The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-03-25
DEBS PAYS CALL
AT WASHINGTON
ATTORNEY GENERAL SUMMONS
PRISONER FROM ATLANTA
DAUCHERTY PLANS UMPIRE.
CEDENTED JO- RNEY AND IN
TERVIEW WITH APPROVAL
OF PRESIDENT

ed and without the knowledge of the
public, Eugene v. Debs, imprisoned
Socialist leader, came to Washing
ton today from Atlanta penitentiary
and for three hours discussed his
case with Attorney General Daugh-
erty. The unprecedented trip of Mr..
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
a 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-
oner to Washington without guard,
it had been decided in conference
with President Harding that mas
much as Debs had defended himself
at his trial he should come here to
answer in person such inquiries as
the government desired to ask. Mr..
Daugherty added that he believed he
had the authority to place the pris-
oner on his honor and that he had
assumed full responsibility.
Debs arrived in Washington cary
in the day, went to the department
of justice about 9.45 o'clock, confer
red with Mr.. Daugherty and Guy D.
Golf, assistant to the attorney gen.
eral, from about 1880 to 1.30 and
left Washington at $3.50 o'clock on
the return trip to prison. His move.
nents from the time he left Atlanta
yesterday were KEEP: strictly secret
except to a few officials Of the de-
partme n: of justice. For that rea-
son newspaper men who gathered
late in the day for the attorney gen.
erals weekly conference gasped and
refused for minute or two to be-
lieye their own ears when they heard
Mr.. Daugherty say, 81 don't be-
lieve Ijhave much news for you
gentlemen, but regarding Debs' visit
l have had a statement prepared" /"
Then with brief explanation Mr..
Daugherty 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, I had Debs come here
for the purpose of making certain in
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. I am sure
no we'll 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-
,nted his own case to the trial court
and jury. He was permitted to do
so here. The Debs case, as have
said before, stands alone, I could
not, of course, 60 to him. What took
place and the information I have &C.
quired will be reported in due time
only to the president and that in
connection with any recommendation
that may be made when the investi'
CATION is concluded. Debs came here
without guard and so returned to
Atlanta. Col, Guy D. Golf, assistant
to the attorney general, was present
during the inquiry
il Mr.. Daugherty refused to comment
on the presentment made by Debs OF
his case and declined to answer any
questions as to what recommends
ton he would make to the president
relative to the Socialist leader who
was convicted and sentenced in 1918
to ten years. Imprisonment for vic.
lation of the espionage act.
Debs, Mr.: Daugherty said, made
the visit much as any other man.
The prisoners physical condition,
Mr.. Daugherty said, necessarily
would be taken into consideration by
the government. In the penitentiary
at Atlanta Debs is employed part of
the time in the hospital and part of
the time in the library.