The Washington times., 1913-06-24

the Administration, according, to the
universal conviction.
Accordingly, the storm over the
Caminetti case, as 1t is called. has
/ stirred Mr.. Bryan, who realizes It's seri-
GUS political import.
McReynoIds Unconcerned.
/ Attorney General McReynoids, accord
ing to all who have been to the De-
partment of Justice since the scandal
began, Is seemingly less concerned than
Mr. Bryan by the clamor now going on,
and the one move made by the Depart
Hlent Of Justice is to have Assistant
Attorney General Harr take the re-
sponsibilfty for delay IN the Western
Fuel Company cases. Unquestionably
Mr. Harr did recommend that postpone
ment be granted in the case Of two
directors, as he states in an interview.
But direction to accord this interview
came from the Attorney General
One feature Of the case II that the
public blame for delay in the Caminetti
case in being directed entirely against
the Department of Justice, and Secre-
tary of Labor Wilson Is scarcely
spoken of. although IL was Mr.. Wilson
BY his own statement, who induced Mr..
McReynolds to order McNab to delay
the trails of Caminetti and Diggs. The
general sentiment seems to be that Mr..
MeReynolds Is really responsible, no
matter what activities Secretary Wilson
displayed. Friends of the Administra-
tlon betray real concern over the
political effect of the sensation.
The Republicans in Congress announce
that they will press the matter to the
utmost and Democratic leaders admit
that they can offer little objection to an
Investigation without making matters
worse from their standpoint
Another Conference.
Assistant Attorney General Harr held
another conference with Attorney Gem
erai McReynolds last evening, his third
conference IN two days, and soon after
ward announced that responsibility for
delay in the cases Of two Western Fuel
Company cases is his. Mr.. Harr had re-
fused to discuss the case earlier In the
day. although admitting that he had
charge here OF the prosecution of the
officers and directors Of this company.
The postponement, Mr. Harr explained.
Is In the case OF two directors, Robert
Bruce SID Sidney V. Smith, No delay
has been ordered in the case of the
other ofnciafs, They are charged with
The trial Of the entire Western Fuel
Company has not been ordered post
poned." said Mr.. Harr but only the
trials of Bruce and Smith, who are In
dfcted with three other officials of the
company. Bruce and Smith were only
directors, but the other men indicted
were officials as well AZ directors.
carefully studied the evidence SUBJ
mitted by United States Attorney Nc
Nab. and reached the conclusion that
Bruce and Smith. who seemed men Of
high character. probably were inno-
cent, as apparently they were directors
In the usual sense and unfamiliar with
the operations of the company.
In order to prevent a miscarriage OF
Justice l recommended, and Attorney
General McReynolds acquiesced. that it
would be better to try FIRST the three
directors who were officials, because
this trial undoubtedly would develop the
extent of the connection of Bruce and
Smith with the alleged frauds
1T seemed unwise to run the risk-of
convictfng two innocent men along with
three men who might beguilty, when the
ends Of justice would be fully satisfied
by later trials IL the Government re-
ceived evidence which II did not then
possess, of the guilt of Bruce and
Smith,