Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-29
DAUGHERTY'S MOVE
MAY QUIET CRITICS
Appointment of Thomas to Aid
War Fraud Probe ls Timely
Maneuver
FOES AMMUNITION - SHOT
BY CLINTON w: GILBERT

stsh Correapsndsnt Evening Pablo Iedser
Copyright. 1881. bv PvSNc LEDGER Co,npon,
Washington. May 2e.--Attorney
General Dausherty made the first in
teiiisent move that he has made since
criticism began to asssil him when he
named ex Senator G. 8. Thomas. Of
Colorado. TO assist In the prosecution OF
the war frauds. Mr.. Thomas is Dem
ocrat. a lawyer Of ability, with an ex-
cellent reputation for independence and
integrity.
He possesses the confidence of Sem
ators and Conyressmen and his appoint. L.
nent will do much to stave of the in
vestieation authorized by the House
Rules Committee, but held up BY the
House organization, which Mr.. Daugh.
erty especially desires to avoid.
The appointment of Mr.. Thomas re-
calls that Of Secretary Hughes by Pres.
ident Wilson 10 prosecute the aircraft
investigation during the war. a scan.
dal similar to the present one had
arisen. President Wilson wished to
clear his Administration Of It. And
as an evidence Of good faith he caused
leading Republican lawyer to be put
in charge Of the inquiry.
The. Thomas appointment falls short
former Senator from Colorado has not
the reputation with the public that the
Secretary Of State has. Moreover, Mr..
Hughes received full authority. The
aircraft inquiry was turned over to him
outright.
Thomas Only Associate
In this case Mr.. Daugherty retains
control Of the cases himself and merely
associates Mr.. Thomas with him in q
sort Of board Of review. If the Attorney
General retires into the background and
leaves the war frauds entirely in the
hands Of his Democratic adviser he will
take the wisest possible course to quiet
the present attacks. upon him.
The political crisis caused by the at
probably for the moment passed.
Senator Caraway and Representatives
Woodruff and johnson have fred all
their best ammunition. They had in
their possession certain evidence which
had been collected by former agents Of
the Department Of Justice who were
dissatisfied with the failure of the At
torney General to act. They have no
means Of collecting more.
And so careful is the department not
to have any more critics emerge from
among the we'll Informed officials Of the
department that even open talking Of
the sort which a little while ago was
punished as disloyal now only brings
rewards.
Grim Conversation Overheard
4 curious case is that Of Assistant
Attorney General Grim. Grim is a high.
class lawyer of courage and indepen-
Jonno ,,.bo bou hooy, dicnOntapfod od vii n
the work Of the Department of JUS
tice. A few days ago woman who
had been guest at his house was trav-
cling to Detroit with Representative
Patrick Kelley. who is a candidate for
Senator in Michigan. She talked free
ly about Crim's discomfort with the
attitude of his superior. Mr.. Daush-
erty. and especially told Of the efforts
of Senator's Townsend and Newbury
TO have prosecutions in the Lincoln
Motors case. one Of the alleged war
frauds. delayed. Mr.. Kelley is can.
didate against Senator Townsend in
the Republican primaries.
Behind Representative Kelley and the
woman who was talking sat Paul H..
King. manager of the Newbury cam
versaton and made stenographic notes
Of il. He reported to Senator New
bury. who wrote to Grim protesting
and undoubtedly complained to the At
torney General about his assistant. The
only result has been that Mr.. Grim
has been assigned to especially impor-
tant work in the prosecution OF the war
frauds.
This use Of Mr.. Grim shows now
deeply concerned the Attorney Gen"
cral is over the attacks made upon him.
So. too. does the conference on the Sit
ua.ion which took place this week :end
on the Mayhowcr. the results Of which
are yet undisclosed.
Candidates Arc Annoyed
The politicians feel that much dam.
age has been done to the Republican
party and those who have to face re-
election this fall would be well pleased
IL somehow the Attorney General could
be eliminated.
But for the moment the Attorney
General has the tactical advantage. His
critics have fred their best shots. lie
has Sc. the wheels Of justice in motion
against the war frauds. The tendency
will be 10 see how effective the prose.
cutions are before reaching conclusions
about the scandal.