Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-01
Andrew Wilson Declares He
Believes Money Was Accept
ed for Liquor Licenses.
duplicates PARTICULARLY
H. S. BAKER AND GEN. SMITH
Latter Enters Denial of Charge of
Anti-Saloon League Head-No
Evidence introduced.

A direct statement tina: he believed
members of the excise board had ac-
copied money for the issue of liquor
licenses was made to the Senate COM
mittee investigating the excise board
today by Andrew Wilson. president of
the Anti-Saloon League
The statement, which created a great
er sensation than any other testimony
yet given before the board, was made
in answer to questions read to Mr..
Wilson at the request Of the excise
board
IT have no personal knowledge OF
any member OF the board having re-
ceived money" said Mr.. Wilson, but
my opinion is that money has been re-
ceived."
Mr.. Wilson then gave the committee
the reasons for his belief duplicating
particularly Gen. Robert G. Smith,
chairman Of the board, and Henry S.
Baker.
Gen. Smith Enters Denial.
After Mr. Wilson's testimony. Gen.
Smith, who was in the committee room,
took the stand and swore that he per-
sonally had never received a dollar
for the issue of licenses.
THE excise board desires to have all
the light it can on this terrible accusa-
tion," said Gen. Smith 1T is terrible
arraignment. 1 realize that am speak
ing under oath and say that In all my
official life here and elsewhere l have
never benefited to the value of dollar
in any way except through my salary.
The charge duplicates colleague, and
through a colleague, and 1 would ask to
have my colleagues summoned by the
committee" Gen. Smith had reference
to the fact that Mr.. Wilson had told the
committee he based his belief in the cor
ruption of the board through statements
made to him by Cotter T. Bride, a men,
Der of the board.
DO you know yourself Of my having
taken any money!" Gen. Smith asked
MIR. Wilson, with the permission Of the
committee.
II do not" replied Mr.. Wilson. Il
have merely told the committee my be-
lief and the reasons for it
Shoemaker Doubts Money Charge.
Albert E. Shoemaker. attorney for the
Anti-Saloon League. was then called
to the stand at the request of Gen
Smith, and asked the same questions as
those put to Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Shoe
maker corroborated the testimony of Mr.
Wilson regarding the statements alleged
to have been made by Mr.. Bride, but
said that he did not believe that Gen.
Smith or other members of the board
had taken money for issuing licenses,
or had been recompensed in any other
way.
II answer no to these questions" said
Mr. Shoemaker. II have heard the
stories about large sums of money
passing In connection with the issue
Of licenses, but 1 have never been able
to bring myself to the belief that men,
bers of the board have received money
for issuing licenses"
The statement of Mr.. Wilson, which
came at time when the hearing
seemed to be practically completed
caused a stir in the committee room,
and may lead to considerable investi-
cation.
Wilson Quotes Cotter T. Bride.
The excise board had filed with the
committee a statement in answer to
charges which have been made against
IL during the hearing. Senator Shop
nard. chairman of the committee, then
produced a letter signed by Gen. Smith
as chairman Of the board, requesting
that Mr. Wilson and Mr. Shoemaker be
asked by the committee whether they
believed the board or any member of
it had received money or any other
recompense for the issue of licenses
Yes, in my opinion" was the reply
of Mr. Wilson. He then proceeded to
give the committee the reasons for his
belief.
told by Cotter T. Bride, member of
the excise board. that there was no
way to stop the board from it's course
unless congressional investigation
were had. He said that Mr. Bride had
advised that the matter be taken up
with Senator Jones.
Il went to see Senator Jones'" said
Mr.. Wilson. IT discussed the matter
with him and said that ! would write
to President Wilson, calling his atten-
ton to the matter. Senator Jones said
the President should be given an oppor-
tunity to deal with the situation. and
that 1t would be better not to seek a
congressional investigation at that
time"
Conferred With Secretary Bryan.
Mr.. Wilson said that he had a confer
euce with Secretary Rryap and went