Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-12-18
POWELL ADMITS
SIGNING CHECKS
Sent TO SlEhP
Say Records OF Judge Har-
rison Stand For Them
selves.
REFUSES COMMENT
VIII Not Talk On Sale of Patronage
But Hints Of Developments In The
Near Would Not Show
Letters.

Gretna, Va, Dec. 1S.-Gen r. Pow
ell, named by Thomas WI Harrison.
unseated Democratic Congressman
from the Seventh district of Virginia
as the signer of checks Mr.. Harrison
charged Representative c. Bascom
Slemp received for patronage has con-
firmed that the checks bear his sigma
ture. -
THE records speak for themselves,
There are the letters" was Mr.. Pow
ellis comment when show9 the state
ment of Mr.. Slemp that iffnioney had
been collected for the party organi-
zation with the promise of cffice it
was done. without his knowledge or
approval.
Mr.. PowelPs statements were made
in his first talk on patronage ques-
tion since Mr.. Harrison made his
charges last Friday. He refused to
show any of the checks or letters in
volved in the case, nor would be re
count his alleged patronagesrelations
with Mr.. Slemp.
In reluctant comments on various
phases Of the case he claimed as "my
property" checks and letters read in
the House of Representatives by Mr..
Harrison. A moment later he declared
that he had not given this material to
Mr.. Harrison or sold it TO him.
Other politicians express a belief
that the checks and letters reached Mr.
Harrison as a result Of Mr.. Powell's
failure to land the local postoffice an
pointmnet for supporter. This fail
ure in turn resulted from breaking
off relations with Powell byHhe Repub-
lcan county organizations the pelisi-
clans say. Mr.. Powell met reporter
with hte statement that he would be
glad to discuss the matter when the
time comes; he could not say any
thing now.
~ "There is time to do these things"
he continued after a moment. I'll
be in Washington again in the next
three or four days, There are things
about which one may want to say lit
tie for awhile"
Mr.. Powell was asked if he had any
thing to do with the Harrison charges.
"Well. I wasn't on the floor OF the
House." he returned with laugh.
"I'm not a member or an ex-memper
so | don't have the privilege OF the
floor"
Mr.. Powell was shown report in
Lynchburg paper quoting a close
friend Of Representative Slemp as say
inc that Mr.. Siemp repalced his for
mer secretary as soon as the sale OF
patronage was talked about. .
"There are the letters;you can't get
away from the letters" was the re-
sponse. Asked if the cheeks still are
in Washington, Mr.. Powell said: NO
thev are not in Washington. They
are nv property and they had to come
back to me. They had my name on
them. I didn't give them to Mr. har,
rison or sell them to him." he ADDED
quickly.
the checks: az don't owe HIM any
money personally, you know. !,
Denial was made by Mr.. Powell OF
any bad feeling between himself and
Mr.. Slemp. "Slcmp and l have WORK
ed topether for many years" he said.
1t was suggested that ifthe had been
collecting money for appointment 70
Office he would share responsibility
with the man who received the money
later.
"Well thare's q difference between
a Government Official and a private
citizen" returned Mr.. Powell smiling.
". Then he added that ne did no'
hoy. tha nowfr 10 get a man Job.