Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-08-07
SENATOR ALLEGES THAT JUDGES
ARE INFORMED EVEN AS TO
WHAT SORT OF DECISION THE
MEN HIGHER UP WANT.
WOULD PREFER THE RECALL
LEGISLATOR GETS CLEAR OFF
THE RESERVATION WITH DE-
MAND FOR IMMEDIATE AND
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.

Washington Aug. THE fiat
charge that the department Of justice
agents had Investigated federal judges
to influence their action in cases in
which the government was Interested
was made in the senate today by SEN
ator Borah and endorsed, partially at
least, by Senator Norris.
Senator Borah's charge was brought
out by report from Attorney General
McReynolds, responding to senate
resolution asking where federal agents
we're investigating judges. The reso-
luton reflected some sentiment arous-
ed in the case OF Federal Judge speer
Of Georgia, whose court had been in
vestigsted, and who had attacked the
department OF justice in public
speech. The attorney general replied
that any report that the federal de-
partment Of justice was maintaining
a system Of espionage over Judges
twas entirely without foundation
Mr.. Borah responded with his
charge. 'T know this is a very serious
charge" said he, ''but am so reliably
informed that I make the statement
that within the last four or five years
special agents have carried on such
investigations with view to Influen-
cling judges"
Senator Norris declared he did not
have all the information Senator Borah
had. but that he believed his state
ments were based on fact.
The attorney generals report de-
clared that only three judges had
been Investigated, one Of whom was
Robert w. Archibald.
Senator Works, who introduced the
resolution denounced the attorney gem
erals report today as "evasive'' and
unsatisfactory and announced he
would make further demand for in-
formation
Senator Borah's charge was charac.
terized as Startling" by Senators
Crawford and Sutherland. The latter
declared it needed investigation and
that If such sinister influences con
tinued, the end 81 the republic was in
sight
Senator Holze Smith asked Senator
Borah for the exact time when fed
eral agents had been making efforts
to influence judges in behalf Of gov
ernment cases. T think it has been
going more or less continuously for
the last four or five years, responded
Mr.. Borah.
These judges are practically under
the control OF the department as far
as promotion and demotion ii con.
cerned," said Senator Borah. "They
have been made to know what the
government desires in cases and even
what kind Of a decision the govern
ment desires handed down. II we are
going to have Judiciary subject to
secret Influences / am in favor Of pop
ular election and recall Of judges
Senator Colt 81 Rhode Island de.
clared that IN his 81 years exper-
ence on the federal bench in New
England never had an ATTEMPT been
! made by the department Of justice to
i Influence judges. He knew, however
e that special agents had been sent to
4 New England.
d No final action was taken on taa
!. attorney generals report.
b NO inspectors or other agents are
J. appointed by the attorney general q
, By the department Of justice specific.
s atty To investigate and report on lhs
" conduct on PROCEEDINGS q any Of ths