Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-25
ATTORNEY GENERAL BREAKS
SILENCE

made las, week by Attorney General
Daughoity and be glad that he has
broken his long silence and will
get a vivid impression that at
tempting to bring the war rascals
into court is a formidable task. 1t
il very evident. however. the De-
parlmcnt possessed such information
that despite the abuse that was
hcapcd on the Attorney General.
Congress without a dissenting vote
approved the appropriation for which
ho asked.
Here Is the way in which he dcs-
slihcs the Vaccinations to which
tile Department has been subjected:
THE opposition of crooks was con-
Quoted behind "A smoke screen or
calumny created for their own escape,
snd the real reason for the attack
was. in every instance, withheld.
The worry men against whom both
civil and criminal proceedings have
been brought were using the ignorant
and the notoriety- seeker to make
charges In the open that nothing was
being done 10y the Department of
Justice The real reason for their
activity was tho fact that things were
being done What did any mans
reputation, his character. his life,
even, amount TO II it stood in the
way OF their corrupt defense? But
we have gone through it all. and still
We are not afraid, and we will go on.
A congressional investigation was
demanded. why? Because they
could then. as they thought. disor-
ganiZc us and compel us to produce
the evidence prcmaturely and thus
dissipate tho governments efforts to
bring and try the cases in a dignified
orderly way before the courts of jus
tice OF the country. They have tried
FOR months 10 force an investigation
and trial OF these cases before con-
gtcsFional committees that have no
judicial authority. and in the daily
press. This VIC have not done. This
We Will never do no matter what the
temptation and no matter what the
provocation. unless. under the direc-
tion Of Congress. as expressed by du-
" authorized legislation, we are
compelled to scatter to the four
winds the facts and evidence of the
government which would enable the
guilty to escape civil and criminal Ii
ability"
Apparently ways were found by
many TO swindle the Government and
avoid being legally held for the rascal
ity. More than a hundred cases says
the Attorney General. "of tremen-
dous magnitude. representing billions
OF dollars are now undergoing a pro-
cess of what might be terpcd liqui-
dation. Recoveries will be made:
many settlements will be made and
have been made; and many
transactions will be terminated
successfully. will not make prom
iscs that do not think will be kept.
and | want now to say to the AM
erican people that the great unjusti-
fable loss. even considering the raw
ages OF war, which the government
was compelled to sustain. can never
be recovered. because. when the story
of these contracts and transactions
are truthfully written in the records
OF the government as they will be, it
will he found that the greatest loss
resulted from improperly made con-
tracts wherein the interests Of the
government were not properly pro-
tcctcd. and improvident settlements
tnn made and do wit hOlYf
judgement. and made carelessly,
rocklcsslv and possibly prcferentially,
but where actionable fraud. dishones-
~ and conspiracy cannot be specif-
iCalIv proven: all OF which is ncces-
snry for conviction. and in most civil
eases necessary for recovery"
While General Daugherty adhcres
courts rather than on the stump. the
following would indicate that his pa
thence has been severely taxed:
I'VE would have heard little criti-
cism OF the Department of Justice
had itnot been discovered that a case
like the Chemical Foundation for in
stance Gin which valuable patents
were assigned by public officials to
companies which they themselves had
organized). was under investigation
and the part played by those involved
also was being scrutinized by gov
ernment agents.
and let me here. without giving
any in'imation as to who the mer
we're. let me suggest that have had
he unique experience % sitting in
he Department of Justice and listen
ing TO the story of a man formerly
connected with the government and
rearing patiently his pleas for Ger
ain fairly legitimate concessions
when. at the same time. in the city
Vt New York. another official. one Of
lis associates. was busily engaged ir
getting contributions in order that
attacks upon the Department Of JUS
ice and the government might be in
.reased reinforced and successfully
ontinued."
Those OF us who recall the Ions
patience with which the Government
abored To bring the labor controver-
~ to a settlement, who have not for
gotten the wilful injury inflicted or
the public and from which we have
- la. means of sta |.