Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-22
SAVANNAH EXPOSE
COST HIM POSITION,
GEORGIAN TEST|F|ES
H, S, Scaife, Former Daugh-
erty Agent, Says Missing
Liquor "Went to Speaker
GiIIette's Office"

WASHINGTON, April 1S.-Minute
details Of the Savannah liquor con
spiracy case, in which Is persons
have been sentenced to the peniten-
tiary, were recited before the DauGh-
erty investigation committee TO-DAY
by Clark Grier, who described him
self as d prominent Georgia Repub-
lican and former informant" of the
department of justice.
The witness declared there had
been long delay in prosecuting the
cases after he laid all the facts be-
fore the department. and that his
report was followed by his dis
charge" by w. J. Burns at the in
stance of John i. Philips, the Re-
publican state chairman. who, he
charged, was involved in the liquor
cases. An indictment against Philips
in a lumber fraud case is pending
in the District Of Columbia.
H. L. Scaife, also former depart
ment of justice investigator, cor
roborated Grier's testimony as to his
s,paratio~ from the department after
the Savannah reportswas submitted.
Gillette Under Fire
Seattle also charged that liquor
seized some years ago III Washing
storage, resulting in d grand jury
inquiry. went to the "office of Speak
Ell Gillett."
Committee members then discussed
whether they should not let this
statement stand in the record and
the witness named Castor 3. Means
as one of his informanIs, and de-
clared six department of justice wit
nesseS could confirm his statement.
He denied any personal knowledge of
the transaction.
The liquor referred to, Scaife said,
was seized at the Union station here
in 1918. 1919 or 1920. and the entire
consignment, valued at $4,000, dis
appeared. A grand jury Investigated
1t, he said, but found no ground for
indictments.
According to reports, some Of this
liquor went to the office of Speaker
Gillett," Scaife said.
do you know that?" demanded
Senator Wheeler. the committee
prosecutor.
Seattle said he did not. and Senator
Wheeler instructed him to "confine
yourself to what you know"
1--WE don't want this evidence if 1t
Is 100 per cent gossip" Senator
Wheeler said
i-
said Scaife.
statement from Gillett on the sub
at the time.
uuiry to the impeachment proceed
ings against Attorney General
Daugherty in 1922.
Charges Prosecution Blocked
Seattle said he assisted Represen-
tative Woodruff. Republican, Mich.
gan, in support of the impeachment
charges, and that Means, then de-
partment of justic eagent, was or
dered to shadow u.s." He Identified
paper which Senator Wheeler
showed him, and said that Means
told me he took this paper from
Representative Woodruff's office.
Taking up the Wright-Martin air
craft case, Scaife said the papers
had been alternately sent to the
New York district attorney, called
back by Guy D. Goff, former as.
sistant attorney general and turned
over to special counsel.
I'VE found in Ohio, that Attorney
General Daugherty had 500 shares of
stock in this company in 1920" in
terposed Chairman Brookhart, land
$500 shares in 1921"
Scaife declared the prosecution
for recovery OF lover payment had
been blocked" in the department
of justice during 1921 and 1922
''surreptitiously."
George II. Maxwell, director OF the
National Reclamation association,
was called, to explain statements
made by him in a letter to Senator
Ashurst, Democrat, Arizona, charg-
Ing a. "Fall-Davis scheme to steal
the Colorado river"
The witness was heard at a
hastily assembled meeting of the
committee, which previously had
announced it would stand in recess
until next week. His letter to Sen.
ator Ashurst had said the commit.
tea was ION the trail of the ser.
pent" and that similar opportuni
ty to get at the facts as to who was
, trying to steal the Colorado river
from Arizona ''migh not come again
in thousand years"
Senator Jones. Republican, Wash
ington, objected to taking up the
Colorado river controversy as ir'
relevant, and Chairman Brookhart
agreed unless he connects it with
the department of justice in some
way"
Maxwell then said the letter was
sent under "misapprehension" as
the committee he had in mind was
''the reclamation committee" He ad
mitted that he had no personal in
formation as to the department OF
Justice" He was excused.
Kerns Is Recalled
Cecil II. Kerns, an Ohio drus