The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-07-16
HAS HAD W. ]. BURNS
HUNTING FOR EVIDENCE
A MASS OF SENSATIONAL TESTI.
MONY IN AUGUSTA.
The Charges Made Against Governor
Blease by Fielder and His Detec.
tiyeS.

Augusta, Ca, July 12.-Detectlve
William J. Burns testimony to the
effect that the operations of his detec-
tive, Reed, would show just whether
or not Cole. L. Blease had been graft
ing as senator and governor constl-
tuted the feature of the session to-
night of the dispensary investigating
committee.
1t was sensational and big with
statements affecting the record OF
Governor Blease. MT Burns man,
Reed, will go on the stand tomorrow
morning.
The committee adjourned at $50
until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
w. J. Burns testimony, as taken
from the official stenographer's min
utes, follows:
How Burns Entered Case.
Bv Mr.. Fielder: "Give the committee
in narrative form the history of your
connection with this Investigation"
Burns: "Some months ago met
Col. Fielder at Washington, D. c., and
he told me of this situation that he
wanted investigated. A year or two
nroyious to that he had endeavored to
secure my services in this matter, but
I was making the investigation OF
graft in San Francisco This last time,
however, the colonel had endeavored
to get me to take it up personally, but
I told him it would be impossible, as
I had great deal Of work on hand.
"He then explained to me what the
situation was, and when I found that
men occupying high public positions
were involved, I felt that it was my
duty to take it up, and I told him
/, would. ...,,.--~~
eve arranged for a conference at
Augusta and I came down here and
) met the colonel and couple OF gen.
tlemen from South Carolina and an
other gentleman from Atlanta, Ga. We
went over the case. These gentlemen
made statements to me which l con-
fess shocked me, Notwithstanding the
fact I am making Investigations all
the time involving men in high places.
"I felt from the statements that had
been made that it was absolutely true,
because it is not difficult to determine
from the details of case whether
they are well founded or not.
Detectives Start Work.
81 told Col. Fielder would take it
up. I detailed Mr.. Bailey. He is one
of the men that made the investiga-
ton in Columbus, Ohio, that resulted
in the conviction of a number of men
in the legislature. I instructed Mr..
Bailey as to what he was to do down
there. and I particularly cautioned
Mr.. Bailey that wanted him to learn
for my personal information whether
or not many of the things Col. Fielder
and the other gentlemen told me about
were true.
81 was unable to take up the mat
ter in the first place for Col. Fielder
and he was unable to get the best AS
usual, private detective sometimes
falls down. Ali over the country in
my public utterances l am warning
the public of private detectives, be-
cause so many of them cloak them
selves with the calling solely for the
purpose of robbing and blackmalllns
and selling out their clients. l was
interested in the matter, although not
prejudiced against those was inves-
ugatlng.
From Another Angle.
eve always approach these matters
with an open mind and even when we
frd our clients in the wrong we state
the case to them and drop it. Just as
Col. Fielder told me, l found that situ-
alton was there. l then decided to
take it up from another angle and Sc
lected Mr.. Reed.
'Mr. Reed has done some of the
cleverest work in the country. He has
lust finished at Atlantic City, where