The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-18
DIETRICH TO BE TRIED,
SAYS THE PRESIDENT
Nothing TO Be SmOthered
in Probing Charges.
WANTS AN EARLY TRIAL
Hopes Senator Will Be Vindicated-At-
torney General Knox's Scathing
Rebuke to District Attorney.

Upon reliable information the state
ment is made today that the President
has directed a rigid investigation TO be
made of the charges contained in the
indictment found by a Federal grand
jury against Senator Dietrich. II IS
said he has informed Attorney General
Knox to direct District Attorney Sum
ners to push the case and to smother
nothing in the trial Of the case.
The President feels an especial inter
est In the case by reason of the fact
that IL was upon the recommendation
of the Nebraska Senator that he made
the appointment Of Postmaster Fisher.
It is said that District Attorney Sum-
mers last spring had in his possession
the same information upon which the
present Indictment was found. but re-
fused to allow one to be returned in
the hope of gaining Senator Dietrich's
influence for a reappointment. his term
having expired several months ago.
No New Appointment Now.
Senator Dietrich hoped for the ap-
pointment OF a new district attorney
week ago, and one who would be favor
able to him, but IL was not made. 1t Is
said no appointment win now be made
until after the Dietrich case is disposed
Of
The President is determined District
Attorney Summers shall not only try
the case now, but that al the details
of the transaction may be brought out.
He, of course. hopes that the Senator
may be vindicated. but is determined
that no stone shall be left. covering up
anything in connection with it.
Dietrich Sees President.
Senator Dietrich OF Nebraska was in
conference with the President this af-
t1rnoon. but would not state shat con-
clusiOns were reached in respect TO his
case
IN view OF the interest that has been
aroused in the Omaha postoface matter.
in which Senator Dietrich of Nebraska.
is charged with bribery. and charges OF
incompetency have been filed against
United States District Attorney w s.
Summers, the Department of Justice
today consented, after much urging, TO
a request made for a copy Of the cor
/ respondence that has passed between
Attorney General Knox and District At
torney Summers when the case was
commenced against Senator Dietrich
Rebuking District Attorney.
District Attorney Summers, IN his let
/ ter transmitting the testimony in the
case. states the investigation of the
grand jury was discontinued al the dis
trict attorneys own request, his reason
being that he desired to refer the mat
/ ter TO the Department of Justice. Re
garding this action Attorney General
Knox, in his letter Of reply. uses these
words:
You should not have requested a dis
/ continuance of the investigation against
the grand jury's .nsistence. because OF
/ the fact that the conduct Of a United
States Senator was involved in the ques-
| ton the grand jury desired TO investi-
/ gate. From the copy of the proceedings
| before the grand jury IL appears that at
/ the time the testimony closed a most
/ extraordinary and discriminating story
( had been told by the witness Hahn IN
which Senator Dietrich was criminaliy
involved. but the facts which formed the
/ basis Of this tale were not OF the wit
/ ness own knowledge.
Should Have Let Jury Alone.
Fairness TO the person thus incrimi
mated. as well as other consideration
OF duty, should have caused you to re-
frain from interfering with the desire
of the jury TO probe the matter to the
! bottom. especially disapprove Of your
/ carrying your interference with the
/ proper functions of the jury to the ex-
tent OF using ye6Ir promise TO submit
the matter to this department for direc-
ton In the premises as an argument in
your effort to persuade the jury 10 dis
/ continue their investigation.
Upon the whole. your action in the
matter the end accomplished, and the
means employed were astonishing, un-
warranted. and highly improper
wuITE unIlcE cpkNK