The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-04
FORMAL REPLY |S MADE TO CHARGES OF CONGRESSMAN Attorney General Defends Himself by Turning Upon
 Accusers-Says Radi-
 calls Oppose Him
By Associated Press


 Washington, December 3.-Formal to the charges filed against him with the House Judiciary committee by Representative Keller, republican, of Minnesota, was made public tonight at the department of justice. It will be presented to the committee when it meets tomorrow to consider the Keller resolution demanding MT. Daugherty's impeachment.
 Answering each Of the 14 specifi- cations submitted by the Minnesota member, MT. Daugherty expressed his conviction that this extraordinary proceeding is inspired more by de- sire to protect those charged and those who will be charged with vio- lation of the law than to aid the de- partment of justice in prosecution of grafters. profiteers and those who have defrauded their governmen during the emergency Of war;"
 The department of justice stands ready. MT. Daugherty said, to meet the demand of Mir. Keller for access to documents bearing upon specified cases whenever 1t Is apparent that neither the government interest nor that of individuals who have Imposed condolences in the government would be violated.
 Radicals Involved
 "In this behalf" statement sum marking MT Daughterty's reply continued, the Attorney General said that a mere casual perusal of this demand not only indicates the me tive, but reflects the character of this entire proceeding; that 1t shows back of this so-called bill of im- peachment stand arrayed certain radical leaders seeking to serve mo- tice on the Attorney General that if he dares enforce the laws of the United States against such organiza- tions he does so under the pain and penalty of being haled before the Senate, setting as a high court of impeachment under the constitution; that it shows that back of this so- called bill of impeachment directing maintaining and encouraging its prosecution stands arrayed the profi- teers, the grafters. the so-called war defrauders and all of those whC seized upon the opportunity arising from the emergencies of war to take ad vantage of their government; that they, by unconscionable and un- scrupulous means may know what those charged with bringing them t0 the bars of justice have secured as the result of the most painstaking faithful and earnest efforts which it has been possible Tor the Attorney General of the United States and those associated with him to give to the solution Of these most confusing and completing problems"
 Discredit Department
 To comply with the demand that evidence in the hands of the gov ernment be made public the Attor- ney General declared would be "highlv injurious to the interests of the people" in the case of certain Important matters now in prepara- ton for presentation to the proper tribunals.
 In view of the evident attempt to discredit in advance the activities of the department" the statement said, .the Attorney General cannot escape the conclusion that the sole object and purpose Of this proceeding Is not to remove him from office but Is in the nature avowedly of an attempt to compel the disclosure in advance of the evidence upon which the govern ment relies in the investigation and prosecution of the cases of the great est importance tofhe government.'
 Taking up th< Keller charges In order, MT. Daughterty's reply stressed the activities of the department in antitrust cases, of which he said 3- had been filed in the past 20 months. He denied that the department was