The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-15
LANDS
AND ALTON
PROMISE
AttOrney-GeneraI BOnaparte
Makes Some INTEREST," ng
Statements About Subject.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-Announce-
ment was made today by Attorney
General Bonaparte that an important
conference would take place next Mon
day at the Department of Justice, IN
which the subject of the promise OF
immunity from prosecution given to
the Chicago inc Alton Railway off1-
Gals by District Attorney Morrison
would be discussed.
Attorney-Genera Bonaparte vas
asked if Judge Lands had replied to
his letter informing him that Judge
Morrison had mad to the Chicago and
Alton officials the promise of i'm
munity in consideration of their fur
nishing evidence in the Standard OIL
Company's case. He replied that he
had not heard from Judge Lands.
1T may be noted, too" he added,
that Judge Lands did not publish my
letter to him, or that of District At
torney Morrison to me. Those letters
state the attitude of the Department
of Justice in the Chicago and Alton
immunity matter. as WI understand It
now.
II can say,9 continued the Attorney
General, that since l have occupied
this position, I never have agreed to
grant immunity to an one. The
promise in question vas made during
a former administration of this de-
partment. That Attorney Morrison
gave the promise there is no doubt,
and that the General at that
time-the present Justice Moody-was
cognizant of it is quite certain"
The Attorney-G General declined to
discuss at this time what further action
he intended to take against corpora
tons that he believed to be in viola
ton of the law.
rs it possible for you to indicate
what suits, If any the Department of
Justice may institute against corpora
tions or individuals"
1T is utterly impossible" he replied.
II cannot discuss that matter at all.
l will say this: There is no reason for
any officer of any corporation or en-
terprise. whatsoever, to apprehend
trouble with this department if he is
quite sure he has not violated the
law"
asked what action, if any, might be an
ticipated from the Department of JUS
tice against Edward II. Hartman fur
Tier lldH lnC pIOCCCuilB ihStiluiSo
against him and Mr.. Kahn in the Dis
trict Court in New York to compel
them to answer questions propounded
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion.
THAT is a subject which 1 cannot
talk about he replied. II now am
considering the report of the commits
sion on the Hartman case, but 1 have
reached no conclusion"
He was reminded that an official
statement had been made public re-
Gently by the Department of Justice.
in which it was said that mo other
proceedings against Hartman and
against the Union Pacific W either
been determined upon or are now under
consideration"
"That statement was not author
ized," Attorney-G General Bonaparte
responded. 81 cannot say now whether
any action may be taken against Mr..
Hartman or not.
at is not the practise of this de-
partment to discuss for publication
contemplated actions" he said fur
ther. "A little while ago some of my
critics complained that l said too little;
now some others are urging that l am
talking too freely. 1t is a bit difficult"
he added with a laugh, ito satisfy
everybody. But as to the Hartman
case, 1 can say no more than that it
is being considered"