Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-03
{continued from Pas. on.)

session, Seth May or Auburn was
granted permission to address the
Governor and Council.
"As the Federal officer in charge of
al Federal investigations in Maine
under the national prohibition act,
have found it necessary to attend
this hearing because of notice
served on me by Brother Connolly
and again orally by statements made
this morning.
"It appears to be his intention to
constitute this tribunal an organiza-
ton to investigate my organization
and the conduct Of the agents Of the
United States.
"He proposes to elicit from the
Federal agents under my supervision
matters which are submitted by them
to me in confidence and whice are III
the confidential files of the United
States and cannot be presented.
Resents Insult
"That purpose seems to INCLUDE
Misrepresentation and insult as evil
ence to the court record and to my
faithful agents.
II am glad to assist the State in
any way that I can. l crave your
consideration. 1 cannot stand by
without Directing to efforts to be-
smirch the officers who act under my
direction.
81 wish to enter my appearance and
II it is their purpose to get lntorma-
ton of a confidential nature, then l
wish to have the privilege of enter
ing objection, and to act as counsel
for any of my officers
Connolly Objects
The Governor-"Do you object?
Mr.. Connolly-'I certainly do. He
got no notice from me. He himself
phoned me that he was coming. /
saw that we were expected to mix
up some of his men with women. l
had no notion OF doing that and /
know you would not permit me to
do it.
"They have and do now employ
bootleggers, Letz and a woman
named McDermott to frame up with
Government liquors citizens and q
policeman in Portland
The Governor-"That certainly Is
not germane."
Mr.. Connolly-"Except as they have
brought it up"
Mr.. May-"I am glad to have you
90 ahead and state your position"
Il want to show you enough on
which to found judgment" continued
Judge Connolly. when they send
officers or bootleggers into a jail to
wish to show, except that there has
been no cooperation"
Gov. brewster suggested that Mr..
Connolly had been somewhat broad
er in his opening.
when the sheriff was given war
rants 20 serve on this bootlegger and
the county attorney was called in,
the next thing was phone from the
u. S. district attorney, and l think
also a message from Mr.. May, say
ing the warrants were not for q
proper purpose"
Governor Insists
1.-THE only question is that Seth
May as federal enforcement officer is
here to protect his interests" said TIC
governor.
'"There should be no appearance
until there is need of it," objected
Mr.. Connolly.
Gov. Brewster allowed Mr.. May r.
appear in his own behalf or any 9TH
ers of his employees who were at
tackled.
You may senter his appearance,
said the governor.
Have Mr.. May sworn" was Judge
Connolly's reply.
Mr.. May. was sworn and he testi.
fed that he occupied the position oil
deputy prohibition director for Maine
You have said that the records
Of Mr.. Libby. a prior witness, as to
the cases in the federal court fol-
liquor selling from Kennebec coun-
ty," said Judge Connolly, What Is
wrong with Mr.. Libby's statement:
1T is not the same as my memo
randum,' replied the witness.
How many jail sentences were
given in the federal court from Jan
l, 1924, to date?
The witness read the Jail sentences
given in the federal court in tina,
period, including that of Felix Blouir
of Augusta, whose name has been
linked in the case.
The witness stated that during the
period mentioned that there were rs
cases in the federal court from Ken.
nebec county. that the total months
in Jail given in sentences was q
and the sum of SS,675 was collected
in fines. There was no verdict OF
not guilty in the federal court dur
ing that period.
Refer to Bither Case
Have you an Augusta man by the
name OF Joseph Young in your de-
partment?" asked Judge Connolly.
YES" replied the witness.
who was in charge of liquor per,
mits when one was issued to B
Earle Bither of Augusta?
81 was.
what did Mr.. Young do?
He made inspections of drus
stores and investigated complaints.
did Sheriff Cummings make 6
complaint to you, saying that Rithel
having a federal permit hamperee
him in enforcement of law?
yes, he did. The sheriff said tina
Bither was getting alcohol at the
station, and complaints had beer
to him. l inspected Mr.. Bither':
store with Mr.. Young.
How many times did the sheriff
complain?
only once.
when was Mr.. Bither's permit
revoked?
ut wasn't revoked.
The witness was shown a news
paper clipping about the Bither per
NIT.
Did you write this article?" ask.
ed Judge Connolly.
II forgot all about it," replied thu
witness, Il suppose l did,
Read Newspaper Clipping
A story which appeared month:
ago in a local paper, purporting t.
be based on a letter written by Mr.
May in explanation of the Bithel
permit case. was offered as Defens,
Exhibit 81 by Mr.. Connolly. In thi.
letter, Mr.. May quoted the sheriff
as stating that through influence thu
permit was restored. In his letter
Mr.. May denied that influence hae
any part in the affair.
The article admitted that the sher'
IF, as we'll as Joseph F. Young, one
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