BORAH NAMED CHAIRMAN OF SPECIAL SENATE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE WHEELER
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 10, 1924, Senator William E. Borah* (R-Idaho) was appointed as chairman of a "special" committee of the United States Senate which "will investigate...circumstances surrounding the indictment...of Senator Burton K. Wheeler** (D-Montana)."
The Evening Star reports other members of the special committee are Senators McLean (R-Connecticut), Sterling (R-South Dakota), Swanson (D-Virginia) and Caraway (D-Arkansas).
*William Edgar Borah (1865-1940) was born in Fairfield, Illinois & graduated University of Kansas. WEB served in the US Senate 1907-1940 & as an isolationist opposed the Versailles Treaty. He was chair of the Senate foreign relations committee 1924-1933.
**Burton Kendall Wheeler (1882-1975) was born in Hudson, Massachusetts & graduated from University of Michigan Law School in 1905. Serving in the US Senate 1923-1947, he played a role in exposing the Harding administration's unwillingness to prosecute those involved in the Teapot Dome scandal. BKW ran as a vice-presidential candidate with Bob La Follette in 1924.
JFK+50 NOTE
According to The Star, Senator Wheeler was indicted by a Montana grand jury, but other sources say he suffered no major negative impact from the investigation into his activities. It has been suggested that charges against Wheeler were politically motivated.
SOURCE
"Borah Chairman Of Body to Probe Wheeler's Record," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 10, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
