South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-26
Names of Prominent Govern
ment Officials Are Men
toned in Connection With
Exchanges Near Panic.
LAWSON'S STATEMENT
MAY START SOMETHING
Hint That Other Leaks Are to
Come Anglers Officials.
Investigation AL
most Certain.
international News Service:

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. Dec ga sit
uation fun Of very serious POSSIBLE
tiles rapidly is developing as re-
suit OF last weeks near panic on
the stock exchange in New York.
Followed as IT was by a demand
from Rep. William Wood Of Lafay-
cite. Ind, for a complete investiga-
ton OF an alleged leak in high Of
fetal quarters" gossip became very
free today with names of men high.
in official circles.
As "A result there was developing
here an increasing demand in con-
EressiOnal and official quarters that
al OF the facts be learned 10 con-
clusively show whether there was
truth or falsehood in the rumors. It
is certain that when congress re-
sumes its sessions one week from to-
dav Rep Wood wiz have powerful
support for his plan 10 have all Of
the facts made public
OmCiaIs Are Angered.
The bold declaration by Thomas
w. Lawson. one Of the group OF f.
nanciers who sold the market that
his operations we're due 10 inside
information and that there would be
other and larger leaks soon has an
rered many officials. There was a
disposition on the part of Rep. Wood
and the representatives associated
with him in order 20 force ar in
vestigation 10 have congress compel
lawson and certain New York
bankers 10 come here and tell
whether they actually had infOrma-
tion on which 20 rig the market
II is admitted that the selling in
Wall St at the beginning of the first
downward movement was for the
interest Of persons who were in po-
sition 20 know that Germany was
about 20 make a peace offer. There
can be no complaint about this.
There was "a sharp recovery i'm values
when France. Russia and Great
Britain indicated that they intended
20 reject the German proposals. At
that time the administration officials
were strenuously denying that there
was 20 be aay action taken by the
president. although his peace note.
which went forward on Monday. had
. cen about completed. This note
was made public last Thursday
morning It's existence was made
known Co newspaper men in con-
ndence on Wednesday
Based on Information.
But Rep. Wood and those asso-
ciated with him insist that the sell
ing movement. which sent values
tumhling and resulted i'm the loss 70
the lambs" Of millions. began on
Monday and was plainly based or
information that IL was 10 come.
Now what the men behind this
inquiry want 10 determine is
whether some one was I'm position
TO learn that the president was pre-
pairing a peace note and took ad-
vantage Of that knowledge. And
they are likely 20 have assistance
from unexpected quarters in getting
such information Sec'y Of State
Lansing has made il plain that he
would assist any real investigation
in every way he could The secre-
tary says the news did not come
from the state department or white
house
The men whose names are sug-
pested IN the rumorS which are
widespread here had no direct con-
nect:on With either department.
II Is because of this fact that Of
ficiaIs say an investigation should be
ordered boy congress.