Evening star., 1926-06-03

witness there was nothing unusual
about the transaction.
Mai. Davis G. Arnold, national
guardia nship officer of the Netera MS
Bureau. another Blanton witness.
sketched briefly the nocturnal visit OF
Commissioner Fenning 10 the bureau
a few weeks ago to look at the papers
in the Norris case. Under cross-eXam-
ination, Mai. Arnold said it was at his
suggestion that the meeting was held
at night, as the hour MIR. Fenning
wanted TO visit the bureau was oc-
cupied with another engagement Mr..
Fenning served as attorney for Mrs.
Eliza Norris, committee for her hus-
band.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Hogan. the
witness placed in evidence the entire
correspondence file in the Fred c.
Hall and Norris cases. The purpose Of
the Hall file was TO clear up the
charges made by Representative
Green of Florida that the Commits
sioner, as committee for the ward. had
made no effort to facilitate the trans
fer of the veteran from st. Elizabeth 3
Hospital to a bureau institution at
Augusta. Ga, which was desired by
the parents. The correspondence
showed Mr.. Fenning had left the mat
ter of transfer to the medical author
tiles and 1t was they who recommend
ed against it. owing to the man
mental and physical condition.
Mai. Arnold also was asked about
the fees charged by Mr.. Fenning for
representing veterans claims before
the bureau, and he replied that after
an investigation it was found that In
no case had the law been violated.
When the Blanton charges of violat'
T. .nfn n
made on the floor Of the House, the
witness said the director of the bureau
ordered a thorough investigation and
found nothing to warrant prosecution.
Mr. Bianton stated he was not sat
isfied' with the" ma jors testimony.
and bluntly announced he would en-
deavor to "impeach" it. He questioned
him closely about Mr.. Jennings visit
to the bureau and sought to bring out
that several days were required De-
fore the Norris file was turned over 10
Arnold by the Washington guardian
ship office. In support of this he pro
duced a memora ndum requesting the
papers. dated April 81, and signed by
a Col. Mcmillan, and another docu,
ment to show they had been delivered
April 26. In spite Of this, Maj. Arnold
stoutly maintained he was cailed on
the telephone at 4l5 O'Clock by Mr.
Fenning, that he in turn called Col.
Mcmillan and by 4:3O O'Clock the
papers were on his desk AT that hour
he had to keep an engagement with
Mrs. Arnold and Mr.. Fennlng visited
the bureau at 7:30 O'clock.
Mai Arnold then was asked by Mr..
Blanton if he knew Of the SO zee re
ceived by Mr.. Fenning and Paul v.
Rogers from Mrs. Eliza Norris. ana
the witness said he did, but thought
there was no violation of the law, as
1t concerned legal services LOOKING 10
the appointment of the woman as com
mittee for her husband.
Headley Case Figures.
Representative Hammer. Democrat
of North Carolina, testified regarding
a conversation Mr.. Fenning had win
him. The Commissioner said ne was
allowed by law to charge from l 10 ~
ner cent commissions for services as
committee and that he had never
charged over the 10 per cent maxi
mum. He also told Mr.. Hammer, the
witness said. that he denoted Head
lev because the inspector and Eldridge
could not get along. Both could not
be superior in authority, Mr.. Ham
mer recalled, adding that Mr.. Fen
ming said they were continually on
the outs with each other.
Mr.. BlantDn attempted to offer eX'
cerpts of Mr.. Jennings defense state.
ment before the Gibson committee and
his letter to Representative Madden
which was refused admission to the
Congressional sRecord. The commit
tee thought that all the statements
should go in, but Mr.. Blanton said he
was not willing to present Mr. Fen
ning's defense for him. The commit
tees suggestion was based on the fact
that Mr.. Fenning himself would take
the stand and ample opportunity
would be given to obtain any admis-
sions possible at that time. Mr..
Blanton then declined to offer the
statements.