Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-12-27
Corruption In Mississippi
Politics Exposed By
BilbO Quiz Witnesses
BY LOUIS LAUTIER

20 NNANI n - ut ~" hbaAlh
ard of moral conduct in poll
tics and church in Mississippi
was thoroughly aired before
the Senate war investigating
committee which has been probing
into charges that Senator Theo.
dore q. Bilbo aided Mississippi
contractors 10 obtain Army con-
tracts and accepted gratuitiss from
them.
Forrest Jackson, Bilbo's attor-
ney, last Tuesday gave his version
Of the conference no, Bilbo and
Robert Candy, q Bilbo hsnchman,
had with Ross Collins. former Mis-
aissippi Representative, who IL one
Of those responsible for Bilbo's be-
ing brought 10 judgment by his
Senate colleagues.
The conference was held follow
ing the Mississippi white Demo-
cratic primary Of 1910. In which
Mr.. Collins was eliminated. It's
purpose was TO get Mr.. Collins
and his organization 10 support
the candidacy Of Wall DoEsy. now
Senate Aergsant-at-arms, In q run.
Of primary against Senator James
o. EaatlRnd.
Mr.. Jackson testified that when
BilbO asked Mr.. Collins 10 sup
port Doxsy. Mr.. Collins told
Isllbo he had lied al over Mis-.
sIsslppl about him and he would
Issue . statement 10 the press
but refused 10 let Bllbo see the
statement before Its publication.
Nothing was said In Mr.. Collins
presence about any consideration,
but Mr.. Jackson said Mr.. Collins
told the group that any other mat
tiers relative 10 the activities Of
his organisation In the run-oR pri-
mary were 10 be taken up with
Cecil Travis, his campaign man
aEsr.
Earlier testimony was 10 the o..
feet that Travis had been paid
$1,000 10 swing the support Of
the Collins organisation TO Mr..
DoHsy. Mr.. Jackson testified that
hls recollection Of the deal was con.
trary 10 that Of Travis. lie said
the understanding was that Travis
had spent In the frst primary In
support Of Mr.. Collins candidacy
about 1880 and that the additional
$500 was necessary 10 pay ten
men $3.50 each 10 work In the sec
ond primary.
Mr.. Travis had told the commit
tee that the $1,000 was TO finance
work In the run-ofY primary and
Mr.. Collins had no operating def
Gle" from his campaign.
slow do you get around the Mis-.
aisnlppi corrupt practices act by
collecting moro than can be legally
spent for any one campaign :"
Senator Homer Ferguson. Republi.
can. Of Michigan, asked Mr., Jack.
son.
"Under the act itself," Mr., Jack.
son replied, 1--WE can spend $4,000"
"Why didn't you make u return
under the corrupt practices Rctf"
Senator Ferguson asked.
because We don't 40 understand
that n return IL required" Mr.,
Jackson replied,
Under Mr.. Jackson'a interprctA
ton Of the Mississippi corrupt
practices act a candidate may have
on the outside thousands Of com,
mItteea expending hundreds al
thousands Of dollars and none Of
these committees except the eandi'
dates small official committee
would have 60 make a return.
"What good Ia an act like that 7"
Senator Ferguson asked.
II don't think II l. any good,
Mr.. Jackson replied, Its like the
Hatch Act"
The unofficial committee which
aided Mr.. Doxey's campaign and
which consisted Of Bilbo, Jackson
and Candy IL the group to which
Bilbo claims he turned over so, OOC
In contributions he received from
war contractors. The $1,000 pay,
msnt 20 Mr., Travis was said to be- 4
part Of the disbursements mad,
from this $4,000 slush fund,
Mr. Jackson also testified that
he gave Edward Terry Bilbo''
former secretary. q check for sl.l0C
that Terry claimed was due him foI
expenses he had incurred In con,
nection with Bilbo's campaign IL
1910. Mr.. jackson said he alsC
gave Mr.. Terry other sums Of
money which the latter clAimeC
were needed to pay BilbO's otfie'
expenses.
ibid you ever tell Senator BilbC
that Ed Terry called ON you to pay
telephone and telegraph bills foi
Bilbof 2" asked Senator Ferguson,
"a Man Doesn't Tslf'
"a man doesn't tell q man Of tbs
wronRdoinRs Of his wife or hii
confidential secretary" replied Mr.
Jackson,
Senator Ferguson told Mr., Jack
son he could understand the rea
son for the first part Of his state
ment, but asked him 10 explain tn,
second part, emphasizing that tbs
reason he was giving for not telling
Bilbo his secretary was dishonest
was that he. Jackson. was a man
Mr.. Jackson also told how he
Terry, Robert N. Newton. a banker
Of Poplarville, Mississippi, and
Grant Stewart came TO pay the note
for $1,000 which Bilho owed Abe