South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-03
STARTED PROBE OF
THE STEEL COMBINE
Says Getting a Resolution In
trOduCed in Congress is as
Easy as Taking Candy From
a Baby.

WASHINGTON, July "A sweep
ing investigation Of the lobbying
charges made by Martin NJ. MulhaIl.
involving members of the house. will
be authorized by the house probably
on Saturday. After two hours of
heated discussion Wednesday the
house referred the matter TO the rules
committee with Instructions to report
out a resolution giving the committee
broad inqulsitOrial powers TO probe
the matter.
Chairman Henry called a meeting of
the rules committee for Thursday
morning to begin the work of framing
the resolutions.
WASHINGTON, July "A story of
misrepresen entation, imperSonatiOn of
public men, and organized effort TO
influence Wall st. financiers, proba-
bly, without parallel in the history of
congressional investigation, was un-
folded today before the senate lobby
committee.
a prosperous looking, self-pOssessed
individual, calling himself David La
mar Of New York, self-described as an
operator in stocks" and admittedly
the bearer OF several assumed names
was the principal in the remarkable
session.
He telephoned 10 financial men and
lawyers in the names OF Rep. Palmer
and Rep. Riordan. He assumed the
guise of Chairman McCombS Of the
democratic national committee, to
telephone Chairman Hilles of the re-
publican national committee.
Louis Cass Ledyard of New York,
counsel for the Morgan firm, was one
OF his attempted victims. MIR. Led
yard came TO the witness stand We'd
nesday armed with almost a verbatim
account of all the conversations held
with Lamar. who had represented
himself as Congressman Palmer. AS
he read the record of the cOnversa-
tions, In themselves unusual in their
tone. Lamar, sitting nearby, laughed
and nodded, saying, that's right" and
slapping his leg with apparent enjoy
msnt.
The purpose of his fmpersonations.
Lamar contended, was to secure rein
statement for his friend. Edward Lau-
terbach, in the good graces Of the
Morgan firm.
To Appear Today.
Members of the committee We'd
nesday night demanded that Lamar
remain in Washington for reappear-
ance Thursday. Edward Lauterbach,
who recently testified before the com
mittee. was recalled from New York
by telegraph Wednesday night; and
Henry =. Martin, a local man who
has figured as head of the Antitrust
league" was also subpenaed TO ap-
pear.
Lamar declared he prepared the
resolution for the Stanley investiga-
tion of the Steel trust. that it was
given TO Martin, who gave II to Con-
gresham Stanley subsequently he
said, il was introduced in the house
of representatives by Mr.. Stanley with
but few technical changes" from
its original form.
Paul ID Cravath, one Of the attor-
neys for the Union Pacific, and Max
we'll Evarts. counsel for the Southern
Pacific, testified briefly 10 their ex-
periences with the telephone imper-
senator. During his testimony early
in the day, Lamar interJected an at
tack upon the Union Pacific, claiming
there had been a defalcatiOn in the
books of the company in 1901 by
which nearly $50, goo had disap-
peared from its surplus.
Mr. Cravath Immediately denied
this, terming Lamar a liar a char
acteriZation which the committee in
sisted should be withdrawn. Cravath
declared the attack had been expected
for several days. as part of the bear
raid 20 depresS the value OF the stock
for speculative purposes.
While Lamar was on the stand,
Chairman Overman endeavOred to
make him give his real name, but the
witness refused. He admitted under
Overman'S questioning. that he had
been in Denver under the name of
David II. Lewis but denied he had
used the name Of Simon Wolfe He
said Lamar was not his name, but
declined TO give the committee further
information.
The last subject touched upon was
the preparation OF the resolution for
an investigation Of the Steel trust by
congress.
You do not mean 10 say YOU could
introduce a resolution in congress 2''
inquired Sen. Cummins.
Why that Is just as easy as TAX
ing candy from a baby" replied La
mar.
He said he prepared the resolution
because he was tired of the persecu-
tion OF him because OF his opposition
20 Steel corporation plans. lie said
ne did not send Lauterbach TO Nor
gan and Steel people with informa-
ton that the resolution was In his
possession. but Lauterbach went on
his own accord, after pleading with
Lamar 20 allow bisn Just one more
opportunity 10 heal the breach be-
tween the Morgan interests and La
mar
''Dou't you appreciate that the or
dinary inference from this would be
that you were trying 10 blackmail
them ?" asked Sen. Walsh.
TIE conversations with the men
would show that was not my object"
was the reply.