New-York tribune., 1922-05-10

grand jury. 1t is regrcttnble that
public attention should have been so
strongly focused on these cnses upon
the eve Of their prosecution. Those
who may be indicted will Justify pro
claim that they arc the innocent vic
tins of stimulated activity for politi-
cal effect. Such. however, will not be
the case, and the Department of JUS
tice will not be swervcd from its care
fully laid plans by any such consider
alton.
1.-TWO cases Of the first magnitude
arc ready for prompt! submi ssion. One
of these is nationwide in scope and
the investigation has covered wide
range. If this case had been presented
without such preliminary lnvcstga-
tion, the principals might possibly have
been indicted and their Lin bility to the
government in large amounts estab-
lishcd. However, this investigation.
conducted in the most confidential way,
has developed that a great many others
who have been lurking in the shadows
are also involved in the unlawful trans
action. The result is that not only
will the principals and several others,
in all probability, be indicted here but
other indictments against the prln-
cipals and different groups Of indi-
viduals may be expected to follow in
other parts OF the country.
Third Case in Preparation
"When these two cases have been
has been under investigation for many
months and which has received consid-
cradle publicity. will be ready for pre-
scntation. Others now in course Of
prepa ration will follow, and it ia cX
pccted that the work Of preparing and
presenting these cases will continue
through out the entire summer,
"The aggregate possible recovcries
in these cases if the government
should be completely successful in
each probably would equal $loo,OO0,-
600. The War Department, with the
assistance Of thia department, already
has recovered millions Of dollars from
those who were overpaid or who know
ingly ovcrchargcd their government.
These claims come to this department
mainly in the form or statements and
audits from other departments.
Gases Of outstanding importance are
being studied and prepared for suit in
the Department. and to the extent that
the funds placed at my disposal viii
permit will be prosecuted by skilled
special counsel. The remainder have
been referred to the United States at
torneys IN the districts in which the
debtors are located for appropriate ac
tion. Included among these arc many
cases involving large sums of money
and complicated states Of fact
Federal Courts Swamped
AS is well known. the United States
attorneys and the Federal courts are
literally swamped with the increased
business which has developed in recent
years and withstnnding their abil-
itv and devotion to the governments
interest they have neither the time
nor the facilities adequately to handle
these important and difficult cases. 1t
was because Of this congestion that
recommended to be introduced in Com
gress the bill providing for twenty
three additional Federal judges, and
which it is hoped will soon become
law"
In conclusion Mr.. Daugherty said:
The record of the Department Of
Justice in connection with these war
contract cases calls for no apology and
none Is intended. The work has been
pressed to the fulst extent that the
funds at my disposal would permit
The work can be greatly accelerated
by the granting of the request for a
special appropriation for $500. 900
which you recently submitted to Con
gress and by the prompt passage Of the
bill for an additional grand jury in
the District of Colum hia "