Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-25
DEBS PAYS VISIT TO CAPITAL
and C0NFERS With DAUCHERTY

Washington, d. c., March 24.-Un-
attended and without the knowledge
of the public, Eugene V. Debs, i'm
prisoned Socialist leader, came here
today from Atlanta penitentiary and
for three hours discussed his case with
Attorney General Daugherty. The I'M
precedented trip was made with the
approval of President Harding who re-
! Gently requested Mr. Daugnerty to re-
view the Debs case and make a recon-
mendation.
The attorney general, in announcing
Debs was on his way back to Atlanta,
said that while there was no precc-
dent for calling a prisoner mere with
out a guard, it had been decided in
conference with President Harding that
inasmuch as Debs had defended
himself at his trial he should come to
answer such inquiries as the govern
ment desired to ask
Mr.. Daugherty added that he believed
he had the authority to places the pri-
soner on his honor and that he had
assumed responsibility.
Debs arrived early in the day. went
to the department of justice about 9:45
O'Clock. conferred with Mr.. Daugherty
and G. ID. Goff. assistant to the attor-
ney general for about three hours and
from the time he left Atlanta yester-
day were kept secret. For that rea-
son newspapermen who gathered for
the attorney generals weekly confer
ence refused for n minute to believe
their ears when they heard Mr.. Daugh-
erty say:
Il don't believe l have much news
for you gentlemen, but regarding Debs
visit l have had n statement prepared"
ihen Mr.. Daugherty gave out the fol-
! lowing statement:
| In connection with the investigation
| of the Debs case" he said, in the
statement and after conference with
| the president and with his approval
| had Debs come for the purpose OF
/ making certain Inquiries of him. He
| mas returned to Atlanta. l have asked
MIN to refrain from saying anything
regarding the subject OF thes inquiries
made. am sure no well meaning per
son VIII urge him to discuss the mat
ter or anything that took place on his
Journey or his stay here. Debs pre-
sonted his own case to the trial court
ana jury. He was permitted to do 50
here. The Debs case. as I have said
pcfore, stands alone. ] could not, of
course. go TO him. What took place
and the Information 1 have. acquired
VIII be reported only to the president
and that in connection with any re-
commentator that may be made when
iHc lnNcstlgltlOn is concluded. DrhE
came without guard and so returned
TO Atlanta Colonel Guy u. Con-, as
sistant to the attorney general. was
present during the inquiries"
Ir. Daurhcrty refused to comment
on the prcscntmcnt made by Debs and
declined to answer questions as to
what recommendation he would make
to the president relative to the So
cialist leader who was sentenced in
1918 to ten years Imprisonment for vi
olntion OF the espionage act.
Dcbs, Mr.. Daughcrty said. looked and
acted much az any other man. He was
said to be in fairly good physical condl-
uon. altho apparently nervous. The
prisoners physical condition, Mr. !
Daughcrty added. necessarily would be
taken into consideration by the gov
tentiary Dcbs is cmpioycd part or the |
time In the hospital and part in the |
library. IL
Debs reached the department of JUS |
ticc about quarter OF an hour before |
the attorney general arrived. II was |
said. Acting under Instructions at
tcndants ushcrcd him into the office ui |
Frank Gibbs. the attorney generals |
secretary. who seated him in u small |
private room.
He wore a brown suit. siouch hat |
and black shoes. officials said and car. |
riCd AN ovcrcolt and black bag.
About io:30 o'clock Dcbs went into /
conference with the attorney general |
and Colonel Con- and remained with |
them until about 1880. Hc then re-
turned to the private office and re.