New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-07-20
McFadden Accuses Con-
troller of Getting Part of
25, 900 Commission for
Sale of Washington Site
Quick Denial Is Issued
House Committee to Take
Up Allegations Mondays;
Other Infractions Alleged
Ne,U York Tribune
Wnohinnkot, R,..nna.

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. July 19.-The direct
charge that the Controller Of the Cur
rency, John Shelton Williams, shared
in $4,000 fee paid to his brother
in-law in connection with the sale of
the Arlington Hotel site in this city to
the government was made by Rep
resentative McFadden, of Pennsyl-
vania, before the House Rules Com
mittee to-day
Mr.. McFadden asked that the COM
mittee report special rule making
mmediately in order his resolution
official acts, aside from his conduct as
Controller Of the Treasury, by a select
committee Of the House. He renewed
the 'tice he had given previously
that he would impeach the Controller
on the floor of the House if the Senate
Banking and Currency Committee
recommends confirmation of his nomi-
nation for a new term of five years
by the Senate.
arate charges, any one of which would
Justify an investigation of the Con-
troller's activities by the House. He
specified only the Arlington Hotel
charge to-day. The committee will con-
tinue its consideration of the request
Monday.
Quick Action is Urged
Haste was necessary, the Pennsyl-
vania Representative said, because evil
dence upon which he depended to prove
his ArlingtoT Hotel charge was being
destroyed. If he were to 60 into other
charges that he will make against Mr..
Williams, he said, the proof of these
charges also would be done away with.
Controller Williams issued state
ment tonight in which he denied that
he was In any way connected with the
Arlington Hotel purchase. His brother
ln-law's firm negotiated the deal, he
said, but he had no knowledge of the
fees received. He said he had repeat
eddy invited Mr.. McFadden to submit
proof of his charges to the Senate
Banking and Currency Committee, and
upon being informed of days pro-
ceedings before the Rules Committee
had asked Chairman Mclean, of the
Senate committee, to summon the
Pennsylvania Monday.
McFadden Offers Proof
Mr. McFadden told the committee
that he would substantiate his charge
by showing the transfer of funds by
Dank RECORDS and by witnesses.
Representative Pou, of North Caro-
lima, former chairman Of the Rules
Committee, said it was the custom Of
the committee to insist upon prima
facie evidence sufficient to convict be-
fore granting a special rule for in
vestigation resolutions.
Chairman Campbell decided that
since Mr.. McFadden's charges, if sub
stantiated, would be made the basis
for impeachment proceedings, and since
Mr.: Williams had publicly invited a
full investigation on many occasions,
proof was not necessary in advance of
| committee action.
81 have been urging Mr.. McFadden,' ~
Mr.. Williams said, "by direct letters to
him, made as singing as possible, to
push the investigation into my conduct
at which he has been limiting since
February Five days ago sent him
an additional letter Of challenge.
have suggested to Mr.. McFadden tina.
his most expeditions course and his
duty is to present any charges that he
may have before the Senate Committee
on Banking and Currency, which now
has before it my denomination. l am
scheduled to appear before that COM
mittce Monday, but will cheerfully give