"As far as I um aware Fleming has not proved his charges against Judge Lobingier,' said Mr. Stirling Fessenden on Monday to x representative of the "North-China Daily News."
Acquainted with a mass of facts relating to the litigation. out of which Mr. W. S. Fleming, partner in the firm of Fleming, Davies and Bryan, based many of his allegations against Judge Lobingier, and in virtue of being the senior member of the local American bar, Mr. Tessenden's presence was required at the Washington inquiry. He regretted that he could not at present go beyond the above interesting statement.
"You sec," said Mr, Fessenden, "up to the present no news of a decision has reached me. I left Washington at the end of February, when nothing was known about the case. It was arranged that I was immediately to be informed by' cable of the decision, but nothing has so far transpired."
imagine that Judge Lobingier will remain in Washington until a decision has been reached. There is, however, nothing to compel him to remain there. The Government was willing to let him return to China."
Pracs Hunters ar Work.
At the outset it was officially decided to let no political consideration interfere with the conduct of the examination. There had, however, been a change of administration recently. With the large number of place hunters, influence of this nature might succeed in removing an important official from his post.
Approximately 40 witnesses were heard, which included in addition to Mr. Fessenden himself, Mr. J. Harold Dollar, Mr. J. B. Powell, Mr. Leonard Everett, Mr. Thomas Millard, and Mr. R. C. Patterson.
The inquiry was conducted by the Assistant Attorney and another official was appointed to review the whole case. He was to file a report and the ultimate finding would rest with the Attorney-General. When the Department of Justice had rendered their decision, it would go to Secretary of State Hughes. The Attorney General's finding would also go direct to President Harding.
"The Government did not accept the original charges lodged by Mr. Fleming." said Mr. Fessenden "Afterwards specific charges were filed. The proceedings were private."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.