Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-01-21
Another West Virginia Sensation.

in this State by the arrest and indlctmen
of A. Leo We'll, prominent Putsour'
lawyer and chief counsel OF the Manu-
facturers' Light and Heat Company,
wealthy corporation that controls YER
considerable proportion OF the natural ga
output of West Virginia. We'll was ar
rested on train last Thursday while OF
his way TO Parkersburg, on warrant tina
charged him with having attempted II
bribe members OF the Public Service
Commission of West Virginia. he wa:
taken to Charleston, where he was he'll
in $25, 900 bail to await hearing. Bal
was furnished and he was released.
Well issued a statement in which h
declared that his arrest was a frame-uI
and was caused by State officials who de-
sired to prevent him from pushing GER
tain legal proceedings TO prevent inter
ference with the company he represented
He made complete denial OF the charge:
against him and declared that the Public
Service Commissioners had been "im'
properly and illegally influenced. and hac
been directed by Governor Hatfield tC
make an order against my client or hano
in their designations within tweuty-foul
hours" He was very bitter against The
Governor, whom he accused OF debating
the policy of the commissioners.
Wells charges were ans ~ered by Gov
ernor Hatfield in a statement issued Sat-
urday night, in which he said that he heSl-
ted TO answer Wells "abSurd and utterly
unfounded" assertions, AMI Inc Governor
added:
"This is not the first attempt at black
mail by this tool OF big interests. Ere
Quent opportunities have been given 10
HIM TO Substantial these Statements, hut
on each occasion when the opportunity
was afforded his charges have fallen flat.
He had his paid hireling in my office un-
der the guiSe OF newspaper mau TO gain
information which would involve me in
this regard. His representative received
a respectful hearing and was courleouS.y
treated, but obtained no evidence tor the
reason that there was none obtalnab'e.
Not satisfied with this failure, he has CON-
tinuously persisted in bounding myself
and others. He can well afford 10 90
this when he has backing him d cornora-
ton with capital of twenty tour million
dollars. He feels that they are big ana
powerful enough 10 successfully defeat
any State regulation. The false decl5ra-
tionS made al ParkerSburg before the ted
eral court are lily conceived plans 10 con-
tinue the litigation in the courts and to
prevent so long as ii may be possible any
order looking toward their regulation BY
the State. Some representatives OF cor
porations have very peculiar idea as TO
their sense OF duty and responsibility TO
the public and the agencies OF govern
ment afforded for the protection OF the
people. These interests have had full and
unbridled sway since the formation Of the
State. They were at liberty to Tx any
rate they cared TO until the legislative SeS-
sion of 1913, when the public service law
was enacted. | court the fullest inveS-
tlgation OF my connection with the case
and the charges made by the representa-
tiveS OF the gas company corporation. -
Another thrilling chapter TO the story
was added on Monday, when a special
grand jury at Charleston indicted We'll on
four counts, two for felony and two for
misdemeanor. The felony indictments
charge him with being an accessory be-
fore the fact in hiring c. d. Elliott, for
mer Adjutant- General OF the State, TO
offer Howard N. Ogden, member OF
the Public Service Commission, a bribe
OF $50, 900, and with hiring Elliott 10 at
tempt to bride Charles H. Bronson, an
other member OF the Commission, by
offering him $4,000 10 testify that they
had been influenced by Governor Hat
field in rendering decision in the ap-
plcation OF the Manufacturers Heat and
Light Company to increase IFS rates
The indictments for miSdemeanor charge
We'll with being the principal in the at
tempted brblng. Only two witnesses
appeared before the grand jury, Guy B.
Biddinger, detective, and Charles d.
Elliott. Elliott'S appearance and teSti-
mony. before the grand jury will render
him immune from prosecution for being
a party TO the alleged bribery. The in
dictments charge that the agent OF We'll,
Charles d. Elliott, made the offer 10 Og-
den on October "a, and 10 Bronson on
November Is. The indictment OF We'll
caused a further sensation.
Commissioner Bronson is quoted as
saying that We'll never approached him
personally, nor had he been offered a
bribe in the name OF the Manufacturers
Heat and Light Company He did admit,
however, that he had been approached
with ten thousand dollar bride. II is
said that dictagraph records play an i'm
portant part in the plot. According TO
the belief OF some of our State officials,
this case will prove to be one OF the most
sensational ever known in West Virginia.
An important Decision.