The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-08
co MINT SSlOkER
DENIES CHARGE
SAYS HE TOOK NO PART IN THE
FIGHT BETWEEN "SPE-
CIAL INTERESTS

NORFOLK, VA, Special.-W. Nc
Donald Lee. Commissioner of Fish
cries, emphatically denied that he took
any part in the fight between the
special interests" relative TO the pro-
posed menhaden fishing legislation.
Dispatch containing the latest Jones
statement relative to the matter. Mr..
Lee charges that Jones, in his sena-
torial campaign, is seeking to make
him q side issue, using distorted YER
Sions of his connection with the fish
ing interests. The following state
ment was given out by Mr.. Lee;
The animus which Congressman
Jones bears towards the Commission
of Fisheries and TO the commissioner
out the state to warrant controversy.
His action a few years back in trying
to influence and prejudice the Legis-
lature from his seat in Washington
exploded in committee meeting and
newspapers when his hands were I'M
masked, has not been altogether for
gotten. 1t is not quite so evident,
however, why he is willing 10 put a
big and benefcent fish industry in
an unfortunate light before the pub
lie, and one that may prejudice flu
ture legislators, particularly since Mr..
Jones is reputed to have big holdings
in one or more of the corporations,
and his close friend, Mr.. Chinn, is re-
tanned as counsel for them. Also why
his friend and business partner, Mr..
| Wexford, is brought out as an unwill-
ing patron of a bill against the men
haden interests. These things, how
ever, are not ineXplicable TO those
who know Mr.. Jones to be a man that
would ride TO political preferment
over any ashes, and to Wreak spite
upon political antagonist would not
hesitate to throw a false light upon
necessary Official acts.
The Commission of Fisheries has
ignored his persistent efforts to make
him a side issue in this senatorial
campaign. l am not senatorial tim
Der, and the Congressman must be
hard pressed for campaign material.
His column or two of letters, pub
lished in Tuesdays Times Dispatch,
in which / am put in this false light.
and made much Of as campaign ma
terial induces me TO notice the con-
temptible methods he is so laborious-
" following TO the detriment of the
peoples interests in Congress.
In the main, the long drawn out
story is correct. 1 neither deny the
allegation nor deny the alligator The
details are little in error; but what
of that, or of the whole thing, for
that matter?
The Wexford bill was first sug-
Sested 10 me at Lancaster court by
Mr. Currell and others interested, anC
in the matter. l replied that as there
were special interests involved, and
no general fish or oyster legislation, /
and my commission would be hands
off in the matter, and would advise
them 10 procure a lawyer. When the
bill was introduced l was asked by
the menhaden people TO help their
side. and my answer was the same as
to the others. If l recommended Mr..
Cardwell (Which I do not recall, but
do not deny), il was no more than l
might have done in respect 10 any
other friend who was IA good lawyer.
Throughout the fight ! studiously kept
hands off, giving my whole attention.
as will be recalled by legislators, 10
our general fish and oyster compila-
ton and codifcation.
"As TO Mr.. Jones friend. Mr.. Chinn,
paying Mr.. Cardweli $3.50 in this mat
ter. il was unknown TO me. / had no
further hand in any of these bills than
was stated, and acted as ! have done
many times before, and expect TO do
aSain. namely, when special interests
and not general welfare of the fish
and oyster Industries are fighting, to
keep hands off and advise their secur-
ing counsel.
After all, l say. what's this got 10
do with the senatorial fight?'