Evening star., 1938-07-31
SHELLEY GUARDS
PLANS ON EARLE
Three Moves Are Possible,
but He Refuses to
Discuss Them.
nv the Associated Press.

nv the ASSOClAteQ fTeSS.
HARRISBURG, Pa, July 30.-Dis-
trict Attorney Carl B. Shelley, stripped
by Pennsylvania Democratic-con-
trolled Legislature of power to conduct
a grand jury investigation Of charges
against Gov. George H. Earle and 10
associates, kept secret tonight any
plans for fighting back.
The Governor signed four bills
passed at dawn in special session
blocking Dauphin County grand Jury
investigation OF his little New Deal"
administration and transferring the
inquiry to the Legislature.
Shelley At Office Briefly.
Mr., Shelley made only a brief visit
to his ONCE today. He refused to
discuss his plans, but aides listed as
possible next moves:
/. An appeal to the Dauphin County
Court for an order restraining the
legislation.
2. A request to Judge Paul N.
Schaeffer, assigned to the case by the
Supreme Court, for an order to pro-
ceed with the grand jury inquiry on
August as scheduled
3. Refusal to submit evidence to a
legislative committee which is to be
designated to conduct the inyestiga-
ton.
Four Earle Acts,
The four Earle acts suspended the
grand jury inquiry; set up q legis-
lative investigation with the power
OF subpoena; established the legisla-
ture as the only body with authority
to investigate civil officers subject to
impeachment, and gave the attorney
general, appointed by the Governor,
the right to supersede a district at
torney in cases where civil officers
were accused Of misconduct.
The charges against the Governor
and associates-many voiced in Penn
sylvania's bitter spring primary CAM
palgn-included conspiracy to cheat
and defraud the commonwealth, to
extort money and levy blackmail and
to engage In corrupt solicitation"
Gov. Earle, Pennsylvania's first
Democratic Governor in almost half
century, pressed his program to pas
sage on the contention that the
Republican machine" sought to con-
duct its fall campaign around secret
grand jury investigation by the Re-
publican district attorney (Shelley)
He called for an open investigation"
by the Legislature.
Few Leaders in Capital,
A few Democratic leaders remained
IN the capital to map the program
for their inquiry to start after a
special committee of five Democrats
and two Republicans is appointed
Tuesday. Most of the sleepy-eyed
legislators returned to their homes S
after an all-night session which
ended a whirlwind week.
Judge Schaeffer said he would open
court for the inquiry here August 8
as scheduled and hear anything that
might be presented.
Former Attorney General Charles
j. Margiotti. who made many charges
in his unsuccessful bid for the Demo-
cratic gubernatorial nomination in
May, withheld comment. He was
dismissed by Gov. Earle after he
refused to make public any evidence
to support his charges-holding out
for grand jury inquiry. He gave
his information to Mr.. Shelley.
Wants Charges in Open.
Before calling the. special session.
Gov. Earle repeatedly demanded that
Mr.. Shelley swear out warrants if
he had evidence of wrongdoing. The
Governor said his only purpose was to
force the charges into the open. ="
The key measure transferring the
inquiry from the grand jury to the
Legislature contained a provision that
permits evidence presented at the
House hearing to be repeated later
before grand jury.
However. Representative Ellwood
Turner. Republican floor leader in the
House. asserted the Earle program
was designed to hamstring and delay
and ultimately defeat" the grand jury
investigation