The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-28
DAUGHERTY 7 D
BATTLE IN
COURTS
Senate Committee Prepares
to Take Contempt Trial to
Supreme Tribunal.
By WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.

by WILLIAM 4. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.
The Daugherty investigation en-
tered its eighth week today with
the Wheeler-BFookhart committee
facing a clash in the Federal
courts over the methods it used
in seeking evidence of official
corruption.
The committee was prepared
for a legal test of its investigat-
ing powers by the arrest of Mally
s. Daugherty, Ohio banker and
brother Of the former Attorney
General, on a warrant ordered by
q vote Of the Senate. Daugherty
threatened to resist arrest on the
ground that the Senate was ex-
ceeding its constitutional powers.
1t was reported he would file
an habeas corpus action as soon
as taken into custody by a DEPUTY
sergeant-at-arms Of the Senate
who went to Ohio to serve the
warrant.
Won't Obey Committee.
The Senate ordered Daugherty
arrested because of his refusal to
OBEY a committee subpoena or to
give up the records OF his hank the
Mioland National, at Washington
courthouse, Ohio. The warrant or.
dcered Daughterty brought to wash.
ington and arraigned daily before
the "bar OF the Senate" until he
complied with every request of the
committee.
The Senate's action was taken at
the request OF the Wheeler, Brook.
hart committee after investigators
reported that both Harry M. Daugh.
erty ana Jesse w. Smith, his late
confidant, kept large deposits in the
bank.
One Of the former Attorney Gen.
erals deposits was said to have been
5000, which Is was said, might
have some connection with a bribe
alleged to.have been paid Smith by
agents for q Japanese aircraft firm,
which faced Federal prosecution.
Committee Ready to Fight.
The BFoekhart COMMITTEES stood
ready to fight any legal action taken
by Mel Daugherty to prevent his
appearance before the "bar Of the
Senate" 1t was reported the com
mittee would sent attorneys to Ohio
70 defend the Senate's action il
Daugherty instituted a legal fight.
It was generally conceded, how.
ever that the legal question raisej
against the investigating activities
Of Senate committees would be car.
ried ultimately to the United States
Supreme Court for decision.
The Daugherty case, 1t was said,
would parallel the action expected
% be taken by Harry F. Sinclair,
he millionaire oil man, in fight
proceeding ordered by the Senate.
Sinclair already has announced
he viii fight the Senate's contempt
action to the nations highest court.
Resumes Public Sessions.
Despite interest In the Daugherty
proceeding, the Brookhart commit.
Zee resumed Its public sessions to.
lay, Witnesses were on hand to
present new evidence on the al.
eyed negligence of the Department
II Justice under Daugherty in fan,
ng to prosecute antitrust suits.
The Department itself rallied to
)augherty's defense. In an EEK
,ression Of confidence" all the as.
slant attorneys general Joined in
ending a message to the fornef
Attorney General. Led by Solicitor
ieneral James M. Neck, the sign.
rs declared their Admiration Tor
Jour Daugherty's) courage, indus
Try and integrity In every matter
which has come under our personal
observation while you were Attor.
ney General of the United States"
Your loyalty to our President
and our country is above and he.
yond reproach." the message con.
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