The Bismarck tribune., 1931-12-22
CANNON ACCUSED0F
VIOLATING LAWS IN
COMMITTEE REPORT
Bishop Accounted For Only
$58,558 of $l36, 900 in
. Fund, Committee Says
REPORT SUBMITTED BY NYE
Senate Asked to Withhold Opin-
ion Until virginian Has
Chance to Explain

Washington, Dec. 22.-(PEThe sen-
ate was informed by its special cam
paign funds investigating committee
Tuesday that Bishop James Cannon,
Dr., collected more than $4,000 in the
anti-Smith Democratic campaign of
1923, but reported only $58,558 In ac-
cordance with law.
Summarizing its lengthy inquiry in
to handling of money by the bishop,
the committee reported this had re-
vealed numerous apparent violations
Of the federal corrupt practices act
and many unexplained discrepancies"
between the bank accounts in which
the funds were deposited and the re-
ports made to the clerk of the house.
All the money collected, 1t said,
should have been accounted for under
the law.
1t was this report upon which Bis
hop Cannon Monday asked the senate
to withhold judgment until he has
had an opportunity to reply. The
bishop now is fighting an indictment
for violation of the corrupt practices
act in the District of Columbia SUI
preme court.
Was Responsible Alone
The committee said Bishop Cannon
himself handled a large part of the
funds and deposited them in ac-
counts upon which he "alone was able
to draw checks" y
The committee reported $l8,3O0 of
the political contributions received by
Cannon were placed on deposit to the
credit Of James Cannon, Jr.," OF
James Cannon. Jr., executor" prior
to the date of the general election In
1923 and remained on deposit to the
credit of such accounts for consider
able periods subsequent to the elec-
tion."
The committee further stated 1T
would appear reasonable" from previ-
Gus testimony of Bishop Cannon that
a safe-deposit box IN the American
National bank Of Richmond, Va, 'was
used as depository for some Of the
large amounts of cash which were re-
ceived as campaign contributions, a
total of $27, $50 In cash having been
received from E. G. Jameson alone"
Jameson, New York financier and
Republican, contributed $65 800 to Bis
hop Cannon.
Tells Of Refusals
The committee report, submitted to
the senate Tuesday by Chairman Nye,
recited the refusal of Miss Ada L.
Burroughs, treasurer, and the Rev. J.
Sidney Peters, secretary. of the anti
Smith committee. to testify. How
ever, 1t withheld a recommendation Of
action against them pending q court
decision
"Mr. Peters testimony was particu-
larly desired by the committee" said
the report, lin order to establish the
facts with reference to the solicitation
by mail Of contributions to pay off an
alleged deficit Of some $500, which
was more than covered by two corltrt-
buttons totaling 81 800 made by MIR. E.
c. Jameson subsequent to the close Of
the campaign"
The report on the Cannon inquiry
was 10 printed pages long. It told the
story of the 10 bank accounts MAIN
tanned by the bishop during the 1925
campaign and sought to trace the
funds from one account TO another
and to their ultimate destination. A
chart to show this movement Of funds
was attached.
Referring to "loans'' refunded to
Bishop Cannon from anti-Smith
funds, the committee states ut may
be noted that the report which had
been filed by Miss Burroughs under
date of Dec. 81, 1928, had listed nc
unpaid obligations and had stated the
amount due on loans was $7O04.31
whereas, on Feb. IL, 1929. alleged re-
funds amounting to $l7,308.ll were
listed as having been paid to Bishop
Cannon"
Repayment Is Noted
The committee further noted a re-
payment of "loan" of 5000 to the
anti-Smith Democrats Of North Caro-.
lima which 1t said us clear did no,
represent personal advance OF funds
by Bishop Cannon"
Quoting the testimony of district
workers in Virginia for the anti
Smith Democrats that they knew oi
no separate Virginia committee nor o1
any considerable amounts Of money
sent into their districts by Bishop
Cannon" the committee concluded
there was no separately organized
committee Of Virginia Democrats"
Cannon in challenging senatorial
investigation, has contended the un.
reported funds went into strictly
state organization, requiring no feder'
al ren0rk