The Washington herald., 1908-04-30
ACTING FOR FASSETT
Conference Held Over the
Race-track Telegram.
WOULD UNRAvEL MYSTERY
George II. Fearons, General Attor-
ney for the western Union TeIe-
graph Company, and Assistant
District Attorney Given Discuss
Methods of Procedure.

John Doe proceedings may be instituted
by Assistant District Attorney Harvey
Given to unravei the mystery surround
ing the change in the telegram sent by
Congressman J. Sloat Fassett to State
Senator Cassidy, of New York, which re-
suited in the defeat Of the anti-racing
bill at Albany about two weeks ago.
M. Fassettst telegram advised Sena-
tor Cassidy to support Gov. Hughes in
his fight for the passage Of the bill.
When the telegram reached the senator
the word not" had been inserted. The
latter followed the advice given in the
doctored telegram and voted against the
bill.
Attorneys In Conference.
George II FearOns, OF 195 Broadway,
New York, general attorney for the
Western Union Telegraph Company,
called at the district attorneys Office this
morning, accompanied by H. F. Taft.
local manager of the company. Mr.
Fearons assured Mr. Given upon behalf
of the officials of the telegraph company
that they would cooperate in every pos
sible way with him 10 clear up the mat
ter. The general attorney and Mr.. Given
held a short conference, but no definite
plan was decided upon. but ii is known
that an effort will be made by John Doe
proceedings to bring several persons be-
fore the grand jury and have them make
statements concerning their knowledge Of
the affair
Mr.. Given denied that a subpoena had
been issued for u telegraph operator
named Timberlake who was employed
at the Capitol. from where the message
was sent, and who was discharged by
Manager Taff when it was discovered
that the message had been changed. As
yet Mr.. Given said. no plan Of action
had been formulated.
Even if the identity OF the individual
or individuals responsible for the change
| is sscertained, doubt is expressed as to
whether there is any statute covering the
Gffense
May Not BE a Forgery.
The district attorneys Office does not
believe the action changing the telegram
constituted forgery. but il certain facts
are developed II is stated an indictment
may be brought for conspiring to corrupt
a legislator
20 lar Es lUhteLlEhiluL las gone. AUNr
ever. the offense does not appear 10 be
| covered by any statute or by common
law
Mr.. Fassett's Statement.
If conspiracy can be shown In the
| changing OF the reading Of the telegram
on the Hughes anti-racing bill sent by
| Representative Fassett, a damage suit
may be instituted
Il am not after a judgment said Mr..
| Fassett last night. Il am having the
doctored telegram and the incidents con-
| nected with IL investigated. and I want
| the guilty persons punished. If there is
/ no law making it a criminal 0ffense or a
mjedemeanor to change telegram sent
| from a public station ] intend 10 intro
/ duce a bill on the subject myself
/ "The matter Is being investigated now
detectives are working on the case
do not suspect a conspiracy. II il is a
/ conspiracy. il is p misdemeanoT, and is
| sufficient ground for legal proceedings
We are merely trying 10 find out what
really did happen We propose TO inves-
tigate IL thoroughly. Every effOT! Will be
made 70 run the case down.
There Is a difference between a griev-
| ious wrong and a gTieviOus outrage. and a
misdemeanor or a crime. II it is con-
spiracy, il is a misdemeanor, and will be
/ handled as such"
Assistant District Attorney Given will
report to-day.