Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-02
CANNON IN COURT;
HEARING DATE SET
Justice Proctor Fixes Novem-
Der 20 for Argument
on Demurrer.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press,
Justice James Proctor today set Fri
day, November 20. for argument before
the District Supreme Court of the de-
murrer filed by attorneys for Bishop
James Cannon, jr., to an indictment
charging him with wilfully violating
the corrupt practices law.
The date was fixed by agreement be-
tween Assistant District Attorney John
Wilson and the Southern Methodist
churchman's chief counsel. Robert H
Mcneil. whose demurrer challenged
the constitutionality Of the corrupt
practices act.
Just before the court convened.
Bishop Cannon and Miss Ada L. Bur-
roughs treasurer Of his anti-Smith
Democratic Committee in 1928. who
was charged. along with the clergy
man. with failing to report campaign
contributions, made bond of $1,000
each.
Cannon in Court.
Miss Burroughs then left the court
house. but the bishop. assisting himself
with a crutch and carrying large
bundle OF newspapers under his left
arm. went into Justice Proctor's Grim
inal Court and took a seat in the front
row opposite the bench.
During the brief time consumed In
setting a date for arguing the demur-
rer. Cannon sat between his attorneys,
Mcneil and Harry w. Nice, Baltimore
attorney.
The bishop rested his chin on his
crutch and listened intently to what
was said
In the last row of the court room a
number of the clergyman's parishion-
ers wefe gathered.
Among those present at tcdays court
proceedings was DR.. william A. Shelton,
pastor of the Mount Vernon Methodist
Episcopal Church South, one OF the
nine who signed Bishop Cannon's bond
Shelton recently was exonerated by
church investigating jury of charges
brought by his secrStary.
The other bondsmen were:
L. E. Breuninger. Jesse o. Jollid, s
w. Cockrell. L. A. Coffman, J. c. Copen-
haven. r. D. Webb, r. T. Buckingham
and E. F. Slanner.
Breuninger. Cockrell and Jolliff signed
Miss Burroughs bcnd
Plans Revealed Yesterday.
Mcneil, chief counsel, made known
the defense plans last night before the
arraignment toSay Of the 62-year-old
clergy man and Miss Burroughs.
Nice, who lost the Maryland guber-
material race in 1919 to Gov. Richie
BY I65 votes, was retained only recently
as defense counsel. He helped pre-
pare the demurrer to the 10-count in
dictment alleging failure to report cam
paign fund contributions.
1t contended presidential electors are
State officers ana that the corrupt prac-
tees law is unconstitutional in so far
as 1t attempts to regulate their election.
Before the grand jury inquiry Nc
Neill filed brief arguing the bishops
political activities dealt only with these
electors.
May Hasten Trial.
Dismissal of the demurrer probably.
would lead to an early trial. Should it
be sustained, the Government would
have the right of appeal.
Meanwhile, the National Women's
Democratic Law Enforcement League
asked District Attorney Leo A. Rover
iwhat action would be taken against the
Association Against the Prohibition
Amendment for failing to report a
$4,000 contribution.
Mrs Jesse W. Nicholson, league preSi-
dent wrote evidence of the failure was
in the Senate Lobby Committee hear
ings and said: Since it was through
your Office that action against Bishop
Cannon was brought for his supposed
failure to report money received, ac-
cording to the corrupt practices act. we
await with much interest your action
in the case Of the association"
Rover said he had directed Wilson to
investigate the matter.
The Cannon indictment was based on
contributions to the bishops commit
Tee by Edwin c. Jameson, New York
capitalist and Republican.