when the Wednesday voting
time comes, they will have the ballots
to put over not only the War Inves-
tigating Committee resolution, but a
proposal to re-establish the Senate
Small Business Committee.
Meanwhile, House Republican
leaders expressed the opinion that
the once minor Expenditures Com
mittee would play large part in
future Investigations into various
phases of the Government.
One member, who did not want
his name used, said the State De-
partment and some people in 1t
might get quick attention" when
the investigation surge gets under
way.
For years the committee was in
active. 1t went for months without
meeting. 1t is supposed to keep an
eye on Government agencies, see
that they don't waste money and
that they do their jobs as Congress
intended.
Hoffman Is Chairman.
House Republican Leader Halleck
told reporter:
THAT committee is going to have
much to do with scrutinizing execu-
tive departments, spending and
what can be done to improve the
Government"
The new chairman is Representa-
tive Hoffman of Michigan, never
noted for pulling any punches.
"Our committee" said Represent
ative Brown, Republican, of Ohio
never paid much attention to ex-
penditures under the Democratic
regime. But we are going to check
up and see if the money is being
legally and wisely spent.
"We might deem it necessary to
look into quite a few things. The
committee has all kinds of power
if it wants to use it,"
AS another member, Representa-
tive Chenoweth, Republican, OF
Colorado, sized things up, the idea
is to "do away with a lot of special
investigating committees and let
this committee do most of the work.
Six on Rules Committee.
The Republicans assigned to the
committee six of the eight Repub-
lican members of the Rules Com
mittee. These six-Representatives
Brown and Chenoweth among them
can use their talents on legislation
and Investigations in the Expendi-
lures Committee while blocking
creation of special investigating
bodies as members sof the Rules
Committee.
Other Rules Committee Repub-
Icans assigned to the expenditures
group are Representatives Rich OF
Pennsylvania, Wadsworth of New
York, Ridley of Oklahoma and Har-
ness of Indiana.
The Rules Committee has to ap-
prove creation of special committees.
It's main job is to direct the flow Of
legislation through the House.
Mr.. Hoffman has called a first
Expenditures Committee meeting for
today to organize. He plans con-
ference with Chairman Aiken of the
Senate Expenditures Committee to
see if thev can keen from covering