New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-22

Shonts on the stand yesterday said he
was positive that he had never re-
ceived such letter from Mr.. Morgan.
Mr.. Dawson, after denying that he
had the letter or knew Of its existence,
was asked By Mr.. Moss If it was the
cause of his resignation. Mr.. Dawson
said IL was not.
Dawson on Stand.
Senator Thompson began the exami-
nation Of Mr. Dawson. After obtaining
his name and address and tho fact that
he had been employed by the commit
tee until last Saturday he asked:
"Do you remember an occasion at
Mr.. Colby's house when Mr.. Colby, you,
J. Frank Smith and myself were pres
ent?"
eyes. ] remember the meeting; but
do not remember that Mr.. Smith vas
there"
DO you remember a conversation
about a letter which you said was Of
great importance between ]. 7. Morgan
and Mr.. Shonts?"
81 don't recall it."
do you remember talking of letter
written by J. p. Morgan to Shonts dated
some time after tho visit of Mr.. Read
and Mr.. Lane and Mr.. Morgan?"
"I do not recall such n letter"
DO you remember such a CONVERSE
tom"
"No, don't"
do you remember pulling n letter
from your brief bag and saying you
had an important letter."
Mr.. Dawson's answer was long. He
said he had a number of letters in his
brief bag, and also considerable notes,
and that he had returned all these 10
the committee, or else TO Mr.. Colby.
I This answer did not satisfy Senator
Thompson, who again went at him, say
ing:
do you remember pulling a letter
from your brief bag"
81 pulled out papers-there's no
doubt about that"
"Wnat became OF those papers? ,"
81 either gave them 20 Mr.. Colby or
To the committee. There were some
notes that ! made which may have been
destroyed
Thompson Explains.
Here Nr. Moss interrupted. Turning
TO Senator Thompson, he sad
$50 that the record may be complete
state what occurred"
"Mr. Dawson made a remark an
swered Senator Thompson, that he had
much more important letter than any
thing that had yet come out. At that
time he pulled a letter from his brief
bag. Mr.. Colby then went on 10 talk
about q letter from Mr. Morgan to Mr.
Shonts."
did you ever see that letter since p"
asked Mr. Moss.
NO replied Senator Thompson, who
then turned in his chair and said, with
a trace of Impotence:
"Mr. Dawson, you know we'll what
mean. 1t was letter on the Stevens
contract"
"Will you say that you didn't see it >"
asked Mr. Moss.
Il won't say didn't" replied Mr.
Dawson.
ut was an important letter, wasn't
it?' asked Mr.. Moss, continuing the ex-
! animation.
at was"
THAT was why you brought il out ?"
yes
Don't you remember such a letter
as Senator Thompson describes?"
Il don't. That seems too important
for me TO have forgotten"
But you said: Here's an impor-
tant letter You must remember that
1 letter."
"All the letters between Mr.. Morgan
and Mr. Shonts were important"
Hunt Important Letter.
Senator Thompson, interrupting,
said;
But, Mr. Dawson. that is the only
time | remember you drawing any
d thing out Of a brief bag"
The former actuary of the Thomp-
son committee made no answer TO this.
! Dir. Moss then resumed the examina-
tion.
You were assistant counsel of the
committee" said Mr.. Moss.
Everyone in the room laughed at
/ this. the memory of Dawsons letter Of
/ resignation calling himself assistant
counsel, and Senator Thompsons
declaration that he was hired as an
actuary, being fresh in their minds.
/ Yes, | supposed So" replied the
witness.
"Then I ask you, as assistant coun-
sci. IT that letter which you drew
from your bag. is in evidence?'
81 think So"
Can you give Us any elew as to
what it is ?"
Don't you remember that on Satur-
day Mr. Colby questioned Mr.. Shonts
at length regarding this very letter >"
"Ges, | remember he did, but | don't
believe IL is in existence"
Thompson Loses Patience.
Don't you think that this letter has
been concealed"
1t is probable"
"Was the subject of this letter the
cause Of your resignation ."
"Oh. no."
Senator Thompson lost patience with
the witness, and facing him, said:
Now. Mr.. Dawson. there's no need
OF spending all day on this. You re-
member that on this occasion you were
mad, or pretended 20 be, because some
letters and "A certain check tone OF
$500 20 Lemuel Ely Quigg) which had
been found in the Gillespie files were
published. Didn't you say: Here's a
matter much more important, and mucn
more sensational-I think you used
the very word Sensational-th that"
81 may have said it, Senator"
Gaua.pr Tbonnngnn thpu asked fna