The Washington times., 1913-06-28
M'REYNOLDS QUOTED
IN DENIAL BY SIMS
Attorney Generals Letter Put
in Record In Defending Com
merce Court Position.

RefutinS charges that his opposition
to the Commerce Court had been partly
inspired by Walter D. Hines, general
counsel and chairman of the board Of
directors of the Atchison. Topeka and
Santa Fe road. Congressman Sims. a
Tennessee Democrat. printed data In
the Record today involving the name Of
the Attorney General In the correspond
ence between Hines and Sims.
Although making no charge of undue
activity on the part Of the Attorney
General, Mr.. Sims passes the buck"
SO far as his short ACQUAINTANCE with
the railroad attorney Is concerned. M
Sims says he doesn't know how Hines
stands on the Commerce Court, doesn't
care and that his only consultation with
Hines regarded certain sections OF the
Sims bill to abolish the court. He con-
suited Hines, he says, because the At
torney General sent letter OF introduc-
ton.
Sims Took Prompt Action.
John B. Daish, an attorney represent
ing shipping interests and who 10 op-
posed to the abolition Of the court In
timated before the House Judiciary
Committee that Mr.. Hines had large
share in the Sims enmity to the Com
merce Court He demanded the pro-
duction of the correspondence and Mr..
Sims promptly printed II in the Record
"Who brought Mr.. Hines or the At
torney General into this thingT' asked
Mr.. Hardwick.
"All know about Mr.. Hines being
in 1t was from letter I received from
the Attorney General commencing
Hines suggestion to my considera-
tion."
The Attorney General explained at
the Department of Justice that this
letter was a routine affair. simply re-
fSrring Mr.. Hines to the author Of
Bill abolishing the court
Hines 90 i. Ga in sso favor AaP Of the n Commerce
Court or not" said Mr.. Sims. Il was
interested in the matter Of transfer
ring the Jurisdiction of the Commerce
Court to the District courts and as the
ter thought II was my duty and moth
ing but proper respect for the Attor-
ney General to ask Mr.. Hines for sug-
gestions regarding my bill. I did so
and see nothing wrong IN 1t.
There is nothing In this correspond
ence to Indicate whether or not Hines is
for or against the Commerce Court, and
1t would not make particle Of differ
ence to me either way"
Mr.. Sims has been on the trail Of the
present controversy follows the recent
to abolish the tribunal. This action was
taken by an overwhelming vote.
Mr.. Sims put into the Record cores
pondence with Mr.. Hines and also the
nolds. The latter advised Mr.. Sims
regarding the details Of his bill.
although Mr.. Smis says he told the
Attorney General he need not go into
troversy as the leaders of Congress
were determined to abolish It The
suggestions OF the Attorney General
were regarding the language of the
bill and Mr.. Sims says that Mr.. Hines
made siniiar sussesuons. three Of,
ure. which has not yet passed
The letter upon which Mr.. Sims predi-
Gates his acquaintance with Mr.. Hines
reads as Follows:
Ny Dear Congressman: am send Z
ing you herwith a copy Of q letter
from my friend, Mr.. Hines, who for
long time has been connected with
interstate commerce litigation as
representative Of the railroads.
What he says IL always worthy Of
very serious consideration. and I
commend his suggestions to you
J. 6. McREYNoLDe, i
Attorney General
Department of Justice.
OfYIce of the Attorney General,
Washington, d. c., May 2, 1913.
On May 6, the Attorney General had
written Mr.. Sims at the request of
the latter. making certain sugges-
tions regarding the text of the Sims
bill to abolish the Commerce Court
and transfer its Jurisdiction. The
Attorney General explained that 'ir-
respective OF the measure, upon which
I express no opinion. I venture to
suggest in line with your views. etc"
The ATTITUDE Of the Attorney General