Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-07
WOMAN TREASURER
OF CANNON'S FUND
BALKS COMMITTEE
Miss Ada L. Burroughs Re-
fuses to Answer Queries on
Anti-Smith Campaign.
HOLDS NYE INQUIRY
LACKS JURISDICTION
Chairman Indicates He Will Ask
Senate to Cite Her on Con-
tempt Charge.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

ID
The Nye Senate Campaign Elk
penditures Committee ran up against
2. stone wall today in it's effort to go
further with it's investigation cf the
handling of the $65,o00 Jameson con-
tribution to the anti-Smith Democratic
campaign in Virginia in 1928 by Bishop
James Cannon, jr.
The stone wall in this case was MISS
Ada l.. Burroughs OF Richmond, Va.
who was treasurer of the anti-Smlth
Democratic Committee, headed by
Bishop Cannon, in 1928.
Quietly and courteously, but with
absolute finality, Miss Burroughs de-
clined to testify or to answer the ques-
tions propounded to her by the chair
man OF the committee, Senator Nye
Of North Dakota.
VIII Seek Contempt Citation.
Chairman Nye said after the COM
mittee meeting:
There seems to be nothing for the
committee to do but to call the at
tention of the Senate to the refusal
Of Miss Burroughs to answer its ques-
tions and to ask the Senate TO cite
her for contempt"
The Nye Committee has several other
witnesses in addition to Mr.. Stevens to
question in the Cannon investigation.
One of the principal witnesses has oeen
seriously Ill. The plan OF the conln lit
tee is to go ahead and near these VII
nesses as soon as they are able to be
present.
If the Senate determines TO proceed
against Miss Burroughs for contempt,
the Senate will order the matter re-
ported to the United States attorney
for the District of Columbia with in
structions for him to proceed against
Miss Burroughs.
nlittee will take under consideration re-
porting to the Senate that there had
been a violation of the Federal corrupt
practices act in order to ask prosecu-
ton. He said that the committee would
probably meet sometime next week to
consider these matters.
He indicated that the committee
would seek no further testimony IN us
search for the use OF money by Blsncp
Cannon in the 1928 campaign.
When Harry F. Sinclair millionaire
oil operator, refused to testify to SEN
ate committee, the Senate cited hlm
for contempt, and he was subsequently
sent to Jail by the court.
Denies Committee Power.
At the outset of the hearing Miss
Burroughs submitted to the committee
a statement which she said she had
prepared, but for which she had OBJ
tanned legal advice, denying the jurls-
diction of the committee.
Bishop Cannon himself, who has pro-
tested against the investigation by the
Nye Committee of his handling OF the
Jameson or any other contributions
made to the anti-Smith campaign, was
in the committee room when the COM
rnittee assembled this morning.
Rising upon his clutches, Bishop
Cannon asked that his letters OF protest,
addressed to the committee. be made
part Of the committee record. To this
Chairman Nye aSsented The bishop
then resumed his seat across the table
from the committee and awaited de-
velopments. They were not long IN
coming.
Miss Burroughs was called to the
witness chair. Dressed in black ana
with a black hat and wearing large
horn-rimmed spectacles, Miss Burroughs
did not appear a formidable antagonist
of the Senate committee. She spoke IN
low but distinct voice, with a soft
Southern accent.
Warned of Prosecution.
Chairman Nye and other members OF
the committee. however, were unable
IN shake her determination not to sub
NIT, 10 Investigation in this matter. She
was warned by members OF the COM
rnittee that she might find herself sub
inct TO prosecution and punishment 1or
her refusal to reply TO the Senate COM
rntttee questions. Miss Burroughs an
swered that she understood this. But
that did not shake her determination
not to answer the questions.
Chairman Nye explained later that If
the committee determined to take any
action against Miss Burroughs 1t could
90 nothing until the Senate was again
in session. Congress will not convene
until December.
After the committee had sought for
more than half an hour to shake the
determination Of Miss Burroughs not
to answer questions. she was excused by
Chairman Nye. The chairman an
moned in the Cannon case, G. d. Ste
vens. a merchant of Charlottesville, Va.
would be excused for the present.
When Miss Burroughs took the stand
she Immediately asked leave to present
written statement. At first she even
declined TO give her name and resi-
dence until Senator Dale OF Vermont
insisted that he wished TO know VINO
the witness was before she was hearo'
She finally went to the extent OF giving
her name and address. and then read
her prepared statement TO the commit :
tee. This statement was similar IN
many respects to the arguments ad-
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