Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-07
DAUGHERTY DEF|ES
PROBE COMMITTEE;
RECALLS COUNSEL
Ffonic Letter Says Hearing
Isn't Impartial and
Refuses His Aid

has had his official conduct under
investigation for nearly four monts,
that he would neither testify as
witness nor be represented further
by counsel in its proceedings.
The committee had asked the for
mer attorney general to take the
witness stand on Friday, as the last
witness before a preliminary report
is submitted to the senate. No for.
NAL subpoena had been issued foe
him, however, and committee men,
bers have indicated that they would
take no steps to compel his appear
ance.
Paul Rowland, attorney for Mr..
Daugherty, read the committee a
statement by his client declaring
certain members Of the committee"
had made a desperate attempt to
''blacken" his reputation, and deny
ing that he had "profited in any
illegal. corrupt. or unethical way"
from his tenure of office.
Mr.. Daugherty's statement also de-
clared the federal court in Ohio, in
the litigation between the committee
and M. S. Daugherty, had held the
committee to be enaged in "an illegal
proceeding" He therefore gave notice
that his lawyer would Withdraw"
Chairman Brookhart declared the
statement was a reflection on the
committee, and said that he intended
to reply before letting matters go
further.
1--WE have proved the existence
of criminal conspiracy in Mr.
Daugherty's household" Senator
Brookhart said. 1--WE have proved
that the tax returns of Mr.. Daugh-
erty when he took office showed
he had no money, but that before
he left office he had $4,000 on de-
post in his brothers bank"
The chairman added that under
the circumstances he would ask the
committee to proceed with its plan
of making a partial report, and
then adjourn ''for some time" 1t is
a part of the plan to resume ses-
sions, however, at some date late IN
the summer.
Chairman Brookhart also referred
to the indictment of Senator Wheel
er, the committee prosecutor, as
'frame-up," and said Daugherty had
sought to attack others instead OF
defending himself.
Senator Moses, Republican, New
Hampshire, said he wanted to eX-
press "some dissent" from the
chairman, and Mr.. Rowland, with
George E. Chamberlain, his asso-
ciate, then left the committee room.
Daugherty's Statement
Former Attorney General Daugh-
erty's statement to the senate
Daugherty committee follows:
II beg to acknowledge through
my counsel, your verbal suggestion
of the 31st ult., that I appear before
your committee on Friday, June 9Th.
This is the first intimation | have
ft0o that i
was to be accorded the privilege OF
a hearing, and UP, to this time, of
course, have had no opportunity or
calling witnesses on my behalf or
on behalf of the department of JUS
tice. Before definitely replying to
YOUR suggestion that [ appear before
YOUR committee, I wish to call your
attention to certain matters which
seem to me to be pertinent at TINS
time.
81. The great volume Of business
of the department of justice, SO OIL
versified that it vitality touches ev-
cry branch OF the government, Is OF
necessity handled in detail by the
various assistant attorneys general
and special assistants to the attor-
ney general. but under the general
direction and supervision of the at
,torney general himself. In order to
arrive at a correct Judgment regard
ing any particular case, 1t is apso-
lutely necessary to call said as
asistants who have had that case In
charge, and who, having access 10
the files of the department, can
fully and accurately advise the com
mittee in every detail in connection
Herewith. 1t would be absolutely
necessary for me or any attorney
IN tho assistants
and the files before I could, with
anv degree of satisfaction, attempt
to make a statement before your
committee. That being true, such as
sistants and others having the &C
tive charge of cases and fully al
vised with reference to all details
n and executive work under inquiry
Aand who have full access to and the
use of records ana files pertaining
thereto, and are familiar with every
phase of such cases, should nave
been called before your committee
nrior to my appearance. The adop-
ZION Of such a course would. in alN
probability eliminate the necessity OF
INV appearance in connection with
tho investigation of my official du-
lies. nv reason of the fact that fua
and accurate information would De
in the possession of he committee
as a. result Of calling the assistants
in active charge of litigation. the
ealing of these witnesses at the
commencement of the inquiry woulo
have enabled the committee 10 prlu :
this inquiry to an end at an eatlleN
date, at least insofar as 1t concern
ed NV official conduct as attorney
general.
-. Since the commencement of
that iS f0 saw on Ine
10Th day Of March last, I have hoped
to be asked to appear before your
committee, and have been somewhat
surnrised that I was not asked TO
anpear at an earlier period in your
proceedings, as was under the I'M
nression that tho investigation
would be confined to my official &C
lions as attorney general OF the
limited states and matters directly
relating thereto. The fact that your
committee has not, up to the pres
ent time. called a single witness
suggested by me. and has sought
for evidence from unexpected
sources and generally from persons
so situated that under ordinary cir
cumstances very little credence
would be given their testimony. has
FROM, the beginning caused me 10
feel that there was feeling of an
taconism entertained toward me by
certain mcmbers of your COMMITTEES,
and that these members of your
committee, instead of prosecuting a
fair and impartial inquiry into my
official conduct as attorney general
OF the United States. have made a
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