New-York tribune., 1921-04-18
Persecution by Federal
Agents Charged by Law
yer for Ex-Captain Held
in Killing of Cronkhite
Calder Asks for
New Investigation
Defendant, in Interview
Here, Asserts He Was
Urged to Accuse Pothier

Jonah j. GOldsteln, counsel for for
mer Captain Robert Rosenbluth, yester-
day accused government Investigators
Of attempting to influence witnesses
and of censoring statements which were
favorable to the army officer to build
up a case against his client. Failing
this, and sensing an investigation of
their activities, they are attempting, he
charges, to clear themselves by trans
ferring records and confessions from
Washington to Prosecutor J. w. Selden,
of the State of Washington.
Senator Calder, who has taken an
active interest in the case, has likened
it to the famous Drcyfus case and has
asked Attorney General Daugherty for
an entirely new and thorough investi-
cation. He confirmed some of the
charges made by Mr.. Goldstein.
Rosenbluth is now out on bail in con-
nection with the fatal shooting of
Major Alexander P. Cronkhite at Camp
Lewis, Washington, on October 25, 1918.
Mr.. Goldstein's statement was made
at his residence, 1O3 East Fifteenth
Street, in the presence of Rosenbluth.
who has just returned from Washinp-
ION. The former officer supplemented
The charges made by his attorney.
Innocent Man Held, He Says
"The Bureau of Investigation ar
rested an innocent man." Mr.. Gold
stein said. "Then when they found
that they had nothing on him they
tried to build up case by Influencing
witnesses, and are now passing the
oNck by dumping the whole case on Sell
len against Attorney General Daugh-
srty's orders. Like the New York Po-
ice Department, commissioners come
and go, but the force stays on forever.
This also is true of the Bureau of In
'estlgation of the Department of JUS
ice. 1t is a hangover from the old
Administration and has been running
vlld for eight years, especially during
he war. Attorney General Daugherty
Will clean up this mess, as he has the
nerve to do it,
The first alleged confession made by
Roland p. Pothier and revealed Setur-
lay, in which he accused Rosenbluth
If ordering him to shoot Major Cronk-
lite, was fatty denied both by Mr..
ioldstein and his client.
Rosenbluth, who returned Yesterday
rom two weeks visit to Washington,
where he assisted officials in an in
'estigation Of the charges against him.
said:
Il went to Washington to look up
lames and addresses of former mem
'ers of my old command, Company D,
18th Engineers. While in the capital
learned that Captain Eugene M. CAT
ey, who is cousin of United States.
District Attorney Caffey, of New York,
vas at Camp Humphreys, Virginia.
Captain Caffey is man all the way
through, West Pointer, and W;
Major Cronkhites best friend. He hal
'een head of the buglers' school in our
'egiment, which was formed at Camp
'orrest' Georgia, and then transferred
o Camp Lewis, Washington. l tele-
'honed to Captain Caffey and he said:
Pm SO glad to hear your voice again.
We got something to tell YOU Cap
ain Caffey came up to Washington last
Tuesday and visited me at my hotel.
Caffey Visited by u. S. Agents
Captain Caffey told me that he had
'een visited at Camp Humphreys by
wo agents of the Department of JUS
ice and that they had told him of ny
alleged rotten past, attempting to in
pire a story from hiniXMhich would be
damaging to me. Captain Caffey told
hem that he knew the whole thing was
lie. He also said that it was only
because Major Cronkhite had taken
special measures that I was trans
erred from Forrest to Lewis with the
egiment | said to Captain Caffey,
.fter he told me this: Now, Captain, |
lon't want to use any of these things
lnless you give me your permission.'
!affey replied: You know, Rosenbluth,
hat am man enough to do what
an when l see a wrong done. ] not
nly will give you permission, but
will make an affidavit Then the captain
uggested that l go with him to Sen
tor Calder. He went in to see the
senator while 1 waited for him in the
lall.
Then he came out with Senator
alder and he asked us to go along
nth him. We went to the Office of
attorney General Daugherty. The Sen
tor went in alone and spoke to Assist
mt Attorney General Stewart, in the
(Connued on paus four)
John Daniel. &C