The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-10
RUSSELL NOT ID
 APPEAR BEFORE
 PROBE COMMITTEE
Governor Offers, However, to Communicate Any Mat terS Which MaXCome to
 His Attention
By Associated Press

Jackson. Miss, March 9.--Gov. Lee Nj. Russell does not plan to appear in person before the legislative com mittee Investigating charges made in special legislative message 10 the Mississippi legislature that a 'pernicious" fire insurance lobby was being maintained here incidental to the present session of the state as- sembly and allegations that suit for damages, recently filed against the governor by Miss Frances Birk- head. former stenographer, was fo tered by certain fire insurance in terests.
 Governor Russell so informed the committee in d communication de- livered to the chairman shortly be- fore the committee recessed for sup per after hearing three other wit nesses during the initial day of the inquiry.
 Tt is not my purpose to appear before the committee to discuss the message. as | have presented to you. in my communication of this date, what | regard as the salient facts. " Governor Russell told the committee in his btter addressed to Repre- sentative A. II. Stone, chairman Tn reply to a committee inquiry. "if. however. l can be of any further ser vice to you and if other matters come to my attention while your body is delibcrating, l will be glad to communicate the same to you. IT you desire to advise with me, l will he glad to receive NoG, or any mem Der of your committee. in the gov ernor's office. Ut such time as will be convenient
 The previous communication re- fovrcd to by the governor was a lengthy typewritten statement re- iterating the charges made in his message to the legislature and sug- gesting that the committee summon Stokes V Robertson, state revenue agent from whom the governor stated he received much of the i'm formation on which the allegations were based.
 Robertson First Witness
 Mir. Robertson testified as the first witness. He explained that what he had learned was largely from other persons ard gave the names of wit l.esses to be summoned.
 Mir. Robertson was without infor- mation. as To any connection of in- surance interests with the suit filed by Miss Birkhead which charged thc govcrrur with seduction. He told the comm eg. in answer to Ques- tiUn. thal t, new nothing of the merits OF 0cmcrits of the suit.
 Another question by committee man as to whether he could testify i8 to t6c aliegation of the governor shat liquor Mas conspicuous about the frcnGcaVuus of the lobbyists brought d suggestion from MT. Robertson that persons more familiar with the hotels be called to testify.
 Mr. Robertson told of reports rcachlnS NjH that the Mississippi Fire Insurance company, a state or taniaa:iou formed after the with e~awal of d number of foreign com- r.inics subsequent to the filing of antitrust suits against them in De- cember 9a0, had been coerced into ap- proving certain legislation now pend ing before the legislature. This however. was denied by George A Wilson of Greenwood president of the Mississippi organization. who testi- fled that the suggestion that his conn pany approve the legislation came up in connection with meeting of q state organization of insurance agents and that his concern regarded the measure as having to do with the formation of state rating bu- reau.
 r. r. Becl CT of Brookhaven, secre- tary of the sta Q agents association. testified along the same lines IS MT. Wilson. He also denied a st -tement made by Governor Russell that the meeting here at which the bill was discussed several weeks ago, was in secret.
 So far as the suit of Miss Birkhead against the government was concern ed Mir Becker said he had no knowledge and declared emphatically that his organization did not aid the young woman in the institution of the suit
 He also declared that. so far as he knew, there had been no lobbying.
 No intimation was given after the afternoon session as to whether any further communication to the gov ernor was contemplated by the com mittee.
 The opening of the hearing today followed several days of preliminary conferences and postponements due to the inability of he governor to appear to present his opening state ment Tuesday and passing of the inquiry owe. Wednesday because of a business engagement which requir- ed that the committee chairman be absent from the city on . business mission. SEl MA u0I nc cEC0Nn