New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-04
Controller of Currency
Brought Gold Hill Mine
Men Together.
NO INTEREST IN
PROPERTY, HE SAYS
Senate Investigators Hear New.
mans Story of Efforts to
Make Mine Pay.


Washington, July 3. The part play
ed by John SHELTON Williams, Con-
troller Of the Currency in the trans
actions relating to the Gold Hill mine,
which was doomed on the official sta
tionery Of two committees of the Sem
ate, was disclosed at the hearing before
the Senate investigating committee to-
day.
Despite the fact that Mr.. Williams,
in a statement issued Immediately
after the disclosure Of the methods
used in booming Gold Hill. indicated
that he had taken only a perfunctory
official interest in the mine when it
was called TO his attention, the testi-
mony to-day showed that he and his
brother. W. Berkley Williams. were
present at a meeting i'm his Office in
the Treasury, with Walter G. Newman
and Hcnnen Jennings, Washington
capitalist and mining engineer. Mr.
Williams admitted that he advised
Newman to have Jennings look over
the mine.
~ arranged for Mr.. Jennings 10
meet Mr. Newman in my Office" said
Mr.. Williams. who insisted that he had
no interest whatever in Gold Hill.
"Mr. Dewey was called in and deemed
il best that Mr. Jennings be informed
OF his report"
This report was that the mine had
not been sufficiently developed TO JUS
tify the opening Of an assay Office in
he vicinity.
Three weeks later. Newman testified.
he was advised By Mr. Williams over
the telephone TO call on II. {. Per
kins. an associate Of MIR. Jennings in
mining enterprises. At this meeting.
Newman said. Perkins Indicated a de-
sire to purchase control Of Gold Hill,
but the offer was rejected Newman
also said that he had correspOnded
with John SHELTON Williams ard Berk-
ley Williams concerning the mine.
Newman. the promoter of Gold Hill
who discussed the property with Sena-
tors in the Presidents room at the
Capitol. made an emotional witness
There were tears in his eyes and his
voice trcmbled at times when he told
Of his efforts 10 put the mine on 4
paying basis. He denied that he had
any thought Of using the Senate sta
tionery for any advantage it might af-
ford in inspiring confidence in the rep
reservations concerning the value Of
the property.
The witness said that he talked 10
Senator'S Swanson and Martin in addi-
tion to Senator'S Chiffon and Overman.
He had been introduced 10 Senator
Pomercnc. he testified. by General
Jacob s. CoXey on train going 10
Chicago.
In telling Of his own and his
brothers effort to develop the mnc,
NJ. Newman said:
"My brother saw things going 10
pieces, and he took five sticks of dyna-
mite and blew himself into ten thou
sand pieces. lie left a letter saving
his lfe's work was gone. He said
North Carolina was the richest state in
the Union. When | heard that | took
oath I'd never lot go that property till
proved his statement or went the way
he went"
George +. Roberts. Director OF the
Mint Bureau. testified that he sent f.
{. Dewey, government assayer, to cx-
anime the property after talks win
Newman and John SHELTON Williams 10
determine if the production were sun
cient TO reopen the sssay Office at Char.
lCtte, y. c.