Contempt?

Two distinguished looking gentlemen with white hair and ruddy complexions, both successful in their chosen careers, shook hands, said they were sorry. Samuel Insull, who supplies many an Illinoisan with gas, electricity, grand opera and a U. S. Senator-elect, was sorry that he could not answer all questions. Senator Reed of Missouri, the asker of the questions, was sorry that he would have to cite Mr. Insull before the Senate for contempt. They had fenced with questions and answers in Chicago last summer (TIME, Aug. 9) and in Washington last week, had learned much about each other. Mr. Insull summed up the matter last week:

"I have heretofore testified that I made contributions totaling $237,925.19 in connection with the primary election held in Illinois on April 13, 1926. Of this sum, $172,925.19 was contributed for the purpose of influencing nomination of persons for United States Senator [chiefly Col. Frank L. Smith]. The remainder, $65,000, was contributed to influence the nomination of various persons for various local county offices, and I firmly believe that it was used exclusively for such purposes.

"The sum of $172,925.19 was contributed during the period of a few months preceding the primary, and all of it was borrowed by me from the Commonwealth Edison Co. pending reimbursement of the company from my own funds as soon as I could conveniently arrange for it."

But Mr. Insull had flatly refused to tell to whom he gave $40,000 of his quarter million, and that was why Senator Reed cited him for contempt. The penalty for this offense varies from one month to one year in jail, plus a fine. But Mr. Insull is in no immediate danger of entering a cell. First the Senate must find him guilty of contempt; then he can still carry his case to the Supreme Court.