The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-28

lyncnDure, Va. 0.OVO
rect, Lynchhurg. Va. 1900. 1000
conspiracy, and had also solemnly de-
cided that no plan of reorganization
should be adopted by the American
Tobacco Company which did not re-
store actual working competition. and
do not regard it as being either I'M
uusal or surprising that the legal
representative Of the State Of Virginia
should be willing to do all in his
power to protect the legal rights Of
the tobacco growers OF this State and
to render such aid as he could to-
wards carrying out the decision Of the
court. Not only was the letter re.
ceived from the Attorney General
copied above. but the Attorneys Gen
eral Of Virginia. North Carolina and
South Carolina filed a petition before
the United States Court In New York.
setting forth the facts above stated
and asked permission OF that court
to appear and file a brief by way Of
objection to the plan Of reorgAnixa-
ton proposed by the American To-
bacco Company. This leave was grant.
ed by the court and this should
silence all criticisms as to our course.
Tells Who Is Paying Bill.
Fifth. You next ask the following
question: Who Is paying the expenses
of their venture, and why? If you
mean to insinuate by this question
that any person. corporation or pri-
yate interest is paying. directly or
indirectly, any expenses OF the Attor-
neys general. then. so far m l am
concerned. and as I honestly believe,
so far the attorneys general OF
North Carolina and South Carolina
are concerned. this insin1ation 10 not
only unworthy of a great leading daily
nnp mo- rf%
this editorial, but is without any foun-
dation in fact whatever. A. far as
my expenses are concerned, con-
suited with the governor OF this State
and with many other citizens of this
State, for whose opinions I have the
highest regard. and told them that
thought that this was case in which
! should use enough OF The contin-
gent fund of this ONCE to pay my
actual expenses to New York to look
into this matter, l stating ut tho time
that IL there was any reason why I
should not do this. then my interest
In the tobacco growers Of this State
was such that / would Day the ex-
penses out of my own pocket All
OF these gentlemen whom I consulted .
expressed the opinion that would be
justified in paying the expenses out
OF my contingent fund. have not M
yet drawn on the contingent fund 70.
| these expenses, and Ii you or any
other taxpayer can pot1t out To me
any reason why ] should not do 80.
| then I will pay the expenses out OF
my pocket
Sixth, You next ask what epe-
cial clients do they represent AMI
what for; and also in the same con-
nection you ask. what particular Arr
can il ensconeed in this particular
woodpie2 In reply. do not repre-
| sent any special clients. and / do not
| believe that either the Attorney Gen
| eral OF North Carolina or South Caro-
! lima represent any special clients
| represent. and | believe they rspre-
| sent, alone what We believe TO lie
| the hest interests OF the toiling masses
| OF the three States who are engaged
| In the cultivation of tobacco, and as
| for the reference 10 the negro in the
| woodpile, this carries with il veil
| ed insinuation which is as false az
| II is contemplate. and one which no
| fair-minded man should ne willing
| to make. and which no equitable
| newspaper should print.
| Seventh. You next ask, what AS
sistance, IL any. they have had In the
| preparation of the petition they have
submitted to the court? And Ii they
| had any assfstance In this way. who
rendered 1t and why. and what for:
In reply, when we reached New
York we succeeded in getting hold OF
.printed copies OF the plan OF reor-
| ganixation proposed by the American
| Tobacco Company. After carefully
| going over and studying this plan. We
consulted with certain Independent to-
| baco manufacturers. who were there
| present in New York. and with their
| attorneys. and wo got information
| from them and all other sources
| available to us as to the true mean
/ ing and probable effect upon the TO.
| bacco growers. Of the plan OF reor-
| ganization proposed by the American
! Tobacco Company. and we. the at
| torneys general OF the States Of Wiz.
ginia, North Carolina and South Caro-
lima, went carefully over the whole
matter and discussed II, made full
| notes and agreed upon our objections
or petition. ~ you call II. and after
this was done. It was agreed that the
Hon. =. w. Beckett Atturney General
Of North Carolina, acting for IN.
should throw the petition In. form.
which he did. and after having been
| thrown In form. was adopted ana
signed by all Of u. and acting upon
tho leave given by the court. vas
filed, a copy Of which, presume. u
In your possession. This paper rep
| resents the work o. all three Of uA
and II was Inspired BY ~ alone. and
this 10 full and complete Angwer -
the suggestions and covert tnsanua.
| tions contained In this last question.
| Honestly believing that the protAc.
ton Of tho rights Of tie tobacco grew.
| ers Of tho state Of Virginia. demands
ct my hands ~ full and thorough rep
resentation Of their interests befor
tho court ~ I am able to give, I
shall. unless prevented by unforeseen
causeA 30 to New York and b pres
ont at tho hearing on the a0th In.
slant. and do whatever 10 In my powe.
to secure for tho tobacco growers In
this State the full beneflt Of the de.
cision already rendered In the suit %
tho United States against the Ameris
can Tobacco Company. and which de-
mands that competition in fact, an:
not In name, shall be restored In the
tobacco trade. 20 far A. II In in the
power OF the law to restore 1t.
Yours truly.
SAMUEL W. WILLIAMS.
Attorney General of Virginia.
MRS. ADA JOHNSON
WANTS HER HUSBAND