The Washington herald., 1914-03-14
WARNER DENIES
johnson CHARGE
Never Offered Representative
"Thinly Yelled Bribe,
He Declares.
HOPED FOR RETRAcTIoN
Says Framers Of Constitution Did Not
Intend Consressmen Should Make
Personal Attacks.
HOPED FOR RETRACTION

| Categoric, dignified denial Is found in
the reply of Brainard II. Warner to the
statement Of Representative Ben John
son. chairman of the District Committee
Of the House. on the floor Of the House,
to the effect that Mr.. Warner had offered
him .'thinly veiled bribe." Mr.. Warner
put on replying in the hope that Mr..
johnson would retract. Yesterday Mr..
Warner gave out a formal statement. q
copy Of which follows:
"On the 9Th instant Mr.. Ben johnson
arose in the House OF Representatives
and, availing himself of the privileges and
opportunities Of his position as Rep
resentative from Kentucky and as chair
man of an important committee. proceed
ed to make one of the most unwarranted
and unfounded attacks upon a private
citizen ever delivered in the halls OF
Congress.
when our Constitution was adopted II
never was intended to afford special i'm
munity to Senators or members for per-
sonal attacks or remarks made In either
House of the legislative branch Of the
government, or TO permit them to indulge
in vituperous attacks upon citizens of the
republic.
II have waited before making any
statement regarding Mr.. Johnson's attack
upon me, hoping he would correct at
least a portion Of his statement. He has
not done SO.
Nothing to Do with Article.
II feel Mr.. Johnson's charges involve
the good name of the Capital, as well
as of myself. I have been practically out
Of the real estate business for ten years.
had nothing to do with the article
which appeared In The Washington Her.
aid, at which Mr.. johnson took umbrage
and upon which he founded his speech.
do not deny having aided in calling the
meeting of citizens upon which the COM
inittee of 100 was founded. / never
offered a 'thinly-veiled bribe' or one
with an overcoat on to Ben johnson or
to any one else. / never told him any
member OF Congress had, through me,
made money out Of real estate in the Dis
trict of Columbia. nor took him to any
mountain-top,' figuratively or any other
way.
1T is rather singular Mr.. johnson did
not resent II at once IL l made him any
offer Of an improper character. do not
believe either Speaker Clark or Senator
ment have shielded a self-admitted cor
ruptionist from prosecution. to save the
reputation OF an innocent man.
"True ConsIderation'' Bill.
II am against the passage Of the So
cdileu true consideration Dill because
think II unwise legislation. I presented
at the hearing on that bill kilograms
from different States in the Union show
ing that about forty States do not have
such a law.
The committee Of 100 Is composed Of
men representing nearly all different pro-
fessions and occupations in the District
Of Columbia, and they are OF high char
acter. some Of them with national repu-
tations. They are too much occupied
with public and private business to loaf
around the Willard or any other hotel.
eating luxurious and time-consuming
luncheons while waiting for a public
meeting to begin.
Was It fair or kind In Mr.. johnson
to refer to a suit against me in which
1 was. fully vindicated by the courts?
Suppose 1 had placed in the public press
the record OF the courts Of Kentucky
in Mr.. Johnson's case?
I have lived at the National Capital
since / was a boy, and have such a pa
triotic love for 1t that / would gladly
eliminate my own personality from a
contest which might In the least inter- |
fere with its progress and development |
I have known thousands of Senators and
Representatives, and have found them |
high-toned and honorable men. whom II |
was a privilege to know, and with whom |
has been delightful. and |
am grateful to those who have offered /
to defend me on the floor Of both Houses |
Of Congress"