Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-05-20
100000 FOR
WAR FRAUD CASES
House Committee Believes Gov
eminent Will Recover Many
Times That Amount.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED
Attorney General Says Best Lawyers
In Country viii Prosecute Claims
Expect to Uncover Many Mis-
takes and Errors.

Washlngton.-Th amount the gov.
eminent will recover from alleged war
fraud cases will be many times the
amount granted 10 defray expenses in
cident 10 their prosecution the House
Appropriations Committee declared in
reporting a bin carrying Sjmoo0 for
use by the Department of Justice rs
special Investigating and prosecuting
fund.
Explaining the need IT money and
men assistance. Attorney General
Daugheriy told the committee. aS re-
vealed by printed hearings made pub
lie that about 30 such cases, ranging
from several thousand dollars to sew
eral million dollars We're pending, and
that the total amount involved az
gregated S192 000mo.
Urging speedy passage 4 the bill, so
that the Department of Justice Vlght
be adequately equipped for success
full disposition Of the case" the com
mittee declared those who had de-
frauded the government during the
war should he prosecuted to the Limit
with all the vigor the government
could command.
The committee reported that the
character of the cases was such that
the expense Of handling them is
greater than that OF any class 90 work
the department has t. deal with ex-
cept. perhaps. antitrust prosecu-
lions" and that some OF the ablest
lawyers in the country had been en-
gagged as counsel by those against
whom the government was contem-
plating civil and criminal action.
The number of cases mentioned by
the Attorney General the report add
ed, will Increase from time To time las
the War Department progresses with
the work of going over the $4,000
cases which are Yet 10 be gone over
by that Department"
Daugherty said in his testimony II
was his intention to engage the best
lawyers obtainable for investigation
and prosecution Of alleged fraud
cases.
II should say that II the work costs
500, O00.' said the Attorney General.
tive ought 10 yet through on S21oWW
or $500. 600 on attorney fees. with their
EXPENSES added 10 that, and 100000
or $4,000 ur account of experts and
accountants. because these three activ-
ties will comprise the principal part
of the work. expect 10 return 10 the
government very much more than this
appropriation
Under the bill. as amended hy the
committee. the Attorney General,
would be authorized 10 employ one
lawyer without limitation as to salary.
hut all other salaries 4 lawyers, eX-
perts ar accountants would be limited
to $4,000 year.
Rechecking Of accounts paueherty
said. will disclose many mistakes. and
he predicted that many of the persons
who lid business with the government
will be coming in v"
Il think you viii agree with me that
the work should be- cleaned up no
added III is due the people 81 the
country that they should know the
real story eft these transactions. The
government. think. will realize very
material pr fl on this Investment We
have gotten to the poln where We are
M against il for money and s.en."
The Attorney General declared he
was cot begging for this money adj
ding:
III Is as mn Ii your responsibility
as mine | ann just giving ~on my
recommended after some experience
in the matter To- year and after
consultation with hose under ue who
are doing tui- work.
Representative Eyrus Democrat
Tennessee. asked Dausheriy II he
could say how many war fraud cases
werr an hand in The department July
/, 1921
II d. MT know" he replied "You
see war fraud asses j. hardly fair
way 10 put IT, There Will be- honest
disputes in regard To the eases which
/ do not consider fraud cases
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