San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-17
CALLS THEM CROOKS"
Relates Conversations Held
With Jap Muma About
Distribution.
SAYS HE QUIT HIS JOB,
Declares Burns Took No
Action After His Re-
port on Case.

Washington. ID. C., March IT,
A story alleging that Attorney Gen
eral Daugherty was himself concerned
in an unlawful conspiracy to ex-
hibit the Dempsey-C Carpenter fight
films and had suggested that those
behind the scheme should get a 80
per cent cut in the profits, was
related today to the Senate commit
tee investigating the Department Of
Justice.
Gerald o. Holdridge, former
secret agent of the department, told
the story as be said it had been
related to him by Jan Muma, New
York correspondent Of the Cincinnati
Enquirer, and one of those named as
hacker of the distribution plan.
IIoldridge read TO the committee under
oath long statement regarding his
conversations with Muma, and at
the end Of the statement there was
an endorsement by Thomas Spellacy,
another former department agent,
saying the assertions made were
absolutely true" Spellacy. Hold
ridge says, was present when he
talked with Muma.
After he had heard Muma's story,
Holdridge went on. he came TO WASH
ington and related it to William J..
Purns. head of the Justice Depart-
ment's bureau of investigation. In.
stead of ordering any prosecution,
however, he said, Burns transferred
him to a long-pending bank case. Some
time afterward, he said, he quit the
government service lin disgust
Relates Plan Details.
According to Muma. as quoted by
Holdridge, the plan to show the pic
lures over the country despite the
federal law against their transporta-
ton across state lines, followed a pri-
vate exhibition at the home here of
Edward Il. Mclean, attended by
President Hardlng and members Of
the cabinet.
At the conclusion of the showing
at the Mclean house, Holdridge said
"Muma had talk with Attorney
General Daugherty and the President
and later Secretary Hughes, Secretary,
Christian. and Harry s. New, then
a senator and now postmaster gen
eral. Joined in THE discussion.
"He (Muma) told me it seemed
to be the general opinion said the
witness, that it was shame people
NOT see Later
talking with the attorney general, be
told me, was told that the law against
the pictures was solely directed to
their transportation.
"Muma went on TO say Attorney
General Daugherty directed him to
see Alfred r. Urion, an attorney in
Washington. He said he saw Urion:
and that he told hin what to do.
Nba,, aatafa1 rs SAVING
that he reached an understanding with
UriOn, who was supposed 10 be
friend of the attorney general. with
result that "we went 10 it, exhibit
ing the pictures in more than twenty
states with large profits.
Saw Contract Copy.
The witness also declared that
Muma had shown him a copy Of the
contract under which the deal was
consummated. and under which Muma
under dummy name, was 10 receive
30 per cent of the profits. The con-
tract. he said, bore the names OF lex
Richard. the fight promoter and +.
&. Quimby, producer of the picture
Holdridge was the first witness on
the stand when the inquiry resumed IT'S
hearings--Monday morning.
The witness was asked what he
knew about any arrangement whereby
the pictures were TO be exhibited over
the country in spite of the law prohib-
iting their transportation in interstate
commerce. F. c. Quimby. producer OF
the films. testified that they were
shown in 80 states under an under
standing" that there would be no IN
terference bv the Justice Department
and CASTOR r. Means. once an agent
for the department. told the committee
that he received and passed on 10 Jess
smith. close friend Of Attorney Cen
eral Daugherty. various sums Of money
in consequence Of such an arrange
ment.
While Holdr.dgc wss on the stsnd
the committee also made plans - t'i-
low M its investigation into gun-rnn-
ming on the Mexican border ard into
stories OF American fipancial aid 70