Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-08

/ less the SOuIIlGTI SeIdLOTS, from the
States interested in such products
agree to vote for the tariff bill as a
| whole"
THAT is the only way to get Demo
cratic Senators to vote for protection,
said Mr.. Arnold.
do you mean you were taking money
from Southern agricultural interests to
work for protective rates, and were then
asking Republican Senators to vote
against those rates?" asked Senator
Caraway.
Without giving direct answer to
the question, Mr.. Arnold replied that
his organization was doing anything ii
could to develop protective tariff senti-
ment in the South.
Reveals Prison Term.
Chairman Caraway also developed to-
day that William G. Gillespie of William
G. Gillespie & Co., certified public ac-
countants, of Baltimore, who audited
the books of the American Taxpayers
League during period of years, served
a penitentiary sentence for conviction
on charge of conspiracy to defraud in
returning false statements about the
financial operations of a Baltimore con-
Germ.
Later, Senator Blaine brought out
that a copy Of the auditors report of
the leagues finances noted a $4,000
loan Arnold testified he made the league,
but that the books of the league showed
no such item.
Endeavoring to check on these and
other discrepancies, Senator Blaine sud-
denly dismissed Arnold from the stand
ana called as a witness Miss Lydia Pop
kins OF Fredericksburg, Va. an employe
or the Taxpayers League since 1922,
whose name was signed to two checks.
Tor $4,000 and 81 900, referred to in the
auditors report as having been noted
on December last.
Miss Popkins identified the purported
copy OF the auditing firms report and
the books of the league, and agreed
with Senator Blaine that the ALLEGED
$4,000 loan was noted in the one and
not in the other.
Got Money Himself.
She testified she supposed Arnold
himself got the money on the two
Checks although they were made pay
able to the Munsey Trust Co., signed by
herself, and the one for $4,000 was
without Endorsement.
Miss Popkins testified that the entry
of the two checks should have been
charged to Ida M. Darden for $4,000
and to Vance Muse for 81 900 instead of
to general expenses" as they were list
ed. Mrs. Darden and Muse are field
agents and collectors Of the league.
Miss Popkins testified further that
she. thought the bookkeeper had made
an omission in entering the items, but
that she saw nothing wrong about it.
Miss PopkinS testified that as Office
manager she took the responsibility for
destroying most of the letters from the
leagues field agents. She said she did
1t without instructions and because the
letters were too much trouble to file.
Senator Walsh asked her how the
league could keep up with the activities
OF these agents and collectors who re-
ported once or twice a week If she de-
stroyed their reports. The witness said
she supposed Arnold kept all the letters
he wanted to keep.
Senator Walsh brought out that while
the committee had great many letters
written by Arnold to various persons
and letters to Arnold, they had no let
tiers from the field agents reporting on
their work. Miss Popkins said it was
unnecessary" to keep them.
Offers Governors Letter.
Another high light in the hearing to-
day came when Senator Caraway con-
fronted the witness with a statement
Florida denying that his State had ever
contributed lone cent" to the American
Taxpayers League. Mr.. Arnold had
testified yesterday that the State OF
Florida contributed $2,050 to the league
Zone Of you is not telling the truth"
declared Senator Caraway.
II know We got the check from
Florida" declared MIR. Arnold. It'll
check it up and find out more about it.
| My understanding was that we got it as
result OF an act of the State Legis-
! lature"
Senator Walsh grilled the witness in
an effort to find out the names of mem
berS OF a farm group" supposed to
be representatives of various farm or
CARNATIONS, who attended luncheon
here on October of this year. when
] there was discussion of various Re-
publican Senators who could be counted
on to help in getting protection for
Southern products. Several times Mr..
Arnold said that he could not be Ger
tain who, besides himself, was present
at this luncheon
| Cant you tell us the name of one
man who was present so we can call
him to corroborate your testimony"
asked Senator Walsh.
we held many such conferences"
replied Mr.. Arnold, land 1 cannot re-
member who was present on that par
ticular occasion"
Several times Mr.. Arnold referred to
my organization"
I'VE know all about that-your or
ganization is yourself" declared Sena-
tor Caraway.
Operations Questioned.
Arnold's financial operations were in.
CURED into at length by Senator Blaine
who sought specific information about
Arnolds reported loan to the American
Taxpayers League, and various &C.
counts at banks in the name Of Arnolc
personally and the American Taxpayers
League.
Arnold testified that the league
owed him $4,000. He explained thai
he had transferred out of his persona
account $4,000 by check to the account
of the league and that he thought tn,
other $4,000 was represented by salar!
he had not been paid.
Arnold said in reply to Blaine tina
he had no evidence of having mad
the loan, except the Cancelled check
, He testified that officers of the leagu
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