The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-04-17
TO STAND BACK OF OFFICIALS
GOVERNMENT WILL ACT IN BE-
HALF OF MEssRS. WILLIAMS
AND M'ADoO.
Attorney General Gregory Makes
Statement for His Department
Which, He says, IL Acting with
Treasury Department-Riggs Nat
ional Bank Replies To Statements.

- AAhNhAto W uO u uNllOo "
back up Secretary McAdoo of the
treasury and Comptroller Williams in
the legal fight precipitated by the
Riggs National bank. complainant In
equity proceedings to enjoin the off,
Gals from alleged attempts TO drive
that institution out OF BUSINESS
through systematic and long con-
tinued persecution.
Attorney General Gregory an
nounced tonight that the department
OF justice had employed Louis ID.
Brandeis OF Boston to defend Messrs.
Williams and McAdoo in the injunc-
ton proceedings. He declared his de-
partment and the treasury were CO.
operating In the proceedings. 1t be-
came known also that Jesse c. Adkins,
formerly assistant attorney general,
also had been retained In the case.
Oficials declined to say whether
b government at this time contem-
plates any Affirmative proceedings In
addition to the defense OF Mr.. Nc
Adoo and Mr. williams in the injunc-
uon cases. IL was denied. however,
that h bureau OF investigation OF
the department OF justice had UNDER
taken any investigation of the affairs
OF the Riggs bank.
Lawyers in the case today gave at
~tsntion TO the question OF whether
the comptroller had exceeded his
powers I'm certain acts OF which the
bank complains. and II was main
tanned that for the sake OF precedent
TO be established. this alone would be
snfieient to insure a strong defense
by the government. IL was recalled
that while the courts have declined
to interfere with the ordinary exer-
else or the government. the SUI
premo cour had decided that where
an excess OF such power Is disclosed
an Injunction may be obtained.
That the present case may 20 to
the supreme court seemed entirely
probable for both sides apparently
are preparing to fight to the end.
The bank tonight gave out a state
mont reviewing charges made by Mr..
Williams last night. 1t called atten-
ton to Mr.. Williams announcement
that investigation OF the bank had dis
closed irregularities and that the de-
partInent OF justice some weeks ago
had engaged the services OF Louis ID.
Brandeis as special counsel in the
case. The statement recited that at
noon today Attorney General Gregory
stated that Mr.. Brendies had not been
engaged by the department OF justice
and that the statement he had been
retained was incorrect at the time 1t
was made.
Mr.. Gregory's own statement In re-
gard to the employment of Mr..
Brandies. given out before that OF
the bank. follows:
The department a employed Mr..
Brandies as special counsel to assist
In the defense of the injunction pro-
ceedings brought by tho Riggs Ma
uonal bank. Up to the fling OF the
suit yesterday the department had
not had before IL for official consid-
Grafton the controversies between the
~treasury department and the Riggs
National bank. but knew i'm n general
way that these existed and might re-
suit In some character OF litigation.
The department and III treasury de-
partment are In accord and heartily
cooperating In this suit"
The bank. in its statement. declares
that Mr.. Williams takes credit to him
self for tho act that the bank Is SOL
vent when in fact he caused the
withdrawal OF hundreds OF thousands
OF dollars during the summer and fall
Of 1914 "at a timo when financial
conditions were exceedingly uncertain
In this country because of the great
war I'm Europe"
The statement answers Mr.. VIII
Jams charge made In letters TO the
bank that II loaned large sums to wo-
men for speculation purposes by say
Ing that Washington has probably
more women than any city OF it's size
In the world who have fortunes. and
adds that its losses through loans to
such clients have been negligible.
The bank declares that MIR. VIII
llams has no foundation for the al
legation. also made In letters. that 1t
has tempted young men and women
to ruin through speculation.
The fact U.s." says the statement.
that the officers OF this bank have