The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-23
SUICIDE SCENE
is REHEARSED
Wheeler Asks Many CUES.
tions Regarding APP
pearance OF Body
BLACKMAIL CHARGE
CALLED 'FRAME-UP'
Attorney General Definitely
Linked With X Street Con-
ferences In Testimony

WASHINGTON, March 22.--fsexis
Stinson today gave the Daugherty in
vestigating committee another long
chapter of her amazing story, including
a description of deal" at the 1920
republican convention to nominate
Harding, and details of more whisky
deals in which she said Attorney Cen
eral Daugherty was an influential
factor.
She also struck back at Mr.. Daugh-
erty for his charges that she had at
tempted to blackmail him as a price
for her silence and had registered at .
Cleveland hotel with a man named A.
L. Fink. Both charges constituted -
beautiful frame-up," Miss Stinson de-
clared in a sobbing statement Of vehe-
ment denials and lengthy explanations.
Strong Arm" Methods
The convention deal" she said, was
related often to her by the late Jess
Smith, her divorced husband and con-
slant companion of Mr.. Daugherty.
She said she was told of a promise Of
cabinet position to Jake Hamon,
former Oklahoma millionaire oil opera
tor, and of strong arm" methods By
Daugherty in the famous early morn
ing conference of republican leaders at
Chicago when they got behind Mr.. Hard
ing for the nomination.
No specific whisky deals were cited
by Miss Stinson, but she said Smith
had told her Of them and had said that
Daugherty's influence" was vital to
their success.
Rehearses Death Scene
Questions as to how Jess Smith aetu-
ally met his death, year ago in the At
torney Generals apartment--heretofoss
accepted and certified officially as a
suicide-also were dramatic feature Of
the three hours Miss Stinsoh VS.
the stand. Senator Wheeler, dennocral,
Montana in charge Of the inquiry, Asket
many questions regarding the appear
ance Of the dead mans body, the ab
senee Of powder burns, which Miss.
Stinson testified to, and the "fearr
which she said Smith had been laboring
under.
A number of letters written by Smith
to Miss Stinson were produced and read.
There were q few indefinite references
to deals" but none were identified
definitely. Only a small part Of the let
tiers were reached today, and the witnesn
will continue that phase of her testi-
mony next Monday and also face the
ordeal of cross-examination.
X Street Again
The name of Howard Warrington was
again brought into the picture by Mia
Stinson, who related conferences ct ssthA
little green house on X street." where,
she said, Smith told her that Manning
ton, Daugherty and others held inaner-
tant conferences. She said Smith nalned
Senator Watson, republican, indiana,
and Postmaster General New among the
frequenters of the famous place. Man
nington has been charged By other wit
nesses with. receiving thousands Of dot
lars in the Dempsey Carpenter flint
film case and New York whisky deals.
Committee members said today they had
assurances he would come from EArsN ~.
testify.
Smith Was Afraid
Often today, especially when r6nis-
ing to Daugherty's charges, Miss Elin-
son broke down entirely. Tears stream
ed down her face as she sobbed hb1
replies to the blackmail ana 0kh6i
charges and recited details Of the lhsi
days and, death Of Jess Saith, Eha
declared Smith "enmeshedh by UAuaA.
erty and feared exposure.
Daugherty was charged By Senator
Wheeler during the examination wjth
having done IAN indecent and unraa5 Nm
thing in attacking Miss Stinson.
IF he had the slightest bit Of shane
in him or she slightest bit of manhoosl.s
said Senator Wheeler, ''he would ~
tract the statement he has made.
The senator added that ''the Ieasta
President Coolidge could do would b
to suspend Daugherty from office dtlrs
ing the investigation and charged tha9
the great power Of the department N
justice was being used to thwart the
committee. Former Senator Chamber
lain of the Daugherty counsel replied
that the attorney generals lawyers had
had no opportunity to cross-exauaino
Miss Stinson or other important wit
Continued On Page Three. Column -Four