Phoenix tribune., 1922-12-09
Charge MADE THAT FIVE PROMINENT
NEGROES ARE TO RECEIVE The Sim OF
S65O,OOOIF LIBERIAN LOAN BILL PASSES
preston News Service)

preston News Servlce0
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec S-A charge that five
prominent Negroes had contract to obtain $65OOOO if
e Loeran loan bill should pass made in the senate
last thursday afternoon by Senator Pat Harrison demo-
clat from Mississippi, during consideration of the bill
Names the Men to Get the Rakeoff
senator Harrison named the men; three of them live
IN Washlngon-Dr Emmett j. Scott secretary of How
ard University; James A Cobb and William L. Houston
attorneys The other two named by Senator Harrison are
William H. Lewis OF Boston, former assistant attorney
general of the United States and Rev Ernest Lyons Of
Baltimore, former minister to Liberia
Senator Harrison then offered an amendment TO the
De1lan loan bill prohibiting the payment of any fee or
commission to any attorney agent of Liberia of the
loan Inc amendment was unanimously adopted The
Mississippi senator said that it was generally under
stood that the five mentioned by him had contract
under which they would be paid if the bill passed.
Charge Is Vigorously Denied
The charge was vigorously denied by Senator Curtis
OF Kansas in charge of the BILL who said that the rmor
reported by Senator Harrison like Others had originated
IN the senator's own fertile brain"
Senator Harrison said that he understood that these
men had been conspicuous in buttonholng senator be-
half OF the bill Senator Curtis accepted the Harrison
amendment Both Senator Smoot and Senator Curtis said
they had not been approached by the named.
Scott, Cobb and Houston Make Statements
When the report of Senator Harrisons charges reach
ed the men Washington named by the from Mis-
sissippi they issued the following statements
DR.. Scott, secretary of Howard University said:
There isn't scnla Of truth in any such statement as
made by Senator Harrison The senator could have been
informed directly if he had made any effort to ascertain
the truhfulness of such statement Senator Harrison
Deen information furnished
him by men anxious to feed grudges than furnish
the truth.
The charges aughable and absolutely false " de-
clared James A. Cobb Continuing he said With respect
to the statements made by Senator Pat Harrison on the
floor OF the senate in which he reported to have said
that |, along with four other gentlemen to receive
$65OOOO attorneys fees commission of the Lii
berian loan OF $5OOOO0O beg to say there not ota
of truth in the statement.
81 have never made any claim whatsoever against the
Lberan loan Any aid assistance that gave Liberia
with respect to the loan purely of arustc nature
1t is true that while the Lberan Commission was here
did act legal adviser for them respect certain minor
matters namely looking and drawing up lease for
the premises occupied by the commission and arranging
for the purchase of automobile etc. well assist
them general in and customs with which they
unfamiliar in this country. There proper ad-
ustment for all Of these before the commission
turned to Liberia.
Undoubtedly the senator received his misinforma-
tion from certain politicians who unable lift their
bellies above the DUST and whose venalty dictates the
seeking of graft every endeavor they may make on be-
half of person cause, and this characteristic of
theirs induces them to think that any who may assist
aid cause is actuated by similar motive
William H. Houston, prominent attorney and
ber of the Board of Education characterized Senator Har
rison remarks "a fabrication out Of the whole coth
II have had absolutely no connection with the. Lii
beran loan bill because it provides aid for the Negro
public, but have taken active interest in it. would
like Senator Harrison to produce any proof in substantial
ton of his reported charges which have not read