Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-15

brought into the testimony when the
witness was asked to tell about in
vestigations he had conducted in
New York. He said he had been in
'structed to find out about certain
permits for certain purposes" issued
by Mr.. Mellon.
"Jess wanted to catch Secretary
Mellon" he went on, and we caught
him. The president wanted the in
formation in regard to him-to catch
him. and We caught him.
With Smith as his reputed in
formant. Means today testified that
the fight pictures were first exhibited
here in the home of Edward Is. Nc
Lean, the publisher, who figured so
prominently in the oil inquiry. Among
those Means said he was told were
present, besides Mclean, were Presi-
dent Harding, Attorney General
Daugherty, Secretary Hughes and
the owners of the films.
The witness said that for the de-
partment of justice he had investi-
gated a number of senators. Among
them were Lafollette of Wisconsin,
leader of the Republican insurgents;
Caraway. Democrat. Arkansas, and
Bruce, Democrat, Maryland. Senator
Wheeler added that he had heard
that department agents were busy in
Montana investigating him and
Chairman Brookhart said he had
heard that he too was under inquiry
in Iowa.
Means said the Office of Senator
Lafollete was went through" by
agents and him after Lafollette had
introduced his resolution for the oil
investigation. The object, Means
said. was to find anything he had
where he could be stopped in what
he was doing" A report of results
was made to Jess Smith. Means said.
The Caraway investigation, Means
stated, was made after the senator
had attacked President Harding and
the attorney general. That of Sena-
tor Bruce was said TO have been
made after his election and was or
dered by Jess Smith or some Of
them. The reason for the Bruce
inquiry were not developed. The vast
range of Means testimony, together
with its dramatic and explosive de-
livery for three hours held the COM
mittee and an overlooking crowd of
spectators on edge. With keen Quips
and parties, his police patois and
inside revelations of secret service
work, Mems gave spice to the story,
he appeared hugely to enjoy telling.
Among other things, he gave the
committee 4 free lesson in wire tap
ping, telling how to hook up wires
and bells to detect tampering and de-
tails of how criminals and their pur-
suers operate. He said he wanted
no immunity: that he nad determined
to tell his story if he was called des-
pite threats and pleas, some of which
he believed came from department of
Justice sources. Reproduced, under
the committees subpoena. two enor-
nous suitcaSeS of the old -afshioned
telescope type, containing his dia-
ries-ten in all-copies of department
Of justice reports and other papers.
These he referred to as his testi-
mony rogressed. He said he had
W orked for the German government
before the United States entered the
war: and had been employd at times
also by the British and Mexican gov
ernments.
All through the testimony there
We're references to the outstanding
story of the 100000 ne said he re-
ceived for and turned 70 Jess Smith.
Leading up to the story. Senator
Wheeler asked about any money
collections"
81 had money delivered to me"
Means replied. II accepted it in that
sense. / don't know Just now-in
other words. l didn't go out and hold
them up myself"