The Washington times., 1914-06-16
INQUIRY WILL BARE
MINE STOCKHOLDERS
Many Shares in Venture, BOOM
ed on Senate Stationery.
Said to Be Held Here.

An early report to the Senate in IA
vor Of the RESP, ion for an investisa-
ton into the use of Senate stationery in
promoting the Gold Hill Consolidated
Company. of Gold Hill, n. c., is expected
to be made by the Committee on Contin-
| gent Expenses. The resolution for an
investigation. which was introduced
/ by Senator Overman. after Senator La
Toilette had threatened TO introduce II,
| was referred TO this committee.
Talk was current today that an ef-
| fort would be made to balk an investi-
cation, but the belief is that the in
| vestigstion will be ordered. Any at
tempt to stop It will result in a sharp
controversy in the Senate. and if there
| should be a roll call. a majority of the
Senate undoubtedly would go on record
for an inquiry.
One result of the investigation. whicS
will be by a special committee, is likely
to be a disclosure of the list of stock
holders. 1t is reported some Of the
House members have stock, and that
the stock has been widely distributed
about Washington. A special Senate
committee would be able to develop the
truth or untruth OF such gossip.
Senators Deny Responsibility.
Senator overman, in remarks he
made in the Senate when no intro
duced the resolution, admitted own
ing 81, 900 OF the stock, but fatty de-
MED any responsibility for use OF
stationery of the Rules Committee or
the Census Committee in circulating
copies Of a letter written by J. c.
Williams. mining expert" who re-
ported to Senator Chiffon the Gold
S60 000 ono
Senator Chiffon admitted owning
stock, admitted sending j. c. VIII
liams to investigate the property, but
denied any responsibility for the cir
culation of the Williams letter. Both
Senators Overman and Chiffon said.
in effect, that subordinates were re-
sponsible for this, having been asked
TO make copies of the Williams letter
by Walter George Newman, promoter
Of the mine.
Information has reached Washington
that z. c. Gregory, of Salisbury, n. c.,
son-in-law of Senator Overman, is a
director of the Gold Hill Consolidated
Company, and that Arthur Kenna,
nephew OF Senator Chiffon. is manager
of the mine.
Statement by Comptroller.
Comptroller Of the Currency John
skelton Willians issued a statement in
which he said:
THE insinuation that the Treasury
Department. or anyone connected with
II, has taken any part whatever IN the
exploitation of a mining enterprise In
the South, or has exercised any favor
itism in investigating such an enterprise
is wholly unjustifed and without foun-
dation.
Some six o. eight months ago, when
was Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury, in charge of fiscal bureaus, in
Guiding the mint. Mr.. Newman, VINO was
neither an old schoolrnate For an inti-
mate friend, but who came to the de-
and experience in mining |
called at the department and |
requested that the assay office o. Char |
lotte, n. c., which had been closed for |
less than 4 year, be reopened for the |
purpose OF handling the bullion of a |
gold mine in which he was interested.
II referred him 10 the Director OF the |
Mint, sxho felt justified in sending an |
employe OF the Office to North Carolina !
that the business of the mine would |
justify compliance with Mr.. Ncwnans |
request He reported that the property |
was not sufficiently developed 10 Justify |
the recpening CT the assay office, and |
the petitioner was so informed. The in |
spection, which was made by the Off |
Ger of the Director of the Mint, was |
made on the request of the president Of |
tile mining company, and rot at the in
United States Senator, CT for any other
official.
'I know nothing Of J. e. Williams
mining geologist, who is alleged to have
made an examination OF the property;
In fact, 1 never heard of him.