The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-06-16
BOOST GOLD MINE
ON j. S. SENATE
STATIONARY
Stock Promoters Used Govern
ment Letter Heads
SENATOR OveRMAR WORRIED
Senator Says Young Woman steno-
erapher Used Committees Paper
70 Make Copies

Washington. June 1.-THE way
was opened in the Senate yesterday
for an investigation OF the use OF Sen
ate stationary and the alleged employ
ment Of government officials in con-
nection with the promotion Of
North Carolina gold mine. Senator
Oyerman of North Carolina. one OF
those mentioned in connection
with the mine. introduced a
resolution calling for such an inquiry
and II was approved by Senator Chill
ton OF West Virginia, another senator
whose name figured in the same way.
The resolution was referred without
debate to the committee on cohtn-
gent expenses and probably will oe
reported for action within a few days
There is little doubt that 1t will be
agreed TO without opposition.
The call for an investigation came
as a result OF a report published yes
terday. declaring there had appeared
I'm the Offices of New York brokers,
letters boosting the mine OF the Gold
Hin Consolidated company, written
on stationary of the Senate commit
tee on rules. OF which Mr.. Overman
is chairman. and OF the committee on
census. of which Mr.. Chiffon is chair
man. The letter on the census com
mittee stationary was addressed to
Senator Chiffon and signed by J. C..
Williams an economic and mining en-
gineer. The other letter was said to
be Identical
According TO the public report. the
chief expert of the United States as
say office was sent TO investigate the
mine by Controller of the Currency.
John Shelton Williams several
months ago. when Mr.. Williams was
assistant secretary OF the treasury.
What purported 10 be reproductions
OF the letters appeared. carrying the
names OF all senators on the commit.
tee. as do all such letterheads. This
disturbed several of the members Of
the committees and Senator LaFol-
let.e of Wisconsin prepared a resolu-
ton identical with that introduced
later by Mr.. Oyerman announcing
that II no one else introduced IL he
would.
Senators Oyerman and Chiffon
made statements in connection with
the affair. Both said they were inter
ested in the Gold Hin company. but
denied any knowledge of the Senate
stationary to boost it. Senator Over
man said q young woman in his office
had made copies of the letter on rules
committee paper at the request OF
Walter George Newman, said to be
promoter of the mine. and Senator
Chiffon said that Williams, the engin.
Ger. went to his Office and got his
clerk TO make copies on census com
mite paper
while there is no reflection upon
me in the articles" said Senator Oy-
erman. II want to introduce a resolu-
ton for an Investigation of the maj.
ter because some might say there is
a reflection. Now there have been
just four copies of this letter made in
my office by lady clerk. When
was absent Newman asked her to
make some copies of the letter. and.
| believing that there was no harm in
her doing so. she made the copies
| just as she had done typetwriting for
others that had come in and asked
nor that favor.
| IL know nothing more in the world
about the selling of this stock. | new
or asked anybody to buy any stock
and never tried to sell any OF it. do
know something about this mine. II
| is in my county. Before the war at
one time it was the largest gold pro
| Queer in the United States. An as.
| say office was established at Char.
lotte. N c., to test the gold from it.
Then the mine was flooded. Some
time ago Newman, whom | know moth
ing about. went down there and UNI
| wateeed it and cross-cut. He said
that by prosecuting he had found a
vein that had been lost. And right
here want to say that the assay Of
fice shows that s5,OOO,OOO had been
taken out of the mine. In view of
what knew Of the mine and of what
Newman reported l invested $4,000 in
the stock. have done nothing on
Gods earth to promote it in any
| way"