Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-03
VAGUE AND EVASIVE.
OwENBY'S TESTIMONY ABOUT THE
SILVER POOL.
He Knows as Little as the Rest-Congress-
man Taylor Bought Bullion but Not as
a Member Of Any Combine. Il!

w ASHINGTOS, req. Ill the SILVER
pool investigation today, Senator Abner
Taylor, Of Illinois, testified that he had
bought on margin, in last July and
August, 40 900 ounces of silver, and sold
it at profit. He wished it put on rec
ord, however, that the purchase was
made after the silver bill had become a
law. He has not bought any silver
since.
Congressman Taylor said he did not
know of any senator or other represen-
tative having bought silver. Witness
did not buy any silver before the law
went into effect, nor while the legisla-
tion was pending. He had dealt some
in wheat since he had been in congress.
He had after consultation with the
president, secretary of the treasury, and
director of the mint (by whom it was
approved), introduced bill at the be-
ginning of the present session, looking
to the purchase OF the $4,000, 900 ounces
of surplus silver bullion in the United
States. He did not hold al ounce of
silver at the time, and did not before
the introduction OF the bill have any
conference with any supposed to own
silver.
Representative Clunie, of California,
testified that he never dealt in silver,
and did not know any senator or repre-
sentative who had.
James A. Owenby was sworn. He re-
sided, he said, in New York, but spent
most Of his time in Washington. His
business last year was that of broker.
He handled all sorts OF securities. and
when he had an opportunity, dealt in
silver. His original business was min
ing. He had desk room in the Office OF
Wells, Fargo & Co., in New York.
Payne asked if witness had talked
with Stevens, correspondent Of the
Globe-D e-Democrat, about a silver pool.
Witness-I probably have used the
word ''pool'' in speaking of parties in
conversation about silver. l had some
knowledge of differeut parties who be-
lieved were engaged in silver trading,
but of an organized pool. don't believe
l did.
He had seen accounts upon the books
of Wells, Fargo & Co. Witness was
asked lumber OF questions to find out
if any names OH the books were those of
senator's or representatives. He evaded
these questions, and volunteered the
suggestion that the committee should
have experts examine the books of
Wells, Fargo Il Co.
During this testimony, witness at one
time asked if his questioner meant
''books of any bank" Payne wanted to
know after while what witness meant
by the question, and finally learned that
he referred to the books of ]. M. Donald,
cashier Of the Hanover national bank,
and Of Hall, assistant cashier.
Owenby was asked ii on any OF these
books was the name of any senator or
representative, and after considering
the question a while he replied that
Donald had once picked up letter
while they were canvassing the silver
situation, and said: tThat man is in
it; know what he will do.''. =
Payne-He mentioned name, did
he?
Owenby-You are very anxious to
have me mention that, are you? Yes;
l will state positively it was senator's
name. z
AS an excuse for not being able to
give information with regard to other
questions asked, Owenby said the in
formation was in his books. The books
referred to his private affairs, and
he would not state how they
could be obtained unless COM
PEELED to do so. He was doing
business in Chicago, and was interes ed
with the firm of Field, Weicher& King.
Their business was Of personal nature
and it would probably be detrimental to
the firm to state where the books, ac-
counts and stocks were kept. He did
not remember what was in the books,
and did not want to. ,9
Other questions brought out the fact
that outside these books witness had in
trunk and other receptacles memor-
anda relating to silver speculations. A
deputy sergeant-at-arms had brought
him to Washington in such hurry that
he forgot all about the papers in his
trunk.
Adjourned.