New Britain herald., 1924-05-07
DAUGHERTY HEARING. HEARS Of N. HAVEN
Lawyer Again Criticizg--Bur
 Denies Taking MeanS'Diaries

Washington, May 7.-Conrad w. l Crooker, Boston attorney for minority stockholders of the Boston and Maine made his third appearance today be- fore the senate Daugherty committee to criticize former Attorney General Daugherty's modification of the con- sent decree in the New Haven merger case. He asserted that Federal Judge Mayer had been grossly imposed upon by MT. Daugherty" in allowing the New Haven decree to be at first modified and later vacated. Daugherty turned the New Haven loose on the Boston and Maine," by his action, Crooker said, since the con- sent decree forbade the first named railroad from participating in the control of the Boston & Maine.
 w. J. Burns, chief of the bureau of investigation, came into the hearing room during Crooker's testimony and Senator Wheeler, the committee pro- secutor, said he intended to examine the detective chief later in the day.
 Crooker asserted that along with the modification of the New Haven decree Daugherty also dismissed crim- inal indictments against Vim. Rocke- feller and other directors of the road which were pending several years af- ter the legal attack on the merger.
 Paul Rowland, attorney for Mir. Daugherty. got the witness to agree that the indictments had been kept pending for seven years before Daugherty took office without action except for one trial on some of them. which resulted fin a jury disagreement.
 Burns On stand
 w. J. Burns. chief of the depart ment of justice investigation bureau, told the senate that although he had assigned an agent to shadow Gaston E. Means," this man was not concern ed in the disappearance of Means va- rious documents and diaries.
 Burns said he had ordered man ! named Bonner" to watch Means. who has been an agent and detective for | the committee.
 Bonner followed Means wherever | he went" Burns said. That was done | at the suggestion of Hiram C. Todd, assistant attorney general prosecuting | Mir. Means in New Ycrk."
 When Senator Wheeler suddenly | switched the questioning to Burns as- sociation with Blair Coan, an employe | of the republican national committee, who went to Montana to investigate Wheeler, Burns agreed that he knew Coan and had met H. c. Closer, witness against Wheeler.
 Senator Wheeler asked Burns how many times he consulted Coan."
 What do you mean, consultedg replied the witness. T saw him four or five times. We talked about Sem ator wheeler's case every time.'
 He identified a man named Nc Graw," as a private detective for merly employed by himself, but de- clared the man worked now for the national committee.
 Confers With Lockwood.
 You have consulted Mir. Lock- wood. secretary of the national com mittee. frequently on my case?" Senator Wheeler demanded.
 T talked with him several times," Burns said.
 Under further questioning he finally conceded that he talked with Lockwood and former Attorney Gen. eral Daugherty about the Wheeler indictment before 1t was returned.
 How many of your private men were in Montana on my indictment?" Senator Wheeler asked.
 fats Al a lot of these lice around here are trying to tell you they were"
 Senator Wheeler told the witness not to 'browbeat" the committee, but to moderate his voice. Burns took exception to that. saying that the sem ator would be mad too. if he knew as much about this as I do." [
 The committee prosecutor then went back to the experiences of Cas- ton Means. Burns said Means went to work for the German government during the war, but at the same time made reports to the Burns private agency, which had some connection with the English secret service, and that the reports really were intended | Tor the United States government.
 Means, Burns said, offered him sf00,000 as a retainer" from the f German government, but he refused t. The Burns agency, engaged in guarding munitions plants where the allies were getting supplies, got Means reports. which Burns said, were very valuable" The dates
 N were in 1915 and 1918.
 The important reports which Means made were 50 badly treated by ! hose In the government" Burns that he got sick and fred of making them"
 Burns then testified he knew How ird Warrington and that Jess Smith used an office in the department of ustice."
 Another Flare-Up.
 Another spat vas threatened when Ienator Wheeler sought the identity f the doIlar-a-year men employed as ecret agents by the bureau of inyes- Igation. Burns said Attorney Gen.