Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-09
Asks RetractiOn
(Continued from Paue One)

Investigate conditions there but his
report showed no findings of evidence
of value in the prosecution Of the
case and so he was not used"
Conditions in Aroostook County
The next seven questions dealt
with the conditions in Aroostook
county and as the attorney general
pointed out they were based upon Il
presumption that he was familiar
with the fact that the prohibitory
law was being fiagrantly violated in
that county. and that he had withheld
this information from the governor.
To them he made Il general denial.
But" said the attorney general.
II did discuss with Gov. Baxter con
ditions in Aroostook county, as |
did the conditions relative to the
enforcement of the law by certain
other sheriffs of the State.
II did not know that liquor was
brought into Aroostook county in
large quantities or that it could be
purchased in Houlton and certain
places by the drink. ! DO NOT
KNOW 1T NOW except as / heard
the evidence at the trial of Grant
and levin in Bangor and have
read stories in the newspapers"
The eighth question asked was as
to whether the attorney general had
| ever told Gov. Baxter that II truck
load of liquor and ale was taken to
the Pressure Isle fairgrounds when
certain fraternal organizations held
a convention there.
II don't know that that ever hap
pencd," said Attorney General Shaw.
Until I read that question. ! never
heard such thing suggested
Commenting on the question as to
why he did not ask to be excused
from testifying In the behalf of w.
s. Levin at the trial in Bangor, the
attorney general said: Il have al
| ready explained my position. j
shall never regret what | did. / OK
pected criticism when l walked to
the stand. but l have nothing to be
ashamed Of"
The last question OF the IL asked
II the attorney general did not feel
that he lowed it to the governor.
the Republican party and the people
OF Maine to resign his office at this
time" To this Attorney General
Shaw said: IL have done my duty as
! I understood It to the best of my
ability since becoming attorney gen
eral. Governor Baxter has never in
timated differently to me. l know OF
no reason why l should resign
Attorney General Shaw said that
IL was n new thought, this idea that
the attorney general of the state
should go around doing the work OF
police officers and detectives. 1t had
never been considered, the duty OF
the attorney general to investigate
personally the conditions OF liquor
selling In cities. towns or counties
At the request of Gov. Baxter he
did make a personal investigation or
tho situation in Hancock county. He
had made no such investS2'ion IN
any other county in Maine.
IL was not until the coming OF
National prohibition. the Nnlstead
Act. the Attorney General. said that
tho Attorney Generals department
had ever given any consideration to
liauor prosecution and he dld not
feel that he was lax in his duty by
not going and making such inNesu-
cations.
No Authority Over County Attorney
The Attorney General. he pointed
out. has no authority over County
Attorneys. He may make sugges-
tons. but that is as far as ne can
go unless the County Attorney re-
quests his assistance. There is this
exception to that, he added. that the
law require that the Attorney Gem
eraI shall take part in the prosecu-
ton OF Capital cases. murders aod
arson.
Asked as to how much time he
had shent in Aroostook county the
past year, the Attorney General SAID
that he had been there n part OF
each week since he took Office,
day. two DAYS or three days some
times, according as the duties of his
office would permit. In that time ne
had been around the streets or
Eoulton the same as any business
man would so.
lie had heard nothing OF this wide
open condition.
"How many times in the past year
have you walked by Calvins place.
he was asked.
81 doubt IL 1 have walked by there
twice in that time," said the At
torney General. 'T would ride past
II every time l went to Houlton ana
came away as II would be on the
road from my Office to the railroad
station. but there was nothing about
Calvin's place to indicate 1t was
rum shop" His offices We're on the
second floor OF a building. the ground
floor of which Is occupied by
respectable merchant.
allow often would you so through
Randall street where Roy Adams
and Parker's places were located
ooh, I don't know. I wouldn't go