The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-09
FEDERAL PROBE IS
WELL UNDER WAY
INVESTIGATOR Il g. MATT MAKES
GOOD HEADwAY WITH ms
INQUIRIES.
BUSY ON DISPOSITIONS
SAYS OFFICIALS WHOSE OFFICES
ARE BEING EXAMINED ARE
EXTENDING EVERY FA-
CHTTY.

| United States Revenue Agent l. G..
Nut. who is here from Pittsylvania to
Investigate the local Internal Revenue
Service. following certain criticisms
made by Judge Edmund waddul. got
down to business In earnest yesterday
and at the close of the days work
said he was quite satisgtied with the
| progress made during the day,
Officials Cooperate.
| He said the local revenue officials
were extending to him every courtesy
possible. Collector Lowry. he said,
the Investigation started and Colonel
w. H. Chapman. the local revenue
agent whose men will be the first
witness examined, was similarly cour~
teous and accommodating.
The day was taken Up yesterday in
taking the testimony of James A.
Pierce. special gauger under Revenue
the principal witness of the govern
ment in the case against the Poca-
hontas Distilling Company. In the
trial before Judge Waddfil, which
was held in October. he testified that
he saw five barrels of liquor. un-
stamped. being hauled away from the
still Of the Pocahontas Distilling Com
pany.
1t was while Pierce was being cross
examined at the October trial by At
torney John Lamb. OF the Pocahantas
Distiliing Company that the circum-
stances developed that led TO the in
ference that the attorney had obtained
from members OF Collector Lowrys
Information useful to him In build
ing up defence for his clients
When the Trouble Started.
While cross-examining this witness
the attorney put a question which in
dicated that he had received informa-
ton from some source Of a conversa-
ton that Pierce had had in one of
Mr.. Lowry's suite OF offices with mem
bers OF Mr.. Lowry's force, for he ask
ed the witness II he did not say in
the presence OF those officers that he
didn't know whether II was two
mules or two horses that were hitched
to the wagon on the occasion OF the
unstamped liquor being hauled away
from the establishment of the Po-
cahontas Distilling Company.
AS to the actual testimony giver in
the case by members of Mr.. Lowry's
staff. it is said that it had no par
ticular bearing In the case and
brought no comfort to Mr.. Lambs
clients, the officers defending their
cause in the matter by saying that
they had been subpoenaed as witness
ny Inc dclcaSc anu eAiCS AdA nv cPeAuh
but to respond as they would other
wise have been incontempt of court.
This morning 1t IL thought likely
that Special GAuger b. F. Atkins. an
other OF Col. Chapman's force. an who
testified for the government in the
October trial, will be examined by
Investigator Mutt who has been pro-
vided with an expert stenograoher
to keep the record OF the weddings.
When Special Gauger Atkins has fln-
ished giving his testimony Special
Employe L. r. Hansborough. another
government witness in the case. Will
probably go on the stand.
None Of the evidence will be made
public.
The investigation is being conducted
in the office of the assistant United
States District Attornev on the sec
ond floor OF the Federal building.
As to Other Branches
Investigator Nut says he knows
nothing Of any contemplated inves-
tiIation of any other branches of tn
local Federal service. Were there to
be such an Investigation. he Is OF the
opinion that he would net be assign
ed to 1t. but. instead, that the duty
would be assigned some one tamil
lar with the workings OF the particu-
lar branch OF the service to be invests
gated, his activities having been large
~ confined to the single branch OF
the Internal Revenue Service. He
said he would not have any legal as
sistance, but would conduct the In
unaided.