The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-24
Western Agent Adds
His Quota to Sensa-
tional Episode.
HIS CASE WILL BE
QUICKLY HANDLED
Wilson Calls for Full Report on
Causes Which Led Attorney
General to Order Postpone
ment Of White Slave Case
Trial-Mann Makes
Bitter Attack.


Washington. June 23-Attorney-
General McReynolds will make a full
report to President Wilson at the
Presidents request. upon causes which
moved him to direct postponements Of
the Diggs- -Caminetti white slave cases.
and the trials of two directors of the
Western Fuel Company, the basis of
the resignation of United States At
torney John L. McNabb. of San Fran
cisco, and his sensational charges
against the head of the Department of
Justice.
One of the days most remarkable
developments in the unusual episode
was the receipt by the President of "A
telegram from Clayton Harrington,
special agent of the Department of
Justice. in charge of the Federal Bu-
reau OF Investigation at San Francis
co. demanding the removal from office
OF Attorney-General McReynolds Of
ficials tonight declared that the ques-
tion of summary action in Herring
tons case probably would be taken UP
by the Attorney General
The Department of Justice was in
ignorance of the special agents pro-
test until its publication this after
noon. 1t was then called to the at
tention OF the Attorney General. Early
in the day, before Herringtons request
became known at the department. Of
ficials were somewhat mystifed and
later amused by the receipt OF a tele-
gram from another special agent ap-
plying for the vacancy" at San Fran
cisco.
Looking for Successor.
While no action has yet been taken
on the McNabb resignation. White
House officials let it be known that
q l,a Il. Ill.
cessor. They stated that the character
of the new district attorney would
soon show whether there could be any
manipulation Of the case by the De-
partment OF Justice through political
influences. as charged by District Al
| torney McNabb
steps to-day. preliminary to n final
determination of the controversy were
many. The President said his first
intimation of the situation was CLEANED
from the newspapers. and declared he
would wait for the Attorney Ii enerals S
report before determining his course
The episode found an echo in the
halls of Congress, where Representa-
tives Kahn, Republican, of California
and Hinebaugh, Progressive, of Illi-
nois. introduced in the House resolu-
tions. one calling for official papers in
the case and the other for an investi-
CATION by the Judiciary Committee.
the Caminetti- Diggs case, for the post
ponement of which Secretary Wilson
OF the Department. OF Labor yesterday
took responsibility.
Assistant Attorney General Harr to-
night assumed full responsibility for
the order TO Attorney McNabb to post.
pone the trial of Robert Bruce and Sid
ney V. Smith, directors of the Western
Fuel Company. on charges of customs
coal frauds.
Fears Miscarriage of Justice.
This postponement mentioned in Mr.
McNabb's telegram of resignation 10
the President was ordered. declared Mr.
Harr' to prevent a possible miscarriage
of justice.
The trial of the entire Western
Fuel case was not ordered postponed
said Mr.. Harr, but only the trials OF
Bruce and Smith, who were indicted
with three other directors of the com
pany. Bruce and Smith were only di-
rectors. while the other three defend
ants were officials as we'll as directors
Attorney Pringle, for the company. ask
ed that the indictments of Bruce and
Smith be dismissed on the ground of
no evidence TO connect them with the
alleged frauds. l carefully studied the
evidence in the case submitted by
united States Attorney McNabb, and
reached the conclusion that Bruce and
Smith. who seemed men of high char
acter probably were innocent as an
parently they were unfamiliar with
the operations of the company In or
der TO prevent miscarriage of Justice.
! recommended, and Attorney General
McReynolds acquiesced.' that it would
pe petter to try first the three direc-
Tors who were officials. because this
trlal undoubtedly would develop the
extent or the connection of Bruce and
smith with the alleged frauds.
IL seemed unwise to run the risk of
cohVicting two innocent men along
"itp three men who might be guilty
when the ends of justice would he fully
satisfied by later trials If the govern
ment received evidence which II did
Tot then possess OF the guilt of Bruce
and Smith,"
tFholds Attorn"y-GcneraI.
Earier in the day the President up
heid the Attorney General in his order
nostpom'ng the trial of Caminetti until
the tali in order to allow his father to
be present. The President said that
ne believed this was the only humane
thing.
Representative James r. Mann, au-
'hor of the Mann white slave law. is
suen a statement late to-day demand
ing the resignation or discharge of
Comnissioner-Genera OF Immigration
Caminetti because of his alleged part
IN checking the prosecution in which
Caminettfs son is involved.
The statement of the minority lead
er OF the House reads as follows:
The Republicans will call upon the
Attorney-General. through ~ House
resolution, for q statement OF all the
facts In his possession relating to the
Caminetti case, under the Mann white
slave law. Mr.. Caminetti. the father.
recently has been appointed Commits
sioner-General of Immigration because
OF his prominence in Democratic poll
ties and not for any known efficiency.
Mr.. Caminetti, the son., Is under In
dictment for violation OF tho Mann act.
The only way tho son can oe acquitted
rs by hampering the case. The influ,
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