New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-25
Ordered Postponement.

Impressed by Secretary Wilson's state
ment Of his embarrassment, and desiring
of course, If possible, TO relieve him,
without stopping to go through the files
and so refresh my recollection concerning
any particular circumstances Of the case,
I sent the United States Attorney the
following telegram
The Secretary Of Labor advises 1t Is
matter of public importance that Com
missioner Of immigration Caminetu re-
main at his post here. | do not now wish
the government 10 be in a position Of in
sisting upon trial OF young Caminetti and
Digs. charged with violating white slave
law, during enforced absence of the
father, who is performing necessary pub
lie duties. In view Of all facts. you are
instructed to postpone trial Of these cases
until the autumn
The pOstponement Of a criminal cas-.
so recently Instituted as this was is not
an unusual proceeding. and II did not
occur TO me that any malign motive
would be attributed to me. II | had an
ticipated that any fair-minded man.
knowing the facts. would place such
construction upon this ordinary act
would have been scrupulously careful TO
avoid II. II is essential not only that
the administration of justice shall he free
from Partially or improper influence but
that even the appearance Of such things
should be avoided. ! do not even hope TO
escape mistakes. but I am profoundly
conscious that my actions are free from
unworthy motives.
ney. held a position Of peculiar trust
and confidence. demanding the utmost
loyalty TO the department. IT, az such an
officer should do, he had awaited himself
of the opportunity TO send a dispatch
recalling my attention to the peculiar
conditions which he thought rendered the
proposed action inadvisable, as | had al
ways heretofore done, I should have
given earnest consideration to his sug-
gestions and with them before me could
have acted with the local conditions fresh
in my mind
McNab Should Go.
Instead Of pursuing this manifestly
proper course he waited until June % and
then published the sensational kilograms
wherein he imputed base motives TO me.
His conduct has. of course. made it i'm
possible for him TO continue in the
prosecution of this case, however. de-
sirable that otherwise might have been.
Under the circumstances the only
course open is TO accept his resignation.
II. therefore. suggest an Immediate con-
ference between us for the purpose Of Sc
lecting some counsel whose ability, char
acter and reputation are so high as 10 in
sure the proper conduct Of the case. and
that he he put in immediate charge. with
instructions promptly and vigorously TO
prosecute IL to a conclusion.
Western Fuel Company Case-This is
an indictment against five directors Of the
Western Fuel Company, charged with
participating in conspiracy TO defraud
the government on coal drawbacks II
was found in February last
so far as | can recall, there was no
occasion for me TO give this case any
personal consideration until April 30. last,
when ! received a letter from Secretary
Lane In which he inclosed one from Sid
ney V. Smith. a defendant, without rec
ommendation. Mr.. Smiths letter sought
20 show that the things complained Of
we're done by others; that although ne
was director. he was not a participant
in any criminal act and that the case
should be dismissed as to him.
Il sent a copy OF the Smith letter TO
District Attorney McNab. with re-
quest for his views. on May 90 he re-
piled, giving review OF the evidence
and expressing the view that all five OF