The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-06
COMMISSIONER LEE ANSWERS
CONGRESSMAN JONES

Regarding the persistent and un-
called for dragging Of the COmmis-
sioner Of Fisheries into the Sen
atorial campaign. and particularly
into the menhaden bill controversy,
by Congressman Jones, the follOwin
interview was given to the papers
at Norfolk Tuesday by Mr. Lee.upon
reading Mr.. Jones effusion in the
Times-Dispatch OF that day:
The animus which Congressman
Jones bears towards the Commission
OF Fisheries. and the Commissioner
in particular. is too evident through
out the State to warrant contro
versy. His action a few years back
In trying to influence and prejudice
the Legislature from his seat In
Washington. exploded In committee
meeting and newspapers. when his
hands were unmasked, has not been
altogether forgotten. II Is not
quite so evident. however. why he
is willing to put a big and benefi-
cent fish industry in an unfortunate
! light before the public, and one that
may prejudice future Legislators. par
ticularly since Mr.. Jones Is reputed
to have big holdings in one or more
of these corporations, and his close
friend, Mr.. Chinn, Is retained az
counsel for them Also why his
friend and business partner, Mr.
Wexford. is brought out as an un-
willing patron Of bill against the
menhaden interests. These things
however. are not inexplicable to
those who know Mr.. Jones to be a
man that would ride to political pre-
ferment over any ones ashes, andst
wreak spite upon a political antago-
mist would not hesitate to throw a
false light upon necessary official
acts.
The Commissioner of FisherLe
has ignored his persistent efforts TO
make him a side issue in this Sen
atoriaI campaign. am not Sena
tOrial timber. and the Congressman
must be hard pressed for campaign
material. His column or two OF let
ters published in Tuesdays Times
Dispatch, in which | am put in this
false light, and made much OF as
campaign material induces me to no
tice the contemptible methods that
he Is so laboriously following TO
the detriment Of the peoples inter
ests In Congress.
In the main, the long drawn out
story is correct. neither deny the
allegations nor defy the allega-
tor" The details are a little In er-
ror; but what of that-or of the
whole thing, for that matter? The
Wexford bill was first suggested to
me at Lancaster court by Mr.Currell
and others interested. and my Com
mission was requested to aid in the
matter. replied that as there were
special interests involved, and no
general fish or oyster legislation. |
and my commission would hands
off" in the matter, and would ad-
wise them to procure a lawyer.
When the bill was introduced / was
asked by the menhaden people to
help their side, and my answer was
the same as to the others. Ii
recommended Mr. Cardwell (Which
do not recall. but do not deny) it
was no more than | might have
done in respect to any other friend
who was a good lawyer. Through
out the fight studiously kept
hands off. giving my whole atten-
ton, as will be recalled by legisla-
tors. to our general fish and oyster
compilation and codiflcatlon.
"As to Mr.. Jones friend. Mr..
Chlnn, paying Mr.. Cardwell $3.50 on
this matter, It was unknown to me.
| had no further hand in any Of
these bills than was stated. and act
ed as | have done many times be-
fore, and expect to do so again,
namely, when special interests and
not the general welfare of the fish
and oyster industries are fighting
to keep hands off and advise their
securing counsel.
After all, | say, what's this got
to do with the Senatorial fight. -
Virginia Citizen, Irvington.