Seward daily gateway., 1926-03-27
ALASKAS INTERNAL" POLITICAL SQUABBLES FURNISHING HUBBUB AND DINING THE
 EARS OF WASHINGTON'S OFFICIALS
RITCHIE PUTTING UP GREAT DEFENSIVE
ONSLAUGHT OF QUERIES RAZED AS RITCHIE FACES QUIZ COMMITTEE -BLAMES DUGGAN
 AND MCCAIN STARTING THIS MESS

WASHINGTON, U. C.M Mar. ~. (AP).-AlaSka'S $ 1l- tenal political troubles has furnished the talking point of the prohibition hubbub which dnnng the of Wash ngon and increasing in intensity as adjournment ot con- gress draws near.
 aska is the center of quarrel during which he advised Dr. Clarence True Wilson to drop his middle name, while sitting opposite from Dan Sutherland Alaska delegate to Congress- who is responsible for this investigation. Rt chic said he would refrain from using ugly words, but considered Wilson whose veracity challenged Wednes day by Representative OConnor of New York to be not only falser but retailer of falsehoods He resented the remarks he Sad which Wilson made about enforce ment conditions in the Territory and in his district He denied every charge made concerning the administrator of hs judicial duties.
 Ritchie admitted his conviction in Utah on crimi- nal libel charge and stated he had not written the crcu lar letter upon which the charge based He said he never paid the fine imposed which was S10O
 Sutherland wanted to know whether he thought his general attitude helped prohibition enforcement. Rt chic that two violations of the law did not indicate to him vicious law violator.
 A letter from Sherman Duggan, former district at- torney criticisng Ritche was read by Sutherland R chic denied the charge that he reduced sentences imposed by Commissioners. In all cases including prohibition he declared he let off who had ever been vcted for the violation of the prohibition law without i'm posing jail sentence, except in case Commenting on booteggers, Ritche said should be prosecuted for murder Meeting the charges about continuing cases he asserted he acted in such matters except upon recommendation of the district attorney He declared Duggan was playing in favor with the aborng people, and denounced him demagogue and stated he did not know Mrs Margaret Harris, president of the Alaska w. C. T. U. who filed the charges against him.
 Former officials of the district attorneys office named responsible for the charges against him and asserted Sherman Duggan and Harry G. McCain who was Duggans assistant trying to erect political chine and doing everything they to discredit his court.
 Senator Overman asked Ritchie if his nomination should be rejected and whether there anyone there petent to sit district judge Ritche replied that cordng to his judgment might be necessary to get one from outside the division.
 Sutherland criticised Ritchie in referring to those who wanted better law conditions being Bolsheviks Rtchie insisted he was not doing but added those in Alaska he called Bolshevks were those opposed to any who had any property and to corporations and panes.
 Ritchie denounced John W. Frame, and called him "a blackmaier, who attacked everyone who would not sub scribe advertise in his newspaper He stated he lis utterly dsreputable.'
 The subcommittee inquired closely as to the dispo- stion of the liquor seized and held by the district ator neys office at Valdez Ritche stated the matter was fully discussed with Assistant Attorney General Lille brandt who had given instructions in the matter of the liquor going to hospitals.
 Rtche said the enforcement of prohibition has given