Evening star., 1924-03-18
Daugherty Probe Witness Re-
Iuctant, But Names Alleged
Parties to Deals.
SUBPOENAS ARE ISSUED
FOR MELLON AND WEEKS
Haynes, Blair, Votaw and Urion
Also Summoned-Lotteries.
Are Mentioned.


committees investigation OF Attorney
General Daugherty and the Depart
ment of Justice swung back and
f1ght-picture deal and deals" in
whisky cases. Then it made a brief
detour, into the fields of lotteries, and
what the Department of Justice has
done or has not done to suppress
Will H. Orr. former private secre-
tary to former Gov. Whitman, was
the principal witness. Orr was a re-
luctant, hating witness. who pro-
tested against the committee going
develop that he had once been in
dicted on a conspiracy charge in con-
nection with violations of the pro-
hibition law.
Mentioned In Film Deal.
Orr previously has been identified in
testimony as one of those engaged in
the deal" to arrange showing of the
out extensive prosecution, while vari-
GUS goats were fined small sums by
prearrangement.
Although-Orr testified that he was
to receive one-fifth of the fund in
volved, he failed under cross-exami-
nation to satisfy Senator Wheeler. the
committee prosecutor, what he did to
warrant the payments, although he
did testify that he helped get past the
censors.
Much Of orr's testimony centered
around liquor Withdrawals. Senator
Wheeler tried to develop that one
Howard Warrington, who occupied
a desk in the little green house on
X street" had received large sums
of money in Washington in connec-
tion with liquor cases and had been
obliged to give it back because his
efforts in behalf Of clients were not
successful.
Collections of $1,000.
Orr could think of collections ag-
gregating some $4,000. which he per-
sisted were in the nature of retainsrs.
but he disclaimed any knowledge of Of
bumper and friend" being Obliged
to return money.
Specifically. Orr testified that he him
self received money from five. six or
connection with liquor Withdrawals.
and that among them were the Gem
trail Drug Company, the Emmerland
Drug Company and the Alps Drug
Company. In some cases the pan was
to have the liquor released ostensibly
for export.
Mellon II Called.
Before adjourning until 10 o'clock
tomorrow the committee heard Naco
Steward. an attorney of Dallas. Tex,
who told a story of how, he alleged,
the Department of Justice knew all
about certain lotteries, and was fail
ing to prosecute and suppress them.
For later appearance the commit
tee subpoenaed Secretaries Mellon
and Weeks, to inquire into the ma
chinery of communicating conf1den-
tial Information between the two
also were subpoenaed in today's list.
The two secretaries were to De
questioned about the government
contract with the Standard Aircraft
Corporation, in connection with
testified he accepted 100000 for the
late Jess w. Smith to stop further
legal action.
Prohibition Commissioner Haynes
and Internal Revenue Commissioner
Blair also were summoned, presum-.
assertion that he got" Secretary
Mellon in an Investigation of the
issue Of permits for Withdrawals of
Alfred R. Urion. a lawyer. named
subpoenaed, as was H. H. Votaw. su-
perintendent Of federal prisons, and
a relative by marriage of the late
President Harding.
Orr Ffrst Witness.
G. o. Holdridge, a former Department
Of Justice agent, yesterdays witness.
had classified everybody connected
with the film IDEAL" as a crook. He
denied that he (Orr) represented the
late Jess w. Smith in the deal and
denied that Smith had any interest
in the picture.
Orr testified he owned 20 per cent
Of the picture contract in return for
his services"
Tex Rickard asked for his help in
getting the films shown. as Rickard
knew Of orr's previous attempts to
get films past the New York state
censors and also Of his political con-
nectiona.
His part was to help overcome diff
f1culties Of censorship and also in
publicity.
Paid for Film Deal.
Orr said he had been paid Gin the
neighborhood Of $4,000 in the Aim
DEAL" but denied having talked with
Jess Smith, "about the films or about
the money"
Did you talk over the possibility
that the pictures would be confis-
cated?" asked Senator Jones.
Something was said to the effect
that confiscation wouldn't be possi-
BILE"
you and Muma and Ike Martin
were togethre?" Chairman Brook
mo: that's one of the things you
listened to that isn't true" Orr re-
piled. Martin was q real person,
too." 49,.
Holdridge had testified that Mar.
tin" was dummy. really Muma him.
self.
Raised Money for Harding.
Senator Wheeler pressed Orr vigor-
ousiy for details Of exactly" what he
did, and he told Of seeing the New
York -censors and discussing .up-
lifters" who opposed certain films.
"You raised some money, $35. 900 or
$4,000. for the front porch campaign
at Marion? asked Senator Wheeler.
Il raised some"
Orr suggested that Senator Wheeler
should go to William Boyce Thompson
of the republican national committee
to find out his campaign fund raising
efforts.
"You. raiSed some money yourself
and turned 1t over to Daugherty?"
mot one cent"
Did you ever meet Daugherty at
Continued on Page 8, Column 81