The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-26
Lovett Tells How At
torney Is Urged
Upon Him.
STORY INVOLVES
CONGRESSMAN
Persons, Representing Them
selves to Be Riordan, of New
York, and Other Political
Leaders, Telephone, Seek
ing to Induce Employ
rnent of Lobbyist.
Especial to The rimes-Dispatch ]

-
Washington. June 26.-Judge Rob-
ert Scott Lovett, chairman Of the exc
cutive board OF the Union Pacific Rail-
road, electrified the Overman lobby in
quiry committee tonight by declaring
that men representing themselves to
De Representative D. j. Riordap, of
New York. and others. had called him
by telephone from Washington to ad-
wise the en>oloyment of Edward Lau-
'erbacn' New York attorney, as an
agent to influence legislation in Wash
ington. and TO ward off a resolution
condemning the proposed dissolution
plan for the Union Pacihc's Railroad
Judge Lovctt said he had no proof
mat the man who called him by tele-
phone was Representative Riordan but
ne had a personal interview with I.au-
terbacn
Thinks IL Conspiracy.
There was conspiracy to compel
US TO pay big fee TO some one" de-
clared Judge Lovett. "and a part Of this
cons piracy was a newspaper campaign
to arouse antagonism to us in Con-
grcss. 1t was when the reports were
printed that l gave out my intervie -
The Union Pacihc-S Southern Pacific
dissolution involves the disposition OF
s126 010, 900 Of securities
Otto II. Kuhn. of Kuhn. Loeb & Co.
was later approa ched: said Judge Low
EFT, and other matters than the railroad
reorganization were mentioned as those
on which influences might be excrted
one OF these was the reopening of the
money trust" investigations II was
intimated that Representative Henry
might he influenced. Judge Lovett said
he paid no attention to this. as he had
known Representative Henry for many
years. and did not doubt his honesty
and sincerity. One man also telc-
phoned Lewis Cass Ledyard along the
same lines. Ledyard found this man
was not a member OF Congress. AL
though he represented himself to be .
who was that man. demanded SEN
ator Overman.
II think YOU had better ask Mr.. Led
yard. replied Judge Lovett. His
identity was we'll established. although
by circumstantial evidence"
Senator Walsh asked what was
meant by common banking control"
Judge Lovett said that there was some
erroneous newspaper talk along this
line. but that he presumed il referred
TO a deep laid plot" by Kuhn, Loeb &
Co. to obtain control of the Pennsyl-
vania. Union Pacific. Southern Pacific
and Baltimore and Ohio Railroads.
Reports of this kind said Judge Low
EFT, would tend to build up belief
in the public mind that the bankers
were endeavoring to evade the Supreme
Court decree that the Union Pacific
and Southern Pacific should not be un-
der common control. These reports
which Judge Lovett said he believed
were inspired to provoke hostility to-
ward the railroads. might result, il was
feared. in the introduction of resolu-
tion in Congress condemning the disso-
luton scheme now pending before the
Department of Justice. Judge Lovett
nrSt these reDOrtS lima IN
the following day he gave out the in
terview which aroused the curiosity of
Senator Norris. On June 16 Lauterbach
called upon him.
There have been no calls since my
statement" said Judge Lovett I'm
portunities to employ counsel In wash
ington to influence the dissolution
plan extended over a period of three
months or more.
The hrst telephone call from the
Continued On Third Page)