Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-04
!. THREATEN ACTION
IN SEARCH CASES
Federal Government Expected to
Take Legal Steps at
Early Date.
CASKET IS BROKEN OPEN
Letter Is Sent to Governor West
moreland Davis by At
orney-General.
IS BROKEN OPEN

WASHINGTON.Aprii 3.-I.egal steps
may be taken by the Federal govern
incht 10 put stop to thc alleged pro-
iniscuous searching Of railroad trains
in Virginia by Federal agents.
This was indicated today when the
United States railroad administration
called 20 the attention Of the Depart
ment OF Justice the action of the depu-
ties who, on the pretcnse of searching
for contraband liquor. boarded Il Nor
folk and Western train at Roanoke.
Va. Monday night and opened n casket
containing the remains Of Robert h
Chapman. OF Norton, Va
In communication from John Bar
ton Payne, general counsel for the
railroad administration, TO Attorney
General y. Mitchcll Palmer, the cir
cunstances Of the incident were pre-
sented for such action as the situa
tion requires" \ copy Of the letter
70 The Attorne%-Gencrhi was inclosed
BY Mr.. Payne in note TO Governor
Ncstmorcland Davis. Of Virginia.
Send Letter to Governor.
The Enclosure read as follows:
My Dear Mr.. AttorneyGenerai.-
beg 70 call your attention TO the fact
that i, is alleged that Federal officers,
said TO have been Deputy Collector G.
h: Wallace Coleman and officer Stultz,
Of Roanoke, Va, under some pretense
of authority in searching for liquor
opened caskct which contained the
remains Of Robert L. Chapman, a prom :
inent citizen Of Norton, Va. who had
OF tho Winchester Fire Arms Company.
died in New Haven. Conn. and his re-
mains were shipped from there 10
The facts are stated in an article
in the World News. of Roanoke. which
has just been transmitted 20 me by the
Governor Of Virginia.
Il felt that YOU would be glad to
h;,s naye tniS nfo5mat!Gn; SO tha, YOU
~" JOHN BAR:TroS fPaYFNs:E."
Get Copy of Letter to Peters.
The letter TO Governor Davis read:
My Dear Governor Davis.-Please
letter of the lst instant. inclosing copy
of your letter 10 DIR. Peters. which
trust will be OF substantial service. ]
want you TO feel that it is the. earnest
! desire OF the dirtctor-gene to CO.
! operate with the State authorities ir
the enforcement Of state laws. and i,
/ 70 be any confiict.bstween the States
| and 2fthc railroad administration, and
; this end; note with interest the news
! paper clipping opening OF the caske;
! containing the remains Of Robert l.
cral solicitor of the Norfolk and West
port. With great respect, I am
..,G,9 T9Yrs VERY I!r truly
"a i ~
General Counsel. United States Rail
road Administration"
Widespread Interest in CnNc.
The situation in Virginia is attract
ing widespread interest here, inasmuch
as tho outcome of developments In
tina, state may have an important bear
ing on tho enforcement of national
prohibition when the country as a
whole goes dry.
Prior to the incident of the open
ing OF the, casket. the railroad admin :
istrat!on had written Virginia state
authorities complaining Of the reports
OF improper treatment of passengers.
Including women. on the Pullman cars
going through Virginia by agents pro-
Tossing To be searching for contraband
liquor.
John Skelton Williams Comptroller
OF the currency, was asked today IL the
story that his railroad apartment had
been invaded By Virginia detectives
searching for liquor vioia;ors. said:
Neither my. baggage nor the baggage
been examined or searched by liquor
inspectors in the State On a recent
occas sion, the door OF my railroad
apartment was opened by an Inspector,
but he did not enter. have been per-
sonally subjected 10 no indignities in
this connection