The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-03
EXCISE PR0bERS
TO DROP CHARGES
Senate Committee Will Not
Investigate Anti-Saloon
League Allegations.
HOPE TO REPORT SOON
Findings May Be Ready Tomorrow.
Baker and Bride Deny Statements
of Andrew Wilson.
HOPE TO REPORT SOON

The select Senate committee investigat-
ing charges against the District EX-
else Board virtually determined yester-
day not to delve into the serious charges
named against two members of the board
by Andrew Wilson, president of the Anti
Saloon League.
Because of the impending adjournment
of Congress. members OF the commit
tee decided to make no attempt either TO
substantiate or refute the charges by
examining the men mentioned by Mr..
Wilson.
The committee will meet this morning
to review the testimony and to prepare
its report Chairman Sheppard said last
night he hoped the report would be I'm
ished late tomorrow.
Charges Are Denied.
Henry = Baker an" Cotter T. Bride.
members Of the board. yesterday sub
mittct sworn statements 10 the c)in'
mIttcc denying absolutely every charS"
made against them Monday by the
president of the Anti-Saloon League.
Mr. Baker denied that he ever at
tended horse races and declared he had
never received any money from collec-
lions said to have been made for his
benefit by his son and by w. F. Co.
lumbus.
Il deny" said he. every statement
or insiruation of improper conduct
upon my part that has been given IN
evidence by any witness"
Mr.. Bride likewise denied in detail
the allegations against him made by
Mr.. Wilson. Here are some of his de-
nials:
Il never stated to Mr. Wilson or
to any other person that there was no
way to stop the Excise Board except
by Congressional investigation. The
statement that | did so state is with
out foundation. From my observation
of my colleagues while ! have been
member of the board their conduct in
the performance of their duties has
been open and above board and honor
able in every respect.
q never stated to Mr.. Wilson that
il would be better for him not to
write to the Secretary of State be-
cause things were in such a condition
that it might not become necessary to
write either to the~Secretary or 10 the
President of the United States 1
never heard OF such a thing until Mr..
Wilson's testimony before the commit
tee yesterday.
"Never Told of Stomachache."
Il never stated to Mr.. Wilson nor to
any other living person that Gen.
Smith or Mr. Baker had in their pos
session a great deal of money lately.
and that | did not know where they
got it. / never saw either of them
with any money in their possession ex-
cept when they received their salaries.
and a small amount of cash-S5 or $40
in amount. And l specifically deny
that / ever made the statement that
unless the board were restrained Gen.
Smith and Mr.. Eaker or Gen. Smith.
Mr.. Baker and Mr.. Sheehy would clean
up 100000.
Il never stated after the granting
of the Mccarthy license in the Evans
Building. that Gen. Smith and Mr..
Baker had stomachache through nerv-
business or fear. At or about that time
was the only member of the board
who was sick and | was suffering from
an attack of indigestion. which at
tack had nothing TO do with the grant
ing of license in the Evans Building.