Evening star., 1924-03-28
Follows Senators Advice.


In deciding in favor of another
break in his cabinet, President Cool
idge followed the almost unanimous
advice of republicans in the Senate
some of whom, including Senator
Borah of Idaho. have been urging for
weeks that Mr.. Daugherty had lost
the confidence of the country.
The factor which had greatest
weight in bringing the question OF
Mr.. Daugherty'S status to an acute
issue was conviction on the part OF
the President that under present con-
ditions public business is not receiv-
ing the attention merited by it in the
Department Of Justice.
Sees Oniciais Tied Up.
Since the Senate investigation of the
department began, on March l., Mr.
Coolidge has seen plain indications
that some department officials were
giving large part of their attention
to the defense of Mr.. Daugherty, TO
the apparent detriment of their reg
ular pursuits.
There is no doubt also. that the re-
peated charges made before the Sem
ate committee, leading directly TO the
door of the Attorney Generals office,
although not involving him directly,
have had their influence in finally de-
tcrmining his fate.
MIR. Daugherty had insisted that he
be permitted to remain in office until
he had been given opportunity te
answer fully all the charges made
before the investigating committee
AS the testimony has developed
however. it has become apparent that
If he were to vindicate his depart
ment it would become necessary for
him to disprove also the charges
against Jess Smith and others closely
associated with him.
Oil Stock Transactions.
Resides the Daugherty committee
disclosures. testimony has been given
before the oil committee that the
Attorney General dealt in Sinclair oil
stock after he entered the cabinet;
that he and others in the Justice De-
partnent were seeking to shield Ed
ward B. Mclean from appearance on
the witness stand in the oil inquiry.
and that Mclean himself was a secret
agent of the department.
Retention of Mr.. Daugherty in the
cabinet was one of the strongest links
b. which President Coolidge, when
he assumed office tied up the polit-
with those of the uncompleted ad-
ministration of his predecessor. Long
personal friend of Mr.. Harding, the
retiring Attorney General was the
preconvention Harding campaign
manager in 1920, and he ent cred the
cabinet acclaimed as the Warwick
of the new regime in Washington.
,;.riir Thiroushout President Harding,s
mained unbroken. When criticism of
the Attorney General began. and
when his usefulness had been greatly
impaired year ago by illness, Mr.
Harding assured him that he would
find only support and confidence at
the White House.
First High Office Held.
The post of Attorney General was
the first high public place ever held
by Mr.. Daugherty and his administra-
tlon or the Department of Justice was
perhaps more continually under fire
during his tenure of office than any
other federal agency under this re-
publican regime. 1t was, at the same
time, strongly CONNIE ended for posi-
tive positions adopted on many oc-
casionS.
Mr.. Daugherty was frequently as
sailed in Congress. one Of the attacks
eliminating i'll impeachment proceed
ingS, but he was exonerated by the
House by one-sided vote. He was
aSsailed for the alleeed part he played
IN obtaining the release from Atlanta
briSon of Charles W. Morse. banker
during the Taft administration. and
was constantly under attack by or
%antzed labor. particularly after he
used the injunction in trying to break
up the rail strike in 1922.
Impenched by Keller.
The impeachment proceedings were
republican. Minnesota. who rose from
his seat in the House, September H.