Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-11-18
Publishes Correspondence That He
Had With Atty Gen. Knox on
The Dietrich Case,
WANTED TO HOLD UP THE CASE.
Attorney General Told Him He Should
Not Have Requested Discrimination
Of the Investigation.

Washington, Nov, 1s,-Corespon-
dence that passed between United
States Dist Atty Summers at omaha
and Atty Gen, Knox in June last In
the matter Of the charges against Post
master Fisher Of Hastings and United
States Senator Dietrich OF Nebraska
and the inyestlg cation OF the same by
the grand jury, was made public to-
day The letter of Mr.. Summers to
the encouragement is dated June 20,
and is as follows;
ATTY, SUMMERS LETTER.
Il have the honor TO transmit TO you
herewith the testimony given before
the United States grand jury on June
o, 1908 by Leopold Hahn, Mr. Hahn
Is citizen of Hastings, Adams coun-
ty, Neb. He was called before the
grand jury at the request of members,
ON account of well defined rumors In
circulation and charges based thereon
as TO the violation OF section 1881 Of the
Revised Statutes OF the United States
by Jacob Fisher who Is now post
master In the city OF Hastings,
THE testimony, you viii see reflects
master. but as well upon United States
Senator Dietrich OF Nebraska.
The grand Jurors insisted upon
making thorough and searching in
vestigation. This investigation was
discontinued at my request because OF
the fact that the conduct of United
States senator was involved In the
question they desired To Investigate.
Al the same time | stated to the grand
jury that the Investigation will be
made by another grand jury II II be
disclosed subsequently that the ends of
justice demand H. For the purpose of
prevailing upon the grand Jurors to dis
continue the investigation ] stated TO
them ] would submit the information
to the departments of justice ana ask
for directions In the premises, With
the assistance Of the foreman OF the
grand jury, one of the prominent and
influential citizens of the state, | was
enabled to prevail upon the grand
Jurors 10 comply with my request.
In this connection permit me to say
there are appointments IN this state
other Than the one at Hastings named
IN the testimony submitted herewith,
about which the grand jury manifested
disposition TO inquire. No witnesses
We're examined as to them. However,
for the same reason given above
hold myself In readiness to follow any
direction you may give me-
ATTY, gems REPLY.
The reply of the attorney general Is
dated June rs, and is as follows:
u have your letter Of the Ord in
slant, transmitting copy OF testimony
given before the United States grand
jury In Omaha on June g. 1903, by
Leopold Hahn, called before the grand
jury at its request and on account of
alleged violations of section 1881 of the
revised statutes Of the United States
by Jacob Fisher, now postmaster In th.
city of Hastings. Neb. In your letter
you correctly state that this testimony
reflects not only upon Jacob Fisher,
the postmaster, but as well upon Unit
ed states Senator Charles II. Dietrich
OF Nebraska You likewise In your lst-
ter state that the investigation by the
grand jury was discontinued at your
request. the reasons which prompted
you TO make such request and the
means which YOU employed In securirg g
that end.
I'm reply ] state you should not have
requested discontinuance Of the in
vestigation against the grand jury's in
sistence because OF the fact that the
conduct OF United States senator was
involved In the question the grand Jury
desired TO Investigate From the copy
OF the proceedings before the grand
Jury it appears that at the time the
testimony closed most extraordinary
and discriminating story had been t1ld
by the witness Hahn I'm which Senator
Dietrich was criminally involved but
the facts which formed the basis az this
talk were not Of the witness own
knowledge. Fairness to the person thus
incriminated. as well as other consider
atoms OF duty. should have caused you
10 refrain from interfering with the de-
sire Of the grand jury 90 probe the
matter to the bottom. / especially dis
approve Of your carrying out interior.
ence with the proper functions Of the
Jury 10 the extent of using your prom
Use TO submit the matter 20 this depart
ment for direction In the premises ms an
argument In your effort TO persuade the
jury 10 discontinue their Invest gatlon
Upon the whole your action In the
matter, the end accomplished and the
means employed were astonishing, un.
warranted and highly improper"
Senator Dietrich called at the White
House today and had long interview