“FUNNY BUSINESS”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 14 November 1927, Page 8

“FUNNY BUSINESS”

JURY-TAMPERINC INQUIRIES. NEW SENSATIONAL ASPECTS. Washington, Nov. 13. What. Government officials declared to be one of the most sordid chapters in the history of American justice was disclosed to-day, when the oil jury-tampering investigation revealed new sensational aspects. One of Burns’ agents, a former army man with a good record, had been employed spying on the jury, and, finding it distasteful, decided to ask the advice of some man in public life. He is a Pennsylvanian, and, learning that Governor Pinchot ol that State was in Washington, called on him and told him that “funny business” was occurring. Governor Pinchot advised the agent to reveal the facts to the Government counsel, Mr. Roberts, who suggested that the agent continue his duties and report back to him all that was occurring. It is now disclosed, from this agent’s evidence before the Grand Jury to-day, that the detective agency’s allegations that the Government had been tampering with the jury were false, and that the agency, when the jury-tampering was discovered, introduced much false evidence before the Grand Jury to clear itself and its detectives, and afterwards boasted that the Government “was running round in circles and getting nowhere.”—(A. and N.Z.)