The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-03-30
DEBS VISITS
WASHINGTON
Attorney General Summons
Prisoner From Atlanta For
Conference

Washington, March 24.-Unattend-
cd and without the knowledge of the
public, Eugene V. DcbS imprisoned
socialists leader, came to WaShin9-
ton today from Atlanta penitentiary
and for three hours discussed his
case with Attorney General Daugh-
erty. The unprecedented trip of Ir.
Debs was made with the approval of
President Harding, who recently re-
quested Mr.. Daugherty to review the
case Of the Socialist leader and make
recommendation on it. The attor-
ney general, in announcing late to-
day that Debs had visited Washing
ton and was on his way back to the
Atlanta prison, said that while there
was no precedent for calling a pris
oncr to Washington without guard,
it had been decided in conference
with President Harding that mas
much us Debs had defended himself
at his trial he should come here to
answer In person such inquiries as
the government desired to ask Mr.
l)aughtery added that he believed he
had the authority TO place the pris-
oncr on his honor and that he had
assumed full responsibility.
Dcbs arrived in Washington carly
IN the day, went to the department
OF Justice about 9:45 o'clock, confer
red with Mr.. Daugherty and Guy ~.
Goff, assistant to the attorney gen.
eral, from about 1890 TO 1880 and
left Washington at $3.50 o'clock on
the return Zip to prison. His move
| mcnts from the time he left Atlanta
yesterday were kept strictly secret
| except 20 few officials OF the de-
partment OF justice. For that rea
son newspaper men, who gathered
late in the day for the attorney gen.
6rals weekly conference gasped and
refused for minute or two to be-
| licvc their own ears when they heard
MIR. Daugherty say, Il don't be-
lieve | have much ncws for you,
gentlemen, but regarding Debs' visit
| | have had statement prepared >
Then with brief explanation Mr..
| Daughcrty gave out the following
| statement:
| In connection with the investiga-
| ton OF the Debs case and after con-
ference with the president and with
his APPROVAL, / had Debs come here
|
quiries of him. He has returned to
Atlanta. i have asked him to refrain
from saying anything for publica-
ton or otherwise regarding the sub
ject OF the inquiry made. | am suro
no well meaning person will urge
him to discuss this matter or any
thing that took place on his journey
or during his stay here. Debs pre-
sented his own case to the court
and jury. He was permitted to 40
SO here. The Debs case, as have
said before, .. stands alone. / could
not, of course, go to him. What took
place and the infrmation l have ac-
quired Will be reported in due time
only to the president and that i'm
connection with any recommendation
that may be made when the investi-
cation is concluded. Dcbs came here
without guard and so returned to
Atlanta. Col. Guy d. Goff assistant
TO the attorney general, was present
during the inquiry.
Mr.. Daugherty refused to comment
on the prcscntmcnt made by Debs Of
his case and declined to answer any
questions az to what recommenda-
ton he would make to the president
Irelative TO the Socialist leader who
was convicted and sentenced I'm 1918
to ten years imprisoneinent for vio-
Ilatiop. of the espionage act.
| Debs- Mr.. Daughesty said, made
the visit much as any other man,