Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-02
The Investigation OF The Star.
HOW 1T GETS ITS NEWS.

The House Committee on the District OF
Columbia this morning resumed the inves.
tigation to ascertain how TIE EVENING
STAR obtained an advance copy of Judge
Buckner's views on District affairs.
VIM C. MdcBrtte, q reporter of THE STAR
WAS hrst called as q witness, and wa, ex
a.nined by Judge Hendee. He testified that
he knew Mr.. Whitney, the clerk of the G om-
mtttee, but declined to state whether or not
he had furnished THE STAR the report or
how 1t had been obtained.
Mr.. dendee.-The only reason why we de.
sire an answer is TO exculpate Mr.. Whitney
and the employ es OF the committee room.
The Witness.-While should like to ex-
culpate Mr.. Whitney, roy confidential rela-
tons to THE EvENING STAR newspaper
cOmpels me to reuse to answer where the
@. But Mr.. Whitney feels that he is enti-
tied to exoneratiOn, inasmuch as he thinks
he Is under the ban of suspicion.
A.. Well THE EVENING STAR has not cast
BY Judge Buckner:-Do 1 understand you
TO refuse to answer any question as to the
means by which you get information for
A.-Most enpbaticalIy. The getting of in
formation Is my capital in trade. Now,
we're 10 tell, upon The mere solicitation
Who gave me information, it would soon
clos all the avenues al essible for obtain
ng 1t, and IL would destroy that capital AMI
Very rapidly send myself TO the bottom OF
t1e ladder In Dy profession.
Mr. Crapo You say your source of informa-
ton is your stock in trade. 80 it is part OF
or dlshonoratly?
a., never get in formation in dishonora-
ole manner,
The witness was questioned at length, but
TO all interrogatories bearing on the question
IS TO how TIE STAR acQuirc1 It's report he
declined to make answer, for the res son tGat
exis,ip between newspaper and its sources
OF acquiring news. While he recognized and
appreciated the desire of Nj. Whitney
and Others to 1e sxSulPated he said Il
instance. the committee would direct
its irquiiy In other directions, and where
ne finally refused to answer-where the
there suspicion would fall, and posi-.
bly, and very probably upjustly. Now,
1.-THE STAR publishes anything against the
character OF an individual, 1t is willing to
defend 1T, If right, make the amende IL
u ID wrong, or disclose the source of Its
information. But in this instance character
was not assailed, no ones reputation was
with THE STAR where 1t got its report.
Mr.. Willard.-Are you not aware that the
premature publication of the document,
which was ordered sub rot a by the commit
affect the reputation OF every member Of the
committee, and Its employees?
Mr.. Crapo.-Yes, and who is to be the
Juage as 70 whether reputation has or has
A. Well: I'm this instance an the Judge.
Mr.. Silver. an employee, who wanted to
ton to the witness.
Q Did You get the report directly or indi-
rectly from me?
a; decline to answer that question, and 1
will state to the committee that my dec,ina-
ZION Ia one OF principle, which would apply
" were asked about any one miles away
from the committee room.
Q. You don't mean by refusing TO answer
In any particular case to implicate the per-
son about whom you are questioned?
A. By no manner OF means.
By Mr.. Hendee.-Did you get q copy OF
the report from any officer or employee OF
the House OF Representatives or from any
ing office?
A. must respectfully decline to answer
that question on the same general principle
with that above stated.
The committee then cleared the room for
consultation. After short session the sub
tect was postponed until Monday next.