Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-31

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Committee with deliberately decid-
ing to hold its recent hearings in his
absence.
The bishop also charged that the
committee, which Is investigating ex-
penditures in the national campaign of
1928, was conducting "a fishing expe-
dition to secure. If possible, some EVIL
dence of criminal conduct on my part"
He added that he had never opposed
a grand jury investigation but had in
sisted and shall continue to insist
that my rights as q citizen are in
fringed upon by the Senate Commit
tee, which has no Jurisdiction over the
election Of presidential electors"
Text Of Statement.
His statement follows:
First, the adjournment of the Sen
ate Investigating Committee until Oc-
toher fatty contradicts the previous
statement made by the committee that
the statute OF limitations made an Au-
gust committee meeting necessary.
Although I notified the committee
In May that oficial church duties re-
CURED by presence in Europe from
August 10 to September 20, 1t deliber-
ately decided to hold the meeting i'm
my absence. It is now evident it could
have been deferred until by return
Second. the testimony given before
the committee clearly indicates it was
not for the purpose OF remedial legisla-
ton. as claimed In the hearing in the
District Court. but the hearing was
nshing expedition to secure, il possible.
some evidence Of criminal conduct on
my part. thus Illegally assuming grand
jury functions.
Denies Interstate Deals.
Third, all money expended bv anti.
Smith committees, or by myself per-
sonally, was TO defeat the Smith presi-
1entiAl electors, who TIE Supreme Court
has declared, are State officials, hence
the provision concerning same in the
Federal corrupt practices act is un-
constitutional therefore null and void,
and Congress has no Jurisdiction over
such expenditures. However. Miss Bur-
Committee OF Anti-Smith Democrats
did send sworn reports tn the clerk of
the House Of Representatives Of all re-
ceipts and expenditures. Not che dol
lar was spent for the election Of Repre-.
sentatives or Senators.
Fourth, all money not reported by
MISS Burroughs al treasurer which
passed through my hands was ex-
pended in the Virginia State campaign
exclusively to defeat the Smith presi-
oential electors. and concerning such
state expenditures no report has ever
oeen required by law or precedent. I
learned a year later that at the request
OF Senator Steiwer the Virginia state
Smith Democratic Committee did send
statement. unSworn and unitemize6
except the lump sum fof general pur-
poses and the amount 10: each con-
gressional district. gave ar exactly
similar statement to the press in June.
1871, OF the expenditure OF the jane
son contribution Of $4,000.
Gave $4,000 to McNinch.
Fifth. I can not recall any CORE
spondence or conversation with Chair
man Huston concerning the transmits
sion of check to the North Carolina
anti-Smith Democrats.
II did write Chairman Frank Nc
Ninch and sent $4,000 with the agree
ment IL would be refunded later, If
possible, but when 1t was not refunded
IL was recorded in the supplement re-
the House.
Sixth, I must emphas re again
have never opposed 4 md j,irv in
vestigation II the Department OF Justice
decided the law and facts warranted
such a procedure. But I have insisted
ana shall continue to insist, that INV
rights as a citizen are infrinked upon
by the Senate Committee, which has
no Jurisdiction over the election of
presidential electors, but which can in
troduce entirely irrelevant testimonies
concerning my private affairs, with no
power to protect my rights such as
regular court procedure would guar