The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-22
DAUGHERTY CASE
 POSTPONED UNTIL
 AZ TER ELECTIONS
Fear of Hurting G. 0. P. Pros poets in Coming Elections ProbabaIy Inspired the
 PoStponement
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Burenu. The Age Herald,
 E0n nautdaou Rut1din0

DUU OhFHubOH DutiutHks
 Washington, September 21.-(Spe- cial)-The postponement by the ju- dietary committee of the House of Representatives of the hearing of the charges of Representative Kele Ter of Minnesota, against Harry M. Daugherty, Attorney General of the United States, until the December session of Congress, was inspired by political consideration.
 The Attorney General at the pres ent time is in Chicago The com mittee declared that 1t would be un- fair to proceed against the Attorney General during his absence. That statement has it's appeal to the fair minded individual. But 1t Is not be- lieyed that Daugherty is afraid that tho proceedings would more dis credit him than he is now alleged to be discredited, and that but for the approaching elections, he would have urged the committee to pro- ceed, it is the prevailing opinion here.
 When the committee agreed to hear Keller it was with the understand ing that the hearing would be un- dertaken and concluded. When, however, Keller announced that Samuel Untermyer, the we'll known New York attorney, would represent him before the committee, and when 1t became public knowledge that the American Federation of Labor would collaborate with the Minnesota so- lon, politicians decided that post ponement was obviously necessary.
 Graft Evidence Lacking
 There is much criticism that might with Justice be brought to bear againSt the Attorney General it is not denied. He did not proceed against war grafters until Repre- sentative Woodruff of Michigan, of fered a resolution inquiring into the situation. And since he made his initial step in such procedure, the Attorney General has taken no firm or even dramatic action.
 But it Is not believed by any save possibly the representatives who have been most active against the Attorney General, and all of them are republican, that Daugherty can be convicted of criminal negligence. of graft, or any other variety of crookedness. Unless he can be, he cannot be impeached. especially as the Congress will be republican, in at least one of it's branches, for an- other two years
 At the same time, the three mem bers who are openly moving to rid the President of Daugherty, Messrs. Keller of Minnesota, Woodruff of. Michigan, and Johnson of South Da- kota, guided by the shrewdness of Untermyer, and assisted by the nimble witted leaders of organized labor. could raise such dense cloud of smoke that innumerable people would be convinced that somewhere there existed a raging and furious fire.
 Cry of Candidates
 That would be disconcerting to the very many republican members of the House who are seeking re-eiec- tlon not only on their own merits but on their plea that they "stoe1 by the republican administration"
 Obviously. 1t is said here, such re- pwblicans could derive little benefit from having stood by an administra- tion which tolerated in it's cabinet such an individual as Daugherty would have been represented to be
 Therefore, it was concluded wisest to postpone. the investigation until that quiet December when the minds of men incline themselves to peace and harmony. fruit cake and stuffed turkey, that inactive December which follows the most turbulent and distressful of all months-to politicians-Novem
 Daughcrty the Agent
 There are innumerable charges un- der the head of "generalities" to be brought by Keller. Samuel Comp CTS, president of the American Fed eration of Labor, admits freely that his interest in the proceedings IS based on the injunction secured by Daugherty in Chicago against strik- CTS.
 Daugherty moved at the instance of the President and it Is pointed out that the agent cannot be inn peached for obedience to instruc- tions. And if there be blame in the entire Daugherty scandal" 1t IS placed by some powerful members Of Congress on the President For the President knew the manner of man he was about to appoint.