The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-09-08
BARS. WILSON NILS IN !.
CLAIMS COURTS
LAW OF 1873, IT is REPORTED IN
WASHINGTON, MAY BE STRICT
LY ENFORCED.
OTHER NOTABLES affected
Representative Edmonds Of Pennsyl-
vania Has Introduced a Bill Strength
eninq the Old Statute and Fixing
Severe Penalty for Its Violation.
BY Toward B. CLARK.

Washington.--Ther is an old law,
passed by congress in 1873, which pro-
vides that former federal officials shall
not appear as lawyers to prosecute
claims against the government arising
in their tenure or until they had been
two years out of office. This law has
been disregarded for years, but the
statement has been made here that
steps will be taken to enforce it strict
!y. ",
This would affect many officials or
the last administration now practiclng
law here, including Woodrow WILSON
and cambridge Colby, who have law
partnerships; Robert Lansing, A.
Mitchell Palmer, Joseph P. Tumulty,
Edgar E. Clark, until recently chair
man Of the Interstate commerce COM
mission; Robert w. Wooley, former
member of the commission; Robert L..
Scott, former secretary to Mr.. Palmer;
Daniel C.. Roper and William NJ. Will
liams, both former commissioners OF
internal revenue; William II. Lamar,
former solicitor Of the postoflice de-
partment, and other well-knOWn men.
The statement was made at the same
time that the department Of justice
was considering an even more stringent
proposal, made by Representative Ed
monds Of Pennsylvania, that the pro-
hibition against appearing in the
claims should be heightened from two
to three years, should extend to former
members of any governmental activt-
ties, and should be punished by a fine
Of $4,000 or two years. Imprisonment,
or both. -
The Edmonds proposal is in the form
of bill which the author has already
introduced. .
Daugherty's Aid Discusses 1t.
According to Assistant Attorney
General Guy D. Golf only informal &c
ton has been taken by the department
of justice on the Edmonds bill. APP
prevail has been given to the measure
as being on sound legal grounds. One
afternoon, some time ago, when Colonel
Golf was giving testimony on an anti
lynching bill, he was asked questions
concerning the EdmOnds bill. He says
that his replies were the only express
sion he had given on the subject.
The present law preventing former
officers from presenting claims says
they must not appear in such matters
if the claims arose during their tenure
in office or for two years afterwards.
No penalty is attached to this old law
Of 1873, and there may have been some
violations of it. i.
Former Attorney General Palmer
made q ruling that no one connected
with the office of alien property Gus
tOdian could, upon resigning office, take
part in claims before the section of the
department Of justice which handles
these claims. Colonel Golf said that
the present administration Of the de-
partment had readopted this ruling.
The ruling of Mr.. Palmer applies to
Thomas J. Spellacy, former assistant
attorney general, and to Frank P. Gar
van. former assistant attorney general
and later alien property custodian.
Burns Succeeds Flynn. =
No surprise was expressed in
Washington when. Attorney General
Daugherty announced the other day
that he had appointed William J.
Burns of New York to be director
Of the bureau of investigation of the
department of justice. 1t: had been
runlored for several months that Mr..
Burns would he selected to, succeed
William !! Flynn. 2tIe and Mr.. Daugh-
erty are personal friends. and ha'is al
so 4 friend Of President Harding and
supported him in the campaign Of 1920.
In making the announcement. the
attorney general sHitlS:- H.! l.
II have known Mr., Burns personally
for thirty years and have watched,hin,
develop in his speciality. He Is familiar
with all the departments Of the govern,
ment,: is an intelligent and courageous
man, and ut this time especially is con.
sideretl to he as high Il class man rs
could he secured to assume the i'm
portant duties assigned him. The bu
reau will be reorganized as expedi
tiOusly as possible and brought to the
highest DOint Of efficiency