National Affairs: Too Late

Mr. Dawes was resting. The proceedings of the Senate had wearied him. The nomination of Charles B. Warren of Michigan to be Attorney General was under consideration. Senator Cummins of Iowa had begun a four hour speech defending the nominee. Senator Reed of Missouri and Senator Walsh* had each made a lengthly speech attacking Mr. Warren; the Vice President had been assured that there would be nothing but talk for the rest of the day.

So he left the Senate, turned the gavel over to President pro tempore Moses and retired up Pennsylvania Ave. to his rooms in the Willard Hotel. It was presumed that he was reclining en dé shabillé. He had telephoned to the Capitol twice during the afternoon to find out whether his presence was required and the answer had been: "No."

But, as he reclined, there came a telephone message to say that the Senate had sent out a call for a quorum. Mr. Dawes donned his clothes, went downstairs. He summoned a taxicab. The taxi was delayed in a traffic jam. It took eight minutes to reach the Capitol.

Senator Cameron of Arizona and his secretary were waiting outside. They seized the General by both arms and hurried him upstairs— but it was too late.

The Nomination. Some weeks ago, Mr. Coolidge nominated Charles B. Warren, former Ambassador to Japan and, until a few months ago, Ambassador to Mexico, to be Attorney General. There was argument in the Senate and Mr. Warren's nomination was the only one not acted on by the Senate of the 68th Congress before it adjourned on Mar. 4. Hence the nomination remained over for the new Senate to act upon.

The Argument. The opponents of Mr. Warren declared that he had been implicated in improper relations with the "Sugar Trust." Some 20 years ago, he acted as agent for the American Sugar Refining Co. in acquiring stock in a number of Michigan sugar refineries. Lately, he has been President of the Michigan Sugar Refining Co., a consolidation which came out of these companies later. Some years ago, the "Sugar Trust" was investigated by Congress. Senator Reed of Missouri and Senator Walsh had cross-examined Mr. Warren on that occasion. They brought up the former investigation in their speeches. Senator Reed was particularly bitter. Said he:

I trust that a sufficient number of Senators who have not been seduced to political apostasy by the family sap bucket, or gorged into stupefaction by buckwheat cakes and Vermont maple syrup, or lulled to moral insensibility by the melody of waves breaking against the prow of the Mayflower— I trust there are enough left to vote against delivering the Department of Justice into the hands of the Sugar Trust.

To appoint Charles Beecher Warren to enforce the trust laws against himself and his associates is as wicked as to appoint Albert Fall special prosecutor of Harry Sinclair. Fall could be bought. Warren is owned in advance.

Fall hoped to escape prosecution. Warren will be assured against punishment. Fall aided others to commit crime. Warren connived and assisted in the execution of crime. Fall's unlawful purpose was secret. Warren's corrupt practices are today known.