The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-20
Question OF Criminal Proceedings
in Hands OF District
Attorney.
GRONER MAKES STATEMENT
Court OF Inquiry Will Resume
Commissary lnvestiga-
ton To-Day.

Especial 10 The Times Dispatch
Norfolk. Va. December 1s.-District
Attorney ID Lawrence Groner to-day
minated that criminal proceeding:
may be instituted at the January teIm
of the Federal grand jury In Alexan-
dlia against contractors alleged TO
have conspired with and bribed com
Inissary stewards 10 defraud the gov
crnment in the purchase Of food sup
plies for Dattleships of the Atlantic
heet Mr. Groner. representing the
department OF Justice. has attended
very session Of the naval court Of
inquiry. which was convened about
three weeks on board the battleshiI
Vermont TO investigate alleged graf
n the commissaries.
When asked 10 discuss the commits
sary affairs. the district attorney de
clined TO state his plans. likewise re-
fusing to say whether he considered
the evidence secured so far suficien
t. get convictions. lie explained that
though attending the court Of inquiry
rs district attorney. he was hardly
more than a spectator. the matter De-
ing thus far entirely in the hands o;
the court of inquiry. However. the
district attorney gave the following
written statement:
Developments 30 this date do moi
warrant a statement from the district
attorney as to his intentions with
regard to the question 81 crimnal
prosecution Of government oontrac-
tors.
There viii be 10 regular grand jury
term OF Federal court here before
MAJ. but s. the district attorney is
n the opinion tina: he has sufficient
evidence 90 secure convictions he may
decide 10 present the cases Of the con
tractors alleged to be implicated IN
grating 10 the Federal grand jurJ
IN Alexandra which will be in session
there after January D."
Mr. Groner declined absolutely .
say positively whether ne would taxi
this action or not. but IL IS generally
understood in Norfolk that he will
co 50. II after reviewing the great
mass % testimony taken by the cour
- inquiry he considers IL sufficient
mon which 10 ask for convictions.
The court Of inquiry did not NEE
either Wednesday Or to-day. but vii
resume the hearing Of testimony to-
N'N'T wv - NAFA ~ " ANNAA T. tAta ~
-udre advocate general. has been AVA
= nee Tuesday night. and 10 said thai
s,osides comforting with officials 81
;ne Navy Department and the Depart
rlouf % Justice he has learned i'm
uortsnf new evidence during his alb
Scncc lie Is expected in Norfolk TO-
r1crrow morning
Dffcers Of the court Or inquiry ar'
extremely reticent concerning the in
vesfiEation. but 10 is Understood here
on good authority that tho principal
Efforts of the government At present
sre directed az the contractors. ard
that stewards Of the battleships arc
heine given immunity IN exchange foi
valuable evidence against contractors.
since the discovery 81 irregulsrity
o. the part % George T. Davis. COM
rnisssry steward on board the battle
ship LOUISIANA. tho duties 81 the com
rnissary steward have been temporarily
10 charge % Charles Bcnisht. sea-
man. 30 sharp has been the contrast
between the fare given BY Behisht and
short ratious said 10 have been fur
nishcd b. Davis that the crew has 80
pointed committees 70 wait on Captain