New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-25
W|CKERSHAM CORNERED
Alaska Delegates Statements
False, Says Attorney General.
MUST PROVE HIS CHARGES
House Judiciary Committee Told
That Department of Justice
Is Investigating.

Washington, July A.-The hand 81 Dele
gate James Wickersham Of Alaska. VINO
has made indscriminate and serious
charges against the officials Of the Dc
partment Of Justice and almost every one
else who passed on Alaskan problems In
manner not acceptable to the delegate. was
called in most decided fashion to-day by
Attorney General Wickersham. who ap-
peared before the House judiciary Com
mittee
The upshot OF the challenge was that the
Alaska delegate was forced to promise IN
make good his charges on Monday next or
to withdraw them. Even the Democratic
members Of the committee voiced the
opinion that 1t was up to Delegate WICK
ersham 10 make good" The Attorney
General, looking the delegate squarely III
the eve. denounced the charges AS false
hoods" and demanded that they he proved
Delegate Wickersham asked for rev
days time in which to prepare his charges.
There was no backing down by the At
tOrney General His earnestness was ap-
parent, and the interchange between the
two Northumberland and accused
dramatic.
That man" said the Attorney General
pointing to Delegate Nickersham; has ac-
! cused everybody who opposes him from
Senator Nelson down. I say that MS
charges against me are false, and ! want
him to prove them ] want to know, and |
demand to know. on what he bases them
Il accept the challenge" replied the
delegate. and will make good
DO II then" said the Attorney General,
deiantly
The particular charge in question was
made during Delegate Wickersham's re-
cent appearance before the committee,
when he openly charged that the Attorney
General did shield and defend Alaska
syndicate criminals from punishment
THAT is serious charge against pub
lie official Of this government" interposed
Representative Martin Llttleton In the
hearing to-day. They should be proved
or they should he stricken from the rec
ord. for they involve the moral turpitude
Of ar official
II was then the Attorney General. tired
Of the countless charges that are constant
~ being made by Delegate Wickersham.
demanded the proofs.
Prior 70 this the Attorney General had
given the committee a convincing eN-
PLANTATION Of why there were no prosecu-
tons Of syndicate agents alleged to nave
bribed Jurors and witnesses in the Hazey
murder trial. There was much gossip in
! Alaska said Mr.. Wickersham, but Stuart
Mcnamara, Special Assistant Attorney
! General. who had gone there TO investigate
these charges, together with two assist
ants, had not found sufficient evidence TO
I Justify a prosecution.
As TO another charGe-that the Depart
ment of Justice had permitted the statute
! Of limitations TO run i'm favor Of agents OF
coal combine" formed to defraud the
! government in the sale OF coal for its army
! posts-the Attorney General said the stat
/ ute of limitations had not run and that
! the charges were under investigation. The
| evidence so far discovered he said. would
not justify prosecution at this time. nor
would il stand In the courts, although the
! ATTORNEY General was not willing now To
express an opinion as TO whether COM
| bne would ultimately be shown TO exist
| The Attorney General also defended Sen
ator Nelson from the charge by Delegate
| Wickersham that there had been jury
| packing in the Senate Committee on the
| Judiciary