The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-25
EXCHANGE Of LIE
BY W|CKERSHAMS
Attorney General and Dele
gate from Alaska in
Controversy
EACH GIVES FORTH
HOT
Alaskan Coal Gases and En-
tire Territorial Situation
May Now be In
vestigated

WASHINGTON. D. c. July "a
Attorney-General George w. Wicker
sham. to-day denied as false the charge
brought against him by Delegate Jas
Nickersnam, OF Alaska that the at
torney- general had been guilty OF
shielding criminals in Alask only to
have the charges reiterated in his face
by the delegate, who announced that
he had the proofs. This very re-
markable scene came near the close of
q hearing granted the attorney Rener-
al by the House Judiciary Commit
tee which Ia Investigating the charges.
The charges against the attorney
general are that he had allowed the
statute Of limitations to run In favor OF
contractors alleged to have defrauded
the government on Alaskan coal con-
tracts. In t~estifying to this point sew
eral days aga, Delegate Wfckersham,
who represents Alaska in the House OF
Representatives, declared hat In May.
1910. he had furnished the department
OF justice with an affidavit by II. j.
Douglas, a former auditor OF the Alas
ka syndicate. who alleged that the
government had been defrauded by
fake bids on coal needed by the army
In Alaska The coal companies. IL was
alleged. conspired to swindlc the gov
ernrnent.
WtckoFtnan8 Stat0Ynent.
Il would not appear here in regard to
the resolution of inquiry regarding the
running of the statute OF limitations"
said h attorney general on taking
his seat. but fnaxrnuch as delegate
Wickersham has accused me OF delib-
erateiy shielding Alaskan criminals, i
feel that a statement Ia necessary.
I'm June OF last year" said Attor-
ney-General Wickershan, Il sent
Stuart Mcnamara. special assistant at
torney-general. TO Alaska to investf-
gate these charged 1t was alleged that
the bidders had made an sffidavtt that
they represented only themselves in
bidding on these contracts.
Mr.. MeNamarR found tina the bid
uHyS q made TO such claims to tho
Quarterrnaster general. The bids on
file with the war department show no
such claims, That Knocked out any
possible action against any one for per
jury"
Statute Has Not Run.
Referring to the charge OF the Alas
ka delegate. that he tthe attorney-een-
sral) had delayed the matter untii the
statute of limitations had run against
the coal bidders, the Encouragement
said that the matter Is still under In
~vestisation, but that the facts do not
make out a case OF criminal conspiracy.
How said the a~ttorney-gen-
rtats II tneFe WAS a conspiracy TO
defraud the government. don't think
the statute OF limitations has run
against ii, because, while the alleged
conspiracy was entered into more
than three years 70. the coal is still
being delivered, and I believe that
this delivery would constitute overt
Acts" a
How about the charge of the del
cgate that you shielded criminals in
Alaska asked Mr.. Carlin.
That Is absolutely false-a false
hood" was the spirited reply.
The encouragement then denied
the charge that he had opposed the
PREDICTION OF Delegate ,Wicker~faar,
and explained that he had actually
assisted him By wiring thea United
States marshal at Valdez to see that
no Illegal votes were cast. He also
disputed the statement OF Delegate
Wickersham that he had furnished
the 'attorney-general's Office with
enough evidence to prosecute the coal
frauds. and said he was not convinced
that there was q conspiracy In the
coal bids
Representative Iittleton. OF New
York. declared that Delegate Wick
ersham having made charges against
the encouragement, should prove or
NV tHSIh.
THAT Is fair and proper" said the
delegate. Il am here to affirm my
charge and not to withdraw 1t. /
want a few days foFs preparation. l
can nave my case ready next Mon
day. but ii will include more than
the coal cases. The situation In Alas
ka Is grave. Somebody IL wrong
and / want this committee to find
out who It Is"
We'll, make good them" shouted
the encouragement. jumping to his
feet n pounding the table with his
fist. This man has gone around
son down." continued the attorney
general. II say that his statement
il q faisshood and that he can't prove
It," fairly roared the attorney gen.
eral A. he resumed his seat.
II can prove IT," retorted Delegate
Wickersham loudly.
well, prove It then" shouted the
attorpay-genaral. who .maxia, tnosaeffars
to conceal his anger.
The committee then went into ex-
ecutive session to consider whether
they ought to enter upon an investi-
cation aside from the specific charge
Of the GOAL contracts. The attorney
general favored the special investiga-
ton.
II know this charge Is false, but
want to know on what the delegate
bases It," he said.
IT base It largely on the attorney
generals record" returned the dele