New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-01
THINK MONEY INQUIRY
DID NOT HURT MORGAN
FinanCier. However, Was Not
Physically Strong When Be-
fore the PulO Committee.
SAID THEN HE WAS WELL
Did Not Permit Himself To Be
Harassed by Investigators
and Skilfully Parried
Counsels Questions.
From The Tribune Buroaul


Washington March eli Pierpont
Morgan's last visit to Washington was as
a witness before the PujO money trust
investigating committee i'm December last
Even casual observers at that time noted
the failing physical condition of the great
Gnancier. and those who had attended the
hearing two months before. when ne APP
pcared before the Senate campaign
funds investigating committee, whs-
oered among themselves concerning his
changed demeanor
The report that Mr.. Morgan death was
FASTENED by his ordeal before the PuJO
committee is not however. generally
credited here. During his two days on
the witness stand Mr.. Morgan seemed AT
all times the master Of himself although
his manner was not as vigorous as IL
had been He did not permit himseH
TO be harasscd by the Pujo inquirers. Tie
married questions with the committee
counsel. and when the examination was
over he shook hands with the members
of the committee. thanked them for their
consideration. and assured them 1t had
been privilege to appear and tell Wha'
he know Of the world of nigh finance
While Nh Morgan seemed to be yiei"lls
to the infrmitics of age at the time He
appeared before the money trust com
mittcc. his mental faculties were as alert
as ever. and il was worth while 20 near
the epigrams that fell from his lips nnder
the proddng of the committees counsel
A flash OF the Morgan Of old. for IN
stance. was seen when he leaned forward
in the witness chair and said:
Il know men who could come into my
Office and get check for million when
I know they hadn't cent. The man /
could not trust could not get money from
me If he had all the bonds in Christen-
dom. Credit depends on the man
One of His Epiarans.
Again the master fnancier declared:
Nobody has what YOU can call "a money
trust and there is no way one man can
get monopoly or control of money"
During his examination Mr.. Morgan
gave some indication of his realization
that a change had overtaken him when
lie said:
Il want TO get little closer TO you.
Mr.. Counsel. 1 am getting deaf as l am
getting old"
ness about which Mr.. Morgan didn't
know" when the Pujo inquirers were hot
on the trail of the money trust. Like
Andrew Carnegie. who appeared before
tho Stanley Steel investigating committee,
Mr. Morgan was forced to tell his In
quisitors that my partners attended to
that: ! can't carry all these small things
in my head"
Sure Hearing Didn't Affect Him.
Hearing that friends of Mr.. Morgan
had indirectly criticised the Pujo com.
mittee for subjecting him 10 long ex-
animation. Representative Neeley. OF
Kansas. one of the members OF the Pujo
committee. said to-day
"Our committee showed Mr.. Morgan
every possible courtesy and. for man
of his age. he appeared TO be in splendid
condition. both physically and mentally.
His ability 10 parry questions that he
would rather not answer, his ready wit
and frequent sallies with counsel i'm
pressed the committee with his very un-
usual ability. and was a decided change
from the examinations of other wit
nesses.
Il remember when counsel had mis-
placed some data that he desired to use
in interrogating the banker, and sug-
gested a recess for few moments, stat
ing that Mr. Morgan might desire few
minutes relaxation, the witness smilingly
answered that he was feeling very fine
and preferred to continue the examina-
ton,
AT the conclusion Of the examination
Mr. Morgan came up 10 the rostrum on
which the committee was seated. shook
hands with each member and rather pro-
fusely thanked us for the courtesy we
had shown him AT the same time he
assured us II had been pleasure TO offer
his testimony"