The Washington times., 1917-02-08

mrs. VISCONTI GOES
ON STAND IN PROBE
Gives Name of informant Sc
CTetIy to Investigation
Committee.
" LAWSON SEATED NEARBY
Price Breaks Down When
Questioned on Intimate De-
tails of Life.

CONTINUED from First Page)
sale of a bond purchased by him in
1912. He wept again when asked
where he got the money with which
10 buy the bonds in 1872.
In redemption of his promise to
Mrs Visconti to be present if she was
called as witness. Thomas W. Law
son. the Boston financier. who started
the whole leak investigation. sat di-
rectly behind her during the brief
time she was on the stand.
Lawson Enters Room.
While the committee was in eNecu-
tive session. Thomas W. Lawson en-
tered the hearing room majestically.
When his eve found a small blonde
woman in the large crowd. he ap-
preached her and shook her by the
hand.
Immediately all eyes in the room
were directed toward the Boston
financier and the only woman in the
investigation.
Mrs. Visconti. who went TO the
House office building in street car.
was sttired in a dark blue suit OF
military cut, adorned with large black
buttons in front. a large gray fur col
lar and deep cuffs OF the same fur.
Wore Long Skirt.
Over her white gloves fell extended
cuffs OF soft tulle. On her arm hung
a small handbag.
Her rather long skirt hid the tops
OF her bronze. buttoned shoes. and
this seemed 10 emphasize her tiny
feet.
large birds wing with touches
OF gray. red and blue on her hat, re-
lieved the severity OF its unusual
shape.
'TimId Looking Woman.
Mrs. Nisconu Is a timid looking
little woman, with a constant express
sion of surprise in her large blue
eyes. Her features are sharp. thin.
and without color. Her c,eekbones
are high, her cheeks somewhat sunken
and her nose aquiline.
OF Pronounced PaIIor.
Her pallor was pronounced, and she
seemed as If she had just recovered
from long illness.
Mrs Visconti stood with her back
against the wall as she talked with
Lawson. Her brows were knit and
animated tones, with frequent ges-
lures and flourishes of the soft white
tulle dangling from her cuffs
Crowd Grows Larger.
While the two were talking. the
crowd was augmented and the new
corners Joined the others in the room,
in directing their gaze at Lawson and
Mrs. Visconti.
The woman witness was scrutinized
by at least GOO pairs Of eyes.
Mrs. NiscOnti seemed to be con-
scious of the fact that everybody was
looking at her. and shifted her di-
minutive weight from one foot 10 the
other. and fumbicd nervousIy with
her handbag.
Called 60 Witness Stand.
The conference WAS suddenly inter.
rupted by Attorney whippIc. who
loudly called, Mrs. Veccountee. Mrs
Veecountee"
Chairman Henry Joined in. SAYING
Mrs. Neecountee will kindly step
around and take the witness stand. $
The 600 pairs of eyes followed the
tlInid little woman from the western
end Of the room to the witness stand
IN the center.
As she stepped upon the platform
on which the witness chair stood. she
accidentally kicked brass cuspidor.
The rattle seemed to frighten her.
Lawson Seated Nearby.
As Mrs. Visconti seated herself in
the witness chair. Lawson ensconsed
himself in A chair directly behind
her. with a look of mingled defiance
and determination in his face and
manner.
The excited little woman WIS or
dcrcd to stand up and take the ostn
administered to all witnesses before
the committee.
She Takes the Oath.
As Chairman Henry. looking The
witness squarely in the eye. said
you solemly swear TO tell this com
nittee the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, so help Won
Cod Mrs. Visconti stood on the
platform with her right hand raised
She looked directly at Chairman
Henry as if to pierce him with the
concentrated gaze OF her blue eyes.
Her uplifted hand quivered. and her
whole being seemed to pulse and
ihrob with suppressed emotion and
excitement.
Women CriticIse Appearance.
Some Of the women in the audience
whispered. she's scared to death"
After being sworn Mrs. visconti
seated herself ana .unbuttoned her
coat.
As she folded back tho bIac'. silk
lapels she disclosed a ra:hn. long
throat, and Il lOw-cUt EenrCrtta crcp.
waist caught at the center with =
large pale blue turquoise Dr.aSrpin.
circular in shape.
showed NerVOusnesS.
SO far as an unusual outward dem
onstration was concerned, she was
calm. but her Nervousness showed at
she continually removed and put on
h"r white gloves, disclosing two very
small hands, with atteniiated fingers,
bearing no rings.
Answering Attorney WhippIe's first
question. Give your name" she
spoke in = voice so soft and cNccs-
sively modulatcd that she was in
structcd I" speak louder.
Scarcely Heard by Crowd.
Even when she raised her voice.
however. the crowd could scarcely
hear az follow her testimony. The
spectators leaned forward. craning
their neCks and Straining their cars