Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-25
.DEBS RETURNS
I T0ATLANTAAT
NOON. TODAY
Refuses to Discuss Trip to
Washington or Visit
With Daugherty.
Leaves City for Federal Pen.
itentiary with Prison War
den and Lawyer.

itentiary with Prison War
den and Lawyer.
Atlanta. Ca, March 25.-Eu-
gene v. Debe, Socialist leader,
reached here at noon today on
his way back to his cell in the
federal penitentiary after his visit
to Attorney General Daugherty at
Washington. He would not dis.
cuss hts trip to Washington. and
accompanied by Warden Zerbet
and his attorney, left Immediate
ly for the penitentiary.
Washington, March 24.-Unattend-
ed and without the knowledge of the
public, Eugene v. Debs.s imprisoned
today from Atlanta penitentiary and
for three hours discussed his case with
Attorney General Daugherty. The un-|
trip Of Mr.. Debs was
made with the approval of President
Harding who recently requested Mr..
Daugherty to review the case Of the
Socialist leader ana make a recon-
on It,
The attorney general, in ann ouncing
b0S0 LoA0y lAdl DcOo 1ldu V1oltcu w ASH
ington and was on his way back to
the Atlanta. ,penitentiary, said that
while there was no precedent for call
ing a prisoner to Washington 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
here to answer in person such in
quiries as the government desires to
ncl To ort, nl Anl <h~$ 1~1
believed he had the authority to
place the prisoner on his honor and he
had assumed full responsibility.
Daugherty Makes. Statement
Debs arrived in Washington early in
the day, went to the department of
justice about .9:45 O'Clock. conferred
with Mr.. Daugherty and Guy D. @Goff.
assistant to the attorney generai from
about 10: 80 to- 1880 o'clock, left Wash :
inGton at $3.50 o'clock on th@ return
trip. 10 prison. His movements from
the time he; J left Atlanta yesterday
were kept strictly secret, except to a
few officials of the department of
justice. For that reason, newspaper
men who gathered late in the day for
the attorney generals weekly confer
ence, gasped and refused for while
ito believe their own ears when they
heard Mr.. DsMgherty say:
Il don't believe have much news
for you, gentlemen, but regarding
ErDebs' visit I have had a statement
prepared" Then with brief ex-
PLANTATION. Mr.. Daugherty gave out
the following statement:
Tn connection with the investiga-
ton Of the Debs case and after con-
ference with the president and with
his approval, had Debs come here
for the purpose of asking certain in
quiries Of him. He has returned to
Atlanta.
" Silence Is Maintained
II have asked him to refrain from
saying anything for publication or
otherwise regarding the subject of
the inquiries made. I am sure no
| we'll meaning person will urge him
that took place on his journey or dur
ing his stay here.
"Debs presented his own case tc
| the trial court and jury. He was
permitted to do so here. The Debs
case, as l have said before. stands
alone. I could not, Of course, go tc
him. What took place and the in
formation I have acquired will be
reported in due time only to the presi
recommendation that may be made
when the investigation is concluded.
| Mr.. Daugherty refused to commen
on the presentment made by Debs o.
his case and declined to answer an,
questions as to what recommendation
he would make to the president, rela
tive to the Socialist leader who wa:
convicted and sentenced in 1918 te
ten years Imprisonment for violation
Of the espionage act.
To Consider Physical Condition
Debs, Mr.. Daugherty said, looked
and acted during his visit much as an!
other man. He was said to be in fair
~ good physical condition. although
apparently somewhat nervous. Th'
prisoners physical condition. Mr.
Daugherty added, necessarily woult
be taken into consideration by th'
government in it's decision as to hi
case. In the penitentiary at Atlant;
Debs is employed part of the time II
the hospital and part in the library
Strict orders were given by the at
torney general. department official
said, that Debs' visit should be KEEP
secret until Mr.. Daugherty was read,
Ito announce it and the orders wer
successfully carried out.
Debs reached the department o
justice this morning about quartz
eral arrived, it was said. Acting unde
Instructions. attendants ushered hin
into the Office of Frank Gibbs, tn
attorney generals secretary, VIII
seated him in a small private room
ad joining Mr.. Daugherty's Office. H
wore a brown suit, slouch hat an
black shoes, officials said, and carrie
an overcoat and black bag.
/. Goes Into Conference
About 1890, after the attorne
general had attended to some presstn
matters. Debs went into conferenc
with him and Col. Goff, and remain
ed with them until about 1880. Ate
1.-The conference he returned to tn
| private office and remained there un
.fil three o'clock when he left the de
partment for the state to take a trai
Tat $3.50 back to Atlanta. He tol
ltoRicials he did not want any lunc
land spent, the hours while awaitin
train time in reading various paper
4 which he took from hts grip.
While he was perfectly Rcourtegu
y Io6icials said Debs WIS not c0namnn
! 1sc4ttve, nor did he evidence any al
} sire to talk either before or afts
4 his, conference with Mr.. DaugheftS.
4 The attorney general, IN hts tai
with Newspaper men. emphasized ths
IL Continued on Page 50
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