The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1920-07-12
Sells Places Reece
in Bad Light

Hon Som X. Sells when asked te
day relative to his candidacy foi
Congress said:
II have thus far made no state
ment for publication, notwithstand
ing | have been vigorously and vic.
iously attacked by Reece and his pc.
litical sponsors, Sam Thompson, Pau
r. Devine, Sam w. Price and d few
others for sometime. With CHS crowd
fighting me, 1t has appeared to me
that no active campaign on my part
is necessary. However, at later date
| shall have something to say In an
swer to their charges against my rec
ord, and I may incidentally discuss a
flew other matters Of some interest to
THE people.
"Just at this time | merely desire
to call attention to one Of the state
ments made by Lieut.. Reece which
places me in false light with people
who do not know me, and which in
cidentally indicates the mthods which
he is willing to employ to promote his
interests.
"He charges in his speeches that
lust before his announcement, ne
called by my request at my office
that after he came | was rudely dis
courteous; that / boasced Of my or
ganization and my wealth, both OF
which | proposed to employ against
him should he become candidates
and that when 7 got ready to quit /
would name my successor.
"Not knowing that Reece was n
Johnson City, II Is ridiculous to say
that he came to see me at my invita-
ton. But there Is just as much truth
in this as in the remainder OF his
statement, every word of which !
emphatically deny. TO prove that this
il untrue, submit herewith sworn
statement Of the gentleman who
brought Reece to my office.
Shoun's Statement.
Shortly before Lieut.. Carroll Reece
announced his candidacy for Congress
he came to me in Johnson City and
requested that / make an appoint
ment with Hon. Sam R. Sells, for
conference. saw Mr.. Sells anf
told him that Mr.. Reece wished to
see him, and he replied that he woulf
be glad to meet Mr.. Reece, either IT
his own or my office. Accordingly
accompanied Mr. Reece to Mr.. Sell, :
office, introduced him and was IN
vited by Mr.. Sells to remain during
the conversation, However, let'
shortly afterwards. I have seen Mr.
Recess statement to- the ettect- ina
Sells asked him in an insulting man
ncr. "Who are you?" Sells made nc
such statement, but greeted him IT
very cordial manner. ! have also
seen the statement that Reece made |
that Sells boasted of his organization
If his wealth and that he would just |
NJ 500 soon -smash him as anybody; also
chat Sells starDd that he did not ex-
meet to remain in Congress always,
hut intended to name his successor
when he retired know nothing
concerning the truth or falsity OF
these charges, as ! was not present
during the whole Of the interview.
Reece, however, came directly to my
office after the interview had ended,
and told me that. while Sells would |
not agree to withdraw in his favor
he. (Sells) treated him in a very
courteous manner and that the inter
view was satisfactory. Reece told me
before leaving my office that he was
going directly, that day, to the lower
end of the district. Upon his return
to Johnson City, several days later
he stated that Sells had insulted him
I assume that Reece came to me tol
,.aouast This interview with Sells on