Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-09
BOSTON FlNANClER SAYS Ne
WANTED STOCK DEALS
INVESTIGATED
TAKES STAk0 TODAY
cHiPPERFlElD, OF ILLINOIS, AND
WITNESS HOLD VERBAL SPAR
RING MATCH BEFORE CONGRESS
SIGNAL COMMITTEE.

Washington, Jan. 9.-Thomas W..
Lawson. who thus far has refused to
mention any names in the leak" in
vestigation, today promised to- give
names, il, as result Of the prelimin-
airy investigation being held by the
rules committee, the house should or
der congressional investigation.
The promise came after a session
devoted to wrangling in which motions
to hold Lawson in contempt twice
were renewed by Representatives
Bennett and Chipperfield. Lawson had
steadfastly refused to give names.
"Mr. Lawson finally asked Repre-
sentative Cantrill. IT the committee
should report this resolution and this
committee and the house ordered such
an inquiry by select committee and
you are summoned will you then give
to that committee the name of the
member OF congress and the cabinet
officers you mentioned"
Il will" said Mr.. Lawson.
why not give the name to this
committee then?'
Lawson then repeated his oft made
statement that this preliminary in
CURRY and he preferred to tell a spe-
cial committee because of the serious
ness of the disclosure
In the midst of Lawson's sharpest
exchanges with Representative Hip-
rerfield n second deputy stood oth3
acting sergeant at arms South be-
tween the two men to prevent possl-
bic flstcuffs.
statement of Mr. Lawson that he real
ly cared very little abuut an investi.
cation Of the leak but his rather
spectacular part in the whole contro-
versy had been actuated by desire
to have an investigation of the New
York stock exchange.
In a parry between B. NJ. Clipper
/ field, CT Illinois, and Mr.. Lawson, the
following dialogue was conducted:
Your real object is to have an in
vestigation Of the stock exchange?"
said Congressman Chipperfeld.
Yes answered Mr.. Lawson.
you do not take the slightest in
terest in the investigation so far as it
concerns merely the "leak?'
oh | take slight interest"
But it makes little difference to
you whether the guilty persons are
found or not, or whether they are pun
ished. You arc chiefly interested in
an investigation Of the stock ex-
Chdnge?'
Yes"
And all these newspaper articles.
letters and statements you have made
are really to the end that there may
be an inquiry into the stock ex-
change?
Yes, that is what | want an invest
igation for"
At this point Congressman Harri-
son, OF Mississippi, interposed
And yet you are common stock
Speculator en- the market?'
Il do not understand what you
mean by common spectators. We
are all spectators, | guess. Stock
speculation Is legitimate business.
You men of congress have made it so
( by failure to act You can change
conditions so that you need not call
4 one a Common stock speculator."
!. oh, don't know about that" said
g Harrison
+ The examination then took the ia
+ miliar turn of tracing ticker reports
Y and the stories about the manner in
= which leak may have reached the
stock market in advance Of the peace
note.
Earlier in his testimony Mr.. Law.
son told the committee that federal
p regulation of stock exchanges is nee
essary and several years ago he had
helped frame a bill which was intro
duced in the senate for their regula
e ton.
II Lawson said the leak" occurred {
"a week or ten days before the pubica
II ton Of the note He also said he was
e advised by Samuel Undermeyer, ;
ol New York lawyer, that the rules com
u mittee has practically no power /,
IL compel appearance and answers o
y witnesses
II Lawson said If called before selec
IL committee he would toll the names o
III congressman, cabinet officer AM
H. other high officials and banker In
Yolyed In the leak on the peace note
He also promised to give amounts 0
:, money great amounts OF money
:. more than million dollars connec
:, ed with the transaction.