Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-06-26
CHARGE OF NJ NAB
IS EMBARRASSING
PRESIDENT AND CABINET GIVE
MUCH TIME TO DISCUSSION
OF THE CASE.

i Washington, .. c., June a.
The house Judiciary committee at
q hearing Thursday will investL
! gate the delay ordered by Attor-
ney General MeReynoids In feder-
al prosecutions at San Francisco
OF Maury Diqqs and Drew c.
Caminetti; Indicted under the
white slave law, and OFFICERS Of the
Western Fuel Co., indicted for con-
spiracy to defraud the customs.
Washington, D. c., June 24.-United
States Attorney McNab's resignation
wired Saturday to President Wilson
I, with startling charges that Attorney
General McReynolds had ordered de-
lays in certain criminal prosecution In
San Francisco which threatened to de-
feat Justice, still lay Enacted before
President Wilson today.
The situation which already has call
ed forth various investigations was
taken up at the cabinet meeting but
Attorney General McReynolds declined
to talk at all.
The impression prevailed that &C
ceptance of the resignation was being
held back pending some further inves-
| tigation at the conclusion OF which
1t either will be accepted or declined.
Yesterday President Wilson called on
MIR. McReynolds for full report on
the incident.
The delayed prosecutions are those
Of Drew G. Camnetti, son Of Anthony
Camnetti, the new commissioner gen.
eral on immigration, indicted under the
white slave law, and officials Of the
Western Fuel Co., indicted for conspir.
acy to defraud the customs.
Look For Acceptance.
While white house officials would not
anticipate the presidents statement
some administration officials under
stood that McNab's resignation would
be accepted and that the president
would designate new prosecutor and
fill an existing vacancy on the federal
bench in San Francisco that the cases
may go to trial almost Immediately.
The presidents statement will prob
ably include a report from the attor-
rey general explaining the circum-
stances which brought about the de-
lay, E.
When the cabinet meeting broke up,
the only announcement on the McNab
case came from Attorney General Nc
Reynolds.
1.-THE president will issue a state
ment on the subject in due course"
he said.
It was understood that the attorney
generals report presented at President
Wilson'S direction was an oral one and
that Secretary Bryan, q friend of the
elder Camnetti and Secretary Lane,
familiar with California affairs, par
t,cipated in the discussion which was
general.
Cases Continued.
San Francisco, Cal, June al
When the cases of John L. Howard
ct al, indicted officers and directors
of the Western Fuel Co., were called
in the United States district court
today, United States District Attorney
John l.. McNab asked continuance
because of difference of opinion be-
tween hmsel fand Attorney General
McReynolds.
"Since these cases were set, GER
tain conditions have arisen in the
matter of the indictments against the
entire directorate of the Western
Fuel Co.," said McNab.
1.-THE attorney general has request
ed me to withdraw from trial at pres |
ent the names of certain defendants. |
I am absolutely unable to agree with
my superior and under the circum'
stances I do not feel that I should
proceed with the cases in hand.
For the reason of my inability to |,
agree with my superior, have ten
dorod NV rocionoti0n ond 6n mt |
think I ought to proceed with the
prosecution of the cases In view OF
these facts"
McNab then asked postponement
that his superior might have the |
handling Of the trial throughout. |
Counsel for the defense agreed and
the cases we're set over until July Is.
For a similar reason, his resigna-
ton, McNab secured continuance
of the cases of Drew Camnetti and |
Maury Diggs.
John L. Howard is president of the
Western Fuel Co. Under indictment
with him, charged with having cor
spired to defraud the government BY
systematic short weighing of over
$500, 900, are Robert Bruce and Sid
ney V. Smith, directors.
The controversy involving McNabs
resignation grew in part out of the
request of the attorney general that
Bruce and Smith be not tried at the
same time as the other defendants.
Successor Named.
It was reported that Judge M. r.
Doing of the California superior court
was likely to be selected for the va
cant judgship and that A. Campbell
Of Los Angeles who has been en-.
dorsed for district attorney for the
southern district of California, might
be- asked to go to San Francisco to
the cases. F --..-.