Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-24
THE ALLAN-aiILLER FIGHT.
Possibly Sensational Developments
History of the Difficulty.

History OF the Dl1HcHlt!'
WASHINGTON. D. c.. October 2s,
Especial. Rapid and possibly sensatloilai
Developments are expected as an out
come of the acute differences that nave
arisen between General Edgar Alan,
United States attorney for the eastern
District of Virginia, and ms a hsslshns
conspiracy cases at Norfolk. Cores
pondence has passed between the TWO
men, and the whole affair promises 20
tee, if not now at least when success,
sor to General Allan is chosen General
Allan arrived in Washington this morn
ing, and went back to Norfolk by steam
to the Department of Justice today, anu
it is understood that he came here on
personal business. Communications nave
passed between him and Mr. Miller, nov"
ever. and something will happen IN
short while.
'rhe history Of the matter as learned
here is that, while General Allan was IN
Washington, attending the G. a. <: en- en-?
campment. two weeks ago, that beng ms
first vacation in a long time, hugh Cor
don Miller came into contact with the
facts regarding the combination OF me
Norfolk butchers. Despite the taci lhat
he had been ordered by General Allan TO
report any special mater to him, Mr.. NIL
Ter. without a word of warning TO MS
chief, came to Washington and went be
fore the solictor-Seneral of the Depart
ment of Justice with his story. He made
no ATTEMPT to see General Allan here.
and returned to Norfolk without having
seen the United States attorney Ihen'
followed the publication of the story.
Upon General Allans return to Norfolk
he sent a note to Mr.. Miller to send TO
the District Attorneys Office the papers
in the alleged conspiracy. Mr.. Miller mad
the cases in his private Office, 1t is
stated, and there was no record of any
kind in the office of the United States
attorney. General Allan wanted the pa
pers entered on the record. and some eS-
PLANTATION of the case. Mr.. Miller pointed
ly refused to send the papers to his chief,
it is declared, asserting that he was act
ing under special and confidential! or
ders' from the solicitor general in Wash
ington. In long note in reply to tins,
General Allan declares it impossible that
any official Of the Department of Justice
should have undertaken to carry on ana
dispose of case IN MS district, WIN
out sending the papers to him, and de-
nounces the whole proceedings as most
peculiar one on the part Of MIR. Mil
Ter. It is understood that the letter or
partment of Justice, but that SO far no
complaint has been entered against MI.
Miller.
APPEARANCES AGAINST MILLER.
Washington, and the facts of what trans
pired between him and Mr.. Miller are
not known. No one believes for min
ute that the Department of Justice in
been ignored. and the case placed in the
hands of the assistant. That is not the
usual procedure Of the department. and
on its face the transaction looks rather
rough for Mr.. Miller
Friends of General Allan charge that
Mr.. Miller is mere wailf1ower in the Of
flee of District Attorney, that his know
ledge of law is so limited he has never
been trusted with cases of Importance,
and that his position, by reason Of its
lack Of work. is a sinecure. 1t is charged
that Mr. Miller has shown marked hos
tility and disrespect for Mr. Allan ever
for Assistant Attorney General of the
United States when Judge Boyd was APP
pointed to the North Carolina bench sew
eral years ago. General Allan declared
then that Mr. Miller did not have the
necessary legal ability for such a place.
and he would not endorse him. If the
Department of Justice does not take cog
nizance of the matter through the indi-
rect letter of General Allan, it is GER
tain that Mr.. Miller can't remain as
sistant attorney. should General Allan be
reappoirted to his position.
Mr. Miller's desertion of his chief will
probably not cause any more danger than
has already existed that General Allan
would lose his place. It has been sus-
pected for a long time that Mr.. Miller.
would find some preteNt to become a
candidate, but there is no more likelihood
of his ever becoming attorney of the dis
trict than there is of the places going
to Park -AgneW. who IS not candidate
for it, The fight is between General AL
Ian and ex-Congressman Thorp, with the
chances in favor of the latter because
of his organization backing, but the back
ing of General Allan is so influential out
side of this, that his friends are conf
dent of his denomination. If General Al
Ian is reappointed. he will dismiss Mr..
Miller or have him dismissed.
CASES BEYOND THE Law
The District Attorney is understood to
look upon the alleged conspiracy as some
thing hevond the rea CHI of the law. He
matter is settled, but it is declared that
the law does not cover such cases, and
no case can be made out
The trouble Is going to accentuate the
political fight among the Republicans. and
lead to bitterness In the fight for United