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In estimating her testimony it must be taken into account that she is one of several legatees under her ex-husband's will—the Daughertys are among the others—and she is at present contesting for a larger share in the division of the estate. Her lawyer for a time was one of the arch-political-enemies of Attorney General Daugherty. It was reported that she attempted indirectly to sell her story to the press— but without success.
On the witness stand her principal testimony was in regard to things that her ex-husband had told her. Mr. Howland, attorney for Mr. Daugherty, objected that this was hearsay testimony and not admissable. Senator Wheeler said that he thought quotations from a dead man should be allowed as evidence.
Mr. Howland: "And you have been admitted to the bar!"
Senator Wheeler: "Yes and I have tried as many cases as you have. . . . There isn't going to be any bulldozing of this inquiry. . . . We won't take your petty small abuse. You will have every courtesy."
Mr. Howland: "Scant courtesy so far."
Senator Ashurst: "Some people don't know what courtesy is!"
Thereupon Miss Stinson went on to relate that her ex-husband had told her of having received with the Attorney General gifts of stock and cash for permitting interstate transportation of the Dempsey-Carpentier fight films, etc. She said, when he went to Washington, his property was worth $150,000 to $175,000 and that he denied his estate was worth $250,000. He had had no business in the meantime, but she insisted that he had steadily improved his fortune, although he was an unsuccessful stock speculator, after going to Washington.
"She is an angry woman, . . . a disappointed woman . . . a malicious woman" commented the Attorney General afterward.
Gaston B. Means. The former agent of the Department of Justice described himself as follows when questioned by Senator Wheeler:
Q.—What was your early training? A.—First I went to school as a child, and prepared for college.
Q.—Mr. Means, did you ever attend college? A.—I did, the University of North Carolina.
Q.—And have you ever been convicted of felony? A.—I have been accused of every crime in the catalogue, but not convicted so far. I have never been convicted, but have been charged with every known crime. Oh, I have been convicted once or twice for minor fights.
Q.—How was that? A.—I have been in the Mayor's court for hitting some fellow, or some fellow hitting me, and licking me, perhaps, or otherwise, or something like that, but I never called that anything.
Q.—What is your business at the present time. A.—Answering indictments.