June 28th, 1919.

My dear Mr. Daniels:-

I thank you for your letter of June 24th. I had this investigation made by Mr. H. B. Varner, Mr. W. M. Sanders, and Mr. Shelton, three as good men as we have in the State. The evidence was of such a character that no woman could have been present, not even a stenographer. I have not had time to go over the typewritten evidence myself, but accepted the findings of fact by these gentlemen as I am entirely willing to trust them with any matter of the greatest importance. However, I will read over the evidence at the first opportunity.

I am not aware of any law that gives the Department of Justice any jurisdiction over the management of the State Prison of North Carolina. Of course if I am shown any law that confers upon the Department of Justice jurisdiction over our State Prison I shall, as a good citizen, recognize that law, otherwise I shall treat any movement by the Department as pernicious interference with a matter that does not concern it.

There is not a more humane superintendent of a prison in the United States than J. R. Collie. Practically every prisoner on the roll would fight for him. My own attitude towards prisoners has caused me to be denounced by preachers in the State as a sentimental ninny.

My understanding is that this man Dudding is an ex-convict himself, and I do not consider him competent to review the findings made by men of the very loftiest integrity.

Sincerely yours,

[unsigned]

Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.