Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-05
CANNON ANSWERS
CHARGES IN DETAIL,
BLAMING POLITICS
Continued From First Pase.)

and, If necessary, to meet the onslaught
Of the enemy"
Bishop Cannon not only defended
himself against attacks which have
been made upon him, but he declared
that the control Of the Democratic
party by an organization controlled by
former Gov Smith of New York and
John J. RaSkob, chairman OF the Demo-
cratic national committee. was q mem
ace The real issue of the day in the
Democratic party. he said, was 'Ras-
kobism vs.. Southern Democracy"
Political intimidation. Bishop Can
non said, was the object of the attacks
upon him by political aSSassins." The
bishop reiterated his opposition to Al
fred E. Smith, and declared he was
glad he aided in defeating him. He
charged Senator Garter Glass with
failing to do justice to him after Glass
had made charges against him. al .
though Senator Glass was acquainted
with the facts.
Taking up the charge that he had
profiteered and boarded -four during
the World War. Bishop Cannon said
he had purchased -four for the use OF
Blackstone College. of which he was
then president. April 20, 1917. borrow
ing $4,000 from a Richmond bank for
the purpose. Flour went up in price
and he eventually sold the flour. after
food conservation legislation, designed
to prohibit profiteering, had assured a
supply to the college. The utmost
profit, according to Bishop Cannon,
could not have been more than 81 300,
and that profit was used to pay certain
obligations of the college and not for
his personal benefit. He included in
his statement q declaration made by
the members of the executive commit
1928, saying that they were fully &C.
uuainted with the facts regarding the
dealing in flour for the college and that
the gain in the transaction had been
used for the college.
Bishop Cannon referred to the guber-
Material campaign in Virginia In 1917,
when three candidates for the Demo-
cratic nomination were in the field
Westmoreland Davis, understood to be
opposed to prohibition: John Garland
Pollard, who is now seeking the nomi-
nation for governor again. and Lieut..
Gov Ellyson. The last two candidates
named were "drys." Bishop Cannon
said he became convinced at the time
that only by the withdrawal OF Pollard
could the drys hope to defeat Davis.
WIN was ChPHOAtON Ny OAOSN''
declined to withdraw, although Bishop
Cannon issued q public appeal to him
to do so. Dawes won the nomination
and election. His vote in the primary
was $4,000, that OF Ellyson was $4,000
and Pollard was third with $4,000.
In the following year, 1918, Bishop
Cannon said. letters were written by
Pollard, Glass and others suggesting
that he, Bishop Cannon, had profit
eered in -four and Glass asked for q
ruling from the Food Administration
In his statement today Bishop Cannon
said: Whether the bitterness en-.
gendered by the primary contest OF
1917 was reflected In the letter Of Mr.
Pollard giving details Of my alleged
transaction and the request by Senator
ministrator anonymously with no OPP
portunity to represent myself 1t is diff
ficult to determine. But cannot YET
understand why such an action should
have been taken and such secrecy
maintained.
Takes Up Gambling" Charge.
The charges which have been made
against Bishop Cannon that he has
been a stock gambler" are given much
attention in the bishop'si statement.
Infatuated by their failure to stem
the rising tide Of reputation by the
people OF the Southern States OF
Smiths betrayal of the Democratic
party, rumors were circulated (last
FalD that I had been specializing In
the stock market" said Bishop Cannon
These charges were brought to Sen
ator Glass, Bishop Cannon continued
and Senator Glass wired him asking FOR
authority to deny the truthfulness OF
affidavits, Implying that II I did OF
did not, 1 would brand myself as q
gambler In a bucket shop. I thank God
that I have not yet become such cur
as to play the coward at the threat
of the LASH"
Bishop Cannon said that practically
all his life he had engaged In buying
and selling real estate and various com.
modities; that he had become convinced
that dealing In stocks for investment
and profit was legitimate and for 70
years he had dealt In stocks. He called
Attention to the fact that the report:
of his stock dealing, OF his pronteerina
in flour. of his lending church FUNDS tc
ths anti-Smith campaign committee
had all come this year after he had de-
clared for a separate anti.Smith Demo
cratic convention for the purpose Of
nominating . gubernatorial candidate
He added:
|. us not this a concerted desperate ef'
fort OF RaskobisYn to destroy my infiu'
ence with the people Of Virginia IN tn
approaching election? WIN the people