New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-15
Officer of Bank Declares
This Was Done Early
in February.
LAWYER NOT THEN
FEDERAL ATTORNEY
Administration Expected to Line
Up Against National City
Bank Crowd"

Washington, April 14.-While no
explanation was offered to-day by
either Attorney General Gregory or
John Shelton Williams. Controller Of
the Currency. as to the question Of
Vcracity between them in their official
statements concerning Louis d. Bran
deis's connection with the Riggs Ma
tional Bank case. the Importance OF
the time when he was engaged de-
Ncioped to-day.
Article No. - of the bin fled by the
Riggs Bank against Williams ana Sec
rotary McAdoo IN the District Supreme
Court declares that Mr.. Williams
showed to a person not IN the govern
neDt employ a copy of correspondence
between his Office and the bank, con-
tanning facts as 10 the banks business.
An officer of the bank told The Trib-
Une correspondent that Mr.. Williams
had shown this correspondence to Louis
D. Brandeis early in February when
Mr.. Brandcis was not in the employ OF
the government. with q view TO bring
ing a suit against the bank. To avoid
this charge, the banker said, the Con-
troller now wished TO have II appear
not that he was consulting Mr.. Bran
deis personally with a view to bringing
SUIT. but officially, as the attorney
detailed 20 the case by the Department
Of Justice. The bank officer declared
.rat the Attorney General was unwill
ing 90 consent TO this subterfuge, and
hence the conflict over the date be-
tween the Attorney General and the
Controller.
The banker said that the Controller,
before calling in Mr.. Brandeis, in Feb
iuary. had failed 10 find anything in
the many statements he had obtained
from the bank as to various transac-
IONS on which he could bring a suit;
that Mr.. Brandeis in his examination
% the papers had failed to find any
thing. and then the Controller assessed
the fine Of $4,000 against the bank
and refused to designate it as re
serve bank for other national banks
10 use.
Tic banker declared that il it had
20. been for the suit OF the bank
against the Secretary and Controller
nothing more would have been heard OF
hc investigation conducted by Ar.
Brsnde,s.
Properly Shown. Says Williams.
When asked about this, Controller
Williams said that when he showed the
papors TO the person not employed by
.he government" he had ample right
81 suppose the banks officers mean
hat showed the papers to MI
Rrandeis." said Mr. Williams. "All
mat ] care TO say is that when those
uaper. were shown TO any one they
vcrc shown with perfect propriety.'
"Wil criminal prosecutions be made
s-ainst the officers Of the bank on the
charges Of irregularities and unlawful
practices which you alleSe?' the Con-
troller was asked.
That will be determined IN due
tine" Mr.. Williams answered.
WAS not the intention in retaining
AIR. Brandeis, az you say, back in Feb
ruarv. to bring criminal prosecutions
against the bank officers" he was
asked
81 dont know whether it takes
four-horse team OF a dog TO bring that
ont" snapped Nh Williams, but it IL
leading question and | decline TO
answer it,
Nav Abolish Controllers Office.
There is considerable talk about put
ting bill through Congress to abolish
The Office Of Controller, and it is stated
hat one Senator has declared privately