Evening star., 1924-03-15
Daugherty Says Woman's Story
Is Entirely False and Malicious

Sweeping denial of insinuations and
charges made against him before the
Senate investigating committee was
made by Attorney General Daugherty
last night.
ANY inference, direct or indirect,
he said that / ever participated In
any way with the late Jess Smith or
any one else. for a consideration.
either monetary. political or social, In
any dishonorable way. in connection
with the administration of the liquor
laws, or any other laws, is false and
untrue"
The Attorney General proceeded to
deny in detail, in a formal statement.
the differences as to Erongdoing on
his part contained in. the testimony
Iof Roxie Stinson. Smiths divorced
wife, whom Mr.. Daugherty described
las "a disappointed woman who blameS 8
me because her divorced husband did
not make her sole legatee under his
will"
He declared he had mo interest
whatever" with Col. James G. Darden
in his western oil company; that ne
had not been a party to any specuia-
tion to make money out OF vioiataons ~
of the law or out of the showing OF
Iprize fight films, and that Jess Smith
never approached him at any time on
1.-The subject of clemency for federal
prisoners.
! Charges BIackmnf Effort.
"On several occasions" he contln-
iued "it has been intimated py per
sons ostensibly acting for MISS hoAie
Stinson that for a consideration ner
silence could be purchased and any
documents in her possession cou!o
be delivered. all of which deliberate,
and serious attempts at pidchn a.
have been absolutely and unconoi-
itionally rejected"
sued from the Department of Jusuce
last night, mostly directed asainse
Miss Stinson's testimony. one con-
Wheeler giving a list of prosecutions
drought and sentences IMPOSED IN tne
tight film cases; another related more
I'm detail to the story about an aeueea fnp n
attempt to secure c'eHiehes
| The statement making genera us
lpial of the, inferenceS against nin
was issued over the signature OF tne
attorney General and was as io''o" D
Reason For Reply.
1T had been my purpose 70 naan .inn
no public statement IN cor coin Senate
/ committee until the complexion "
the committees work. IN view oI .ne
fact. however, that Roxie S.inson'
the divorced wife of Jess w, hia smith,
deceased was reported i'll and unabie
to annear before the committee 70
conclude her statemnt this morning,
nv connsl have been deprived or the
right of cross-examinatlon upon ne,
sars feer therefore, that ought to
mate a general reply while her state
mants are fresh in the public mlno-
, .She is a disappointed woman VINO
blame me because her dlForceu nus
band did not make her sole Iesatee
dar naIa his will: an angry woman, be-
! namse the courts have decided asainss
har in litigation over the estate OF
her divorced husband; malicious ~
woman. because the frlends Oh tIe
Attorney General nave pIuo ontstive ef.
forts TO capitalize her silence.
"Every lawyer who reads the state
uents made before the senate conn.,
mittee by Miss Roxie Stinson wiz
know at a glance una anae No 1heS Court Of
racord in the United States would
have admitted any portion OF tnem
for any purpose in any JudlclaI p.o-
ceeding. The public, howeNer' un.
! skilled in matters OF TINS namna,ent nonu y
avidence and the gossipy converse,
tions between Miss Roxie Stnson ana
her divorced husband. now deceased
TT appears that Senator Wheeie., M
a member of the comm,..se .an+ ul -,
Justice. who is. in addition to his
4 duties as Judge. also designated as
the prosecutor, left the city, procee9-
ed to Columbus. Ohio, and personally
the late less W. Smith and for
Two days and a half the publicity
emanating from the investigating
COMMITTEES has consisted of alleged
conversations as related by the salo
Roxie Stinson to have taken place
husband, the late Jess w. Smith.
\ "This gossip, incompetent and ma.
/ E.,ous has been heralded throughout
the country in headlines as though y
were competent fsstlmohy tact any 70 inference, %
direct or indirect, that ever partici-
] nated in any way with the late jess
I smith. or any one else, for considera-
tion. either dfahnnayabIe mHnsta pe way in con-
inection with the administrator OF the
iio,,or laws, or any other laws, is false
land untrue, and with all the emphasis
I am able to command ! resent the IN
a,,er ha made by any responsible body
4 now deny the truthfulness of such
charge. h.d .nv in
Iterest whatever with Col. Darden In ms
pany and knew nothing about any such
nromotion or interest therein on the
hart Of Jess W. Smith. The inference
| attempted to be drawn from the state
ments of Miss Roxie Stinson that !:
as Attorney General OF the Unlteo
States. or personally, was a party tc
anv speculation to make money out OF
. | violation of the law and permit the
showing of prize fight films, contrary to
law. is false and untrue. -
Wheeler Has Record. -
"Senator Wheeler has in his posses
sion a full report of the activities OF
the Department of Justice showing that
1.-THE law was enforced most strenuousiy
and he also has a list of the parties
arrested. prosecuted and fined, fur.
nished him under, date OF February -
iIe24 at his request. which he has with,
held since that time. The department
is today releasing the full report for
aG,ertain statements made by Miss
Roxie Stinson TO the effect that there
Twas a large amount OF money freM
1.-THE east deposited in the bank n
Washington Court House. as the re-
suit of my illegal connection with
prixe-fght films are absolutely false
Ii had no connection Herewith, dt.
lrectly or indirectly, except as an ofn-
Ger Of the law strictly enforcing thu
same. as
i DepesltinE ~ Tands.
fs@sAA an sflustration OF the urf !,
infersncs which can be drawn frvn