New Britain herald., 1928-03-08
SMITH. PlQUED AT
 CRITICISM, HINTS
 KNAPP CASE MOVE
Continued from First Page.)

Otis and outspoken comments in some newspaper editorials that the dropping of the case was the result of q political deal,' the governor , asserted that from the time he turn i cd the matter over to Le Boeuf, he had absolutely no control over any phase of it.
 T had no control over it from here," Smith declared. When 1 was presented with the original charges l against the secretary of state, I im- mediately turned them over to Le Boeuf. During the course of the in- vestigation he never consulted with me once. In fact l don't recall that l ever saw him during that time. 1 He never reported to me until the final formal report was made. So far as my choosing him out of q group of distinguished lawyers whose names were presented to me, because he was the most obscure. that is ri- diculous. For this particular inquiry l believed, and still believe. that Mr. Le Boeuf was the best fitted.' Governors AnSWer
 The charge by Otis that George Graves. the governors secretary, was employed by Mrs. Knapp on census work, was met by the governor with the answer that since the time when Theodore Roosevelt was governor Graves has been doing pen work in the secretary of states. office."
 He is handy with the pen," the governor explained. and for years has been doing work on the side en- crossing various certificates in the secretary of states office. All the work Is done outisde of the hours of the executive office. and 1t was done long before this investigation"
 Thinks Mrs. Knapp Guilty
 Randall L. Le Boeuf. Jr.. who as Moreland act commissioner appoint ed by Governor Smith investigated Mrs. Florence E. s. Knapp's con- duct of the 1925 state census, de- clared in a statement today that nothing has occurred" to change his opinion as to the soundness of his recommendations that the former secretary of state should be prose- cuted on four criminal charges.
 My report to the governor fol- lowed a painstaking investigation he declared, ''and is based upon sworn testimony and documentary evidence. In my opinion I would have violated my oath as . cons- missioner had made any other recommendations than those detail. ed in my report"
 MT. Le Boeuf's statement wal given out as result of the decision of District Attorney Charles J. Her. rick of Albany county not to pre- sent the charges to the grand jury
 Agrees to Comment
 Tt has been strongly urged upon me that I should comment on MT Herrick's action in withholding the evidence of Mrs. Knapp's census ac. tivities from the grand jury" he said. If I could see any good that would come from my making a de. tailed statement, I would unhesi. tatingly speak my mind. My duties however, ended with the filing ol my report.
 Nothing has occurred to change my opinion as to the soundness oi those recommendations. What tht , district attorney does is a matter between him and the governor. "As the governor knows. I did not seek the appointment as com missioner" Le Boeuf continued.
 His request, coupled with thu } urging of the attorney general. led me 10 undertake what I realize would be a most unpleasant task Once having accepted the appoint.
 ment, however. I endeavored c
 handle the matter thoroughly. fair.
 ly and to the best of my ability My report to the governor followed a painstaking investigation and t
 based on sworn testimony and docu.
 mentary evidence. In my opinion
 would have violated my oath as . commissioner had l made any other recommendations than those de. tailed in my report"