Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-04-14
Department Of Justice Retains
Counsel for Secretary OF
Treasury MCAdoO and
Comptroller Williams,
BITTER EXAMINATIONS
AND DENOMINATIONS
Financial Institution Issues An
other CauStiC Statement
Regarding Charges of lrreg-
uIarilieS,


tey rosnna iousnst nrGciAl LrAsro w'Rai
Washington. April l8. - Develop
ments today indicated that the gov
eminent intended 90 do its utmost TO
hack M Secretary McAdoo, of the
treasury. and Comptroller of the Cur
rency Williams in the legal fight pre-
cipitated by the Riggs National bank
in equity proceedings 10
enioin these officials from alleged at
tempts to drive that institution OUT OF
business through systematic ana long
continued persecution.
Attorney General Gregory an
nounced tonight that the department
of Justice had employed Louis u:
Brandeis. Of Boston, special counsel
for the Interstate Commerce commits
sion in the per cent rate case, TO
defend Messrs. Williams and McAdoo
in the Injunction proceedings, lie de-
clared his department and the treas
urv were In accord and heartily CO.
operating in these proceedings.
Legal Conference Held.
If became known also that Jesse G
Adkins. former assistant attorney gen.
eral. who took a prominent part IN
negotiations which preceded the dis
eolution suit under the antitrust act
against the New Haven railroad, also
had been retained in this case.
Mr. Brandeis and Mr. Adkins were
- conference early today with MI
Williams and later with the attorney
general. Late today the attorney
general had another talk with Mr.
Brandeis and with United States DIS
trict Attorney laskey. .,.,.
Officials declined to say Whelller
the government at this time contem
plates ans affifsaative proceedlhss III
addition 10 the defense of Mr. NC
Adoo and Mr.. Williams in the lnluhc-
tion case. 1t was denied. however
that the bureau Of investigation Oh
the department of justice had Under
taken any Investigation OF the affairs
of the Riggs bank, ,.o
The services of this bureau are fre-
ouently called upon when the treasui
denartment feels that 1t has gfouhu
fo, other than civil proceedings
Question for the Courts.
IA was the hope of government law
yare that they would be able TO appear
in The District of Columbia supreme
court ON Friday to make their answer
to the prayer for injunction against
Messrs McAdoo and Williams.
LAWYERS in the case gave attention
today Ia the question of whether the
comDtroller had exceeded ms powers
In certain acts of which the pahk
connulains and 1t was maintained that
for the sake Of precedent to estaDlish
fbis alone would be sufficient 10 m
sure strong defense by the govern
roent II was recalled that wnile inc
courts have consistently declined 10
interfere with the ordinary exercise
of the executive functions by an ON
Ger Of the government, the supreme
court has decided that where an eN-
cese of a power is disclosed, an IN
junction may be obtained.
That the present case may go 10
tho sunreme court seemed entlrey
nrobable. for both sides apparently
are preparing to fight to the endA
statement by Bank.
The bank tonight gave out ioub
statement reviewing charges maze py
Mr.. Williams last night, Th9 pahh
statement called attention to me an
nouncement made by Mr. W Illalns
that INVESTIGATION of the bank had dls-
closed irregularities and the depart"
ment of justice had engaged the ser
vices Of Louis Brandeis some Weohs
ogo as counsel in the case The state
ment recited that at noon To-Day Az
tornev General Gregory stated that
Mr. Rrandeis had not been engaged
Inv tho department Of justice and mat
the statement that he had been re
famed was incorrect at the time II
was made.
Mr.. GregOry's own statement IN re-
gard to the employment of Mr.. Brah-
deis, given out before that OF the
bank follows:
'The department of justice has en-
ployed Mr.. Brandeis to assist IN inc
defense Of injunction proceedings
brought by the Riggs National BANK
I'm to the filing of the suit Yesterday
the department of justice had not pc
fore II for official consideration the
controversies between the treasury
department and the Riggs Natiohal
bank but knew in a general way that
this existed and might result in some
character of litigation. The depart
ment of justice and the treasury de-
partment are In accord and heartiy
co-operating in this suit
Iambasts Comptroller.
The bank in its statement declares
that Mr.. williams takes credit to him-
self Tor tnt ldcl lHal IL ~ ooi
when in fact he caused the with
drawal Of hundreds Of thousands OF
dollars during the summer ana fall OF
1914. "at q time when financial con-
ditions we're exceedingly uncertain In
this country because of the great war
in Europe.
The statement answers Mr.. VIII
liams' charge, made In letters To the
bank. that II loaned large sums TO
women for speculative purposes, by
saving that Washington has probably
more women than any city Of IFS size
in the world who have fortunes, and
adds that it's losses through loans to
such clients have been negligible.
The bank declares that Mr.. VIII
llams has no foundation for the alle-
CATION also made In letters. that Il
has tempted young men and women
to ruin through speculation.
"The fact Is" says the statement,
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