Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-20
M'FADDEN CHARGES
PROMPTLY DENIED
Accuses Comptroller of Interest in
Sale of Land to Gov
eminent.
SAID USED OFFICEFOR PROFIT
Pennsylvanian Threatens Move for
impeachment Unless Probe
Is Conducted.
SAID USED OFFICE FOR PROFIT
tnv Associated Premr

WASHINGTON. July l3.-An entirely
rev set Of sensational charges was
sprung today out of the fight on the
Feappointment OF John shelton Will
lams as Comptroller of the Currency
Representative McFadden. Of Penn
Eylvania. appearing before the House
Rules Committee, charged that Will
.iams assisted his brother-in-law
Lewis G. Williams. of Richmond. Va
IN the sale OF an office building site
IN the capital TO the government. and
that the comptroller shared in the COM
mission for the sale. McFadden de-
provide for the investigation he would
move the impeachment OF the comp
troller from the floor OF the House.
Comptroller Williams Immediately
categorically denied McFaddens
charges, declaring his brothcr-in- law
acted as an attorney for property
owners. and that the comptroller not
only had no concern in the transaction
but received no part OF any commits
sion. The comptroller also called on
the chairman of the Senate Banking
Committee. holding hearings on his
denomination. TO summon McFadden for
Monday morning TO give testimony and
be confronted by the comptroller.
Denies New Charges.
Comptroller Williams. in state
ment issued today, said the charges
made py Mr. McFadden were utterly
without foundation and "a ialsehood
from start TO finish" He declared he
had no interest in the sale of the Ar
ington property 10 the sovernmr Mt
and received no compensation in con-
nection with ii.
Mr. Williams said the Richmond law
firm Of Williams G. Mullcn mad been
attorneys for the owners OF the prop
erty for many years. and that If any
compe nsation was paid to 1t the pay
nIent was for professional services.
adding that he had no interest in
that.
Evidence that the comptroller made
use Of his Office for private gains is
in my possession Mr.. McFadden saiu.
1t is very complete II shows that
with purchase by the government OF
the Arlington Hotel property for
$4,000 He aided his brotherin-
prepared to prove that he received
Dart of the commission"
"Rnther Not" Give Details Now.
Mr McFadden declared he also could
prove that Mr.. Williams had taken part
rious nature" Mr.. McFadden told
Representative Pou. Democrat. North
Carolina. he would rather not" go into
details OF the charges before the COM
mitte- now
Il do not wish to make public any
more than have TO at this time" he
terfore with my purpose. have every
reason TO believe that discriminating
evidence is being destroyed. VI the
right time | will bring forward wit
nesses whose character will prove the
soundness OF information they give"
MIR. Pou questioned the advisability
of ordering the investigation, declar
ing IL would "injure the dignity OF
the rules committee" TO take favor
able action on every resolution OF such
a nature brought forward by mem
Der OF Congress who had grievance
against some public official"
ION the other hand" said Repre-
sentative Rodenberg, Republican, Hi
nois. Il consider the charges so serious
that they cannot be ignored. If proven
they would lead to the impeachment
of the comptroller"
The committee postponed final &C
ton until Monday.