Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-07
WOMAN TREASURER.
BALKS COMMITTEE
Cannon's Aide in Virginia
Campaign Refuses to An
SWer Nye Investigators.
Continued From First Page.l

i
last session, seeking to give the Nye
Committee authority to investigate all
charges brought against. any one who
had part in the 1928 elections. Miss
Burroughs said in effect that she had
been advised that a legislative body
such as Congress has no jurisdiction
to try any one for violation of the
corrupt practices act. She said that
the GLASS resolution contemplated no
legislation. but sought to give certain
judicial functions TO the Senate and its
committees.
Miss Burroughs quoted a decision
rendered by Associate Justice Gray Of
the Supreme Court in the case Of FitZ-
gerald versus Green in which the Su-
preme Court held that presidential and
vice presidential electors are State
officers, just as are members OF the
State Legislature, and that the regula-
ton of such electors should be left to
the States and not attempted by Con-
gress Miss Burroughs insisted that
the Anti-Smith Democratic Campaign
Committee had been interested IN the
presidential election of 1928. and that
the Senate committee had no Jurtsdic-
ton to go into the activity of the COM
idential electors.
II assert" said Miss Burroughs, that
have not knowingly violated any pro-
visions of the Federal corrupt practices
act, nor have I fraudulently converted
any campaign funds to my private use.
Believing that the committee Is with
out Jurisdiction and any investigation
attempted under Senate resolution No.
403 0he Glass resolution. is, as the
Supreme Court has declared. unauthor-
lied and unwarranted by law and would
constitute violation Of my personal
rights as a citizen of the United States,
testimony in this investigation"
Declines All Answers.
When Miss Burroughs completed the
reading Of her statement, Chairman
Nye asked:
Have you given thorough consider
alton to the possible result of your
declination to answer questions of the
committee and have you had advice in
the matter?"
Il have" was the reply.
Senator Nye continued:
you were treasurer of the anti
Smith Democratic Committee in 1928.
Do you contend that this committee
had to do only with the presidential
election?"
Il decline To- answer any further
questions" said the witness in a firm
voice.
Reports Are Cited.
After the committee had conferred
for several minutes without leaving the
room, Chairman Nye returned to the
assault. He called attention of Miss
Burroughs to the fact that there had
been filed with the clerk of the House
and with the Secretary of the Senate
certain reports Of contributions and ex-
pendituIes from the anti-Smith Demo-
cratic headquarters and that these re-
ports Rad been signed by Miss Bur-
roughs. The first of these was dated
September 6. 1928. In reply to his ques-
ton about the first report Miss Bur-
roughs admitted that she had filed that
report. But when Senator Nye sought
to question her further about second
report under date of october 81, 1928,
The witness flatly declined to testify fur
Their.
Chairman Nye asked the witness also
about reports filed on January %. 1929,
and February IS, 1929, asking her
whether she had knowledge of these
reports.
Miss Burroughs would not answer
She was questioned also about a report
Of $17,364 Of unpaid obligations to
Bishop Cannon, contained in a sub
sequent report, and was asked why
no notation was made of these unpaid
obligations at an earlier date.
Il decline to answer said Miss Bur-
roughs.
Did you handle the Jameson con-
tributions to the anti-Smith Demo-
cratic campaign" asked Senator Nye
Il decline to answer" said the wit
ness.
Silent on 81, 1854 Check.
Chairman Nye said that the records
showed that on February II, 1929, a
check had been drawn to Bishop Can
non for $17,364. and asked the witness
II she knew anything about that.
i decline to answer" was the reply.
The chairman sought to question
Miss Burroughs about the Asheville
conference held July Is and 10, by
Southern dry Democrats to organize
the anti-Smith Democratic campaign.
He asked Miss Burroughs If she was
present at the conference. She de-
clined to answer, however Nor would
she say anything about letter written
by Bishop Cannon to E. C. Jameson in
New York. asking for a generous con-
tribution to the anti-Smith Democratic
campaign.
In that letter, Bishop Cannon de-
clared that the feeling in the South
against the wet, Tamnlany candidate"
(meaning Alfred e. Smith was not
simply a revolt but had the earmarks
of revolution. Bishop Cannon &C
cused Gov. Smith Of double-dealing and
Of insulting the dry Democrats in the
South. He declared:
I'VE are satisfied we can break the
Solid South"
AS chairman of the anti-Smith Dem
ocratic headquarters, Bishop Cannon
said that one of his jobs was to raise
the money to conduct the campaign
He said that they were trying to raise
fund Of 100000 and that mini
mum of $4,000 was needed imne-
oiately, adding that he hoped Mr..
Jameson would make a contribution.
Reads CannOn's Call.
Are you familiar with the signature
of Bishop James Cannon. jr.?" Senator
Nye asked Miss Burroughs, passing the
letter over to her.
II have nothing further to add to my
statement and will not testify" said
Miss Burroughs.
At this point, Senator Nye read from
call sent out by Bishop Cannon for
the Asheville conference. In this call
it was stated that the effort would be
to elect dry Democratic senatorial and
congressional candidates, and State
officers and to defeat the wet Tammany
candidate for President.
You still maintain, Miss Burroughs"
said Senator Nye, that the anti-Smith
Democratic headquarters were inter
ested only in the presidential election?"
Il decline to answer" said the wit
ness.
Chairman Nye told the witness that
the record revealed violation of the
corrupt practices act in the handling Of
the report of the anti-Smith Demo-
cratic Campaign Committee. But this
did not cause Miss Burroughs to waiver