The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-12-29
TOOK ADVANTAGE
OF INFORMATION
SCANDAL THREATENED IN
WASHINGTON As RESULT OF
ALLEGED SPECULATION.
INVESTIGATION BEGUN
Cabinet Member Makes Inquiry That
May Result In Democratic Dis
sension.

Washington, Dec. 23.-The names
of two United States Senators have
dragged into the gossip relating to
reports of sock speculations by
Government officials having advance
knowledge of President Wilson's
peace note.
The story threatens to develop in
DISASTROUS political scandal that
reveal serious discussions i'll
high Democratic circles. officials
who have been able to keep their
own skirts clear charged that a men,
Der of the Cabinet engineered the
plan for an investigation.
The Cabinet member has been fire.
quently characterized as the politi-
clan of the official family. He is
better known on Capitol Hill than on
the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue
and is said to have higher percent
age of friends in Congress than in
the Cabinet.
DN .tubdutt
The motive is said to have root
in a political grudge against the
group of men involved with the pos
sible exception of the other Cabinet
member, who is alleged to have pro-
fitted hugely by making timely use of
advance Information.
az
against members of the Administra-
ton are true, the story has served to
demonstrate that the old grapevine"
route to the White House and the
State Department is as clearly deiin-
/ ed as ever in the days of special
privileges
The Senators mentioned have
close connections in New York and
frequently make headquarters at a
, hotel in the immediate vicinity of
Broadway and Forty-second Street.
One of them is recognized leader
OF the Democratic side and has been
conspicuous at the last several con-
ventions. Representative Wood, OF
, Indiana, who introduced the resolu-
ton calling for the investigation, in
tends to get one as soon as possible,
-. He said that if the committee, to
which it was referred does not make
a report within the time allotted tn
It, he will call up the resolution on
the floor of the House and seek TO
have IL considered.
/ Brings Official Notice.
Since introducing the resolution,
which served to bring to official no
tice the rumors connecting Govern
/ ment officials with the stock-market
operations. Mr.. Wood has been in
receipt OF messages from many parts
of the country, urging him to pursue
his investigation to the limit and
determine whether the reports are
true. One of these messages, receiv-
ed to-day from New York stock
broker reads:
Heartily indorse your resolution,
= calling for full investigation of al
= legged stock-market operations by
= Government officials who may have
used the1r purposes to influence mar
ket fluctuations. If such conditions
actually exist as would seem prob
able to an experienced follower of
the-market, something radical should
be done to expose those who are be-
traying their public trust Don't
Sllow resolution to be killed in COM
mittee, but use same courage TO keep
il alive as you displayed in introduce
ing it on the floor of the House"
Mr.. Wood declared that he did
spur of the moment. nor without
taking into consideration the conse.
quences' of such action and what /.
means to persons who might become
Dabbie In Stocks.
He consulted with a large number
of the leaders of the House who,
like himself. had heard the rumors
that officials possessed of the con-
fldence of the Administration had
dabbled in stocks with profit to them
selves. After these conferences he
was advised to prepare the resolu-
ton.
:These rumors had become so in
sistent," said Mr.. Wood, that felt
the country had the right to know
whether there was anything in them.
found in talking with members of
the House that others had heard the
reports and without exception they
advised me TO make this demand
for an inquiry.
Il have never sought notoriety in
this or i'm any other matter since