The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-18
HELP OF STONE. SOUGHT POVERTY STORY OF REMl]S
The Daugherty Committee
 Seeks To Learn Why - Witness Was Indicted

WASHINGTON, May 17.--Aid from the department of justice in getting more of the story of George Remus about payments for protection while operating in the bootlegging industry was sought today by the Senate Daugh- erty committee.
 At the same time, in a heated open session, the committee strove to find why one of the witnesses long held in reserve in it's inquiry has lately been made the object of federal prosecution Hnd learned incidentally that the de- partment's bureau of investigation is being extensively reorganized by At forney General Stone, since w. J. Burns, its former chief, resigned last week.
 Senator Wheeler, the committee pros- ecutor, introduced into the session the theory that tffe $100,000 paid former Secretary Fall by E. l.. Doheny was 6ntended to finance Mexican revolution lary activities, but the suggestion was not followed up, nor supported by tes- : timony.
 Writ Is Needed
 Remus, now in Atlanta penitentiary, told yesterday of paying $250O00 or more to Jess W. Smith, dead companion lof, former Attorney General Daugherty, for protection" and offered to go per isonally and bring cancelled checks from Ia secret, secluded spot" if the commit tee would arrange it., Mrs. Mabel Wal 'ker Willebrandt, assistant att0EMey general, in charge of prohibition Nen- lforcement, notified Chairman Brook hart by letter today that court writ would be necessary and Senator Brook .hart announced that the department had agreed to seek the proper legal au- esthority.
 According to committee members, Remus has also a controversy with the bureau of internal revenue as to in- come tax payments upon tremendous liquor selling which he conducted out of Ohio and other places prior to his conviction.
 Warren W. Grimes, a special assist ant to the Attorney General, and J. E. Hoover, acting head of the bureau of investigation, were the only two wit nesses called in the opening session. Senator Wheeler asked Grimes why an indictment had been asked in California against Fred Gershon, former special agent, who was expected to tell the committee something about the revolu-
 
 Estaban CantW
 t Grimes agreed that he had written letter signed by MT. Burns, which sug- gested to the departments agent in Los Angeles that Gershon was posing as moral uplifter and house cleaner" of the government service, but might be shown to have taken bribe money for letting munitions pass the American border in violation of neutrality laws. The letter bore a recent date, and Sen ator Wheeler declared the action was instituted to ''intimidate" committee witnesses, but Senator Moses, repub- lican, New Hampshire, protested that Grimes should not be confronted with imputations against his motives.
 Asked as to the use of the Doheny payment to Fall, Grimes denied any knowledge of it's relation to the Lower California affair. The Cantu rebel lion took place in 1921,
 Hoover, although not informed of the proceeding against Gershon, told the committee that Attorney General Stone had instructed him to reduce the per sonnel of the bureau of investigation materially. Its agents were instructed to institute no new inquiries without the approval of the Attorney General, and hereafter it's employees are to be law school graduates only. The num- Der of "under-cover" men is also to be curtailed sharply. .