The Washington times., 1917-01-05


representatives Of two Wall Street
papers alleged to have been present
at the Lansing conference on the morn
ing of the conference.
do you not know" he asked Con:
gresham Wood. that the representa-
tives Of two Wall Street papers-The
Wall Street Journal and Financial
America-sttend these conferences, and
that It r. their duty to tip on their
papers regarding anything that might
be Of interest to the financial world.
Is It not possible that these gentlemen
advised their papers that an important
announcement would be made by the
State Department later in the day and
that their papers, supported by Wall
Street interests, possibly, may have
known OF the peace note?"
Newspaper Men Not TSld.
That may be possible" said Con-
gresham WOOD. MY understanding
IS, however, that Mr.. Lansing did not
tell the newspaper men that morning
there would be q peace note. He
merely said there was no news, but
something might be expected that
afternoon"
THE market broke about two hours
after the morning conference, did 1t
not? asked Mr.. Harrison.
II am having a statement prepared
showing the actual conditions and
huctuations on the market that day."
, responded Mr.. Wood.
what information did you have
before you introduced this resolu-
tiouF" asked Mr.. Harrison.
Based on Flying Rumors.
II had rumors that were flying about
the House and charges In the papers
about q leak" said Mr.. Wood.
The Curtis letter came after you
had introduced your original resolu-
ton, did II not7 And you also
learned later Of information that
reached Oshkosh, Lafayette and other
places out West regarding the forth
coming peace note? In other. WORDS,
YOU learned these things after you
Introduced the resolution said Mr..
Harrison.
Yes" said Mr.. Wood
'Why did Mr.. Curtis write your"
II do not know"
DO YOU know that Mr. Curtis is q
reputable man or not?
II do not know him at all: F.! under
stand that he is an Independent opera
tor on Wall Street"
when CONGRESSMAN Wood referred
to a "rumor' that "the leak went 10
friends of the Administration" Con-
gresham Garrett interposed:
Ruuor Mentions Baruch.
"what official of the Government
iS responsible for the leakT
CT have no information as to how
the leak occurred or from whom 1t
came. 1 am telling you what have
hard rumored. The superstition is
that this information got out through
Barney Baruch before the note was
sent. The rumor is he had It day or
two in advance"
"Do you know when Mr.. Baruch en-
gagged in his alleged transactions!
asked Chairman Henry.
mo. but / am getting a statement
on that"
what connection can you show
between Barney Baruch and those
kilograms sent out West?"
81 do not know what connection
there is, II any"
"You have mentioned Secretary
TumuIty's name in connection with
Mr.. Baruch," said Chairman Henry.
Doesn't Charge Tumulty Profited.
II do not charge that Mr.. Tumulty
nrofited bv this" said Mr.. Wood. ST
have not charged that any one profit
ed. / asked for this investigation 30
that Il might be ascertained whether
any one profited. That is the object
of this inquiry"
s"Have YOU seen Mr.. Tumulty and
asked him whether he had breakfast
with Mr.. Baruch at the Biltmore Ho-
tel?"
mo-" said Mr.. Wood.
Don't you think it would have been
better had you consulted with MI.
TumuIty before asking for an investi'
Eaticn and Juggling in his manner?
THAT il the very reason / asked
this committee to have an executive
session this morning" responded Mr..
Wood.
Speaks Of Injustice to Tumulty.
IF It turned out that Mr.. Curtis is
not q reputable man and that Mr..
Tumulty did not take breakfast with
Mr.. Baruch In New York. or any.
where else, do you not think that you
have done Mr.. Tumulty q grave In
justice In bringing in his name In the
manner you have?"
Mr.. Chipperheld, a Republican mem
Der of the committee, objected to the
question and interrupted Mr.. Woods
reply.
II object to the assumption of the
chairman that anyone's name has
been lugged," said Mr.. Chipperfield
: Mr.. Wood has just told US what he
has heard"
After q spirited oolloquy among
committee members, Chairman Henry
finally withdrew the question.
Campaign Fund Touched On.
you said that Barney Baruch il
a member OF the Council of Nationa
Defense" continued Mr.. Chipperfield
DO you know by rumor or otherwise
whether Mr.. Baruch contributed L
any Presidential campaign fund.-
81 understand that he gave $35,0O'
to the Wilson campaign fund" salt
Mr. Wood.
rs there any plan with the mover
OF this investigation to retard o
hinder the President in his peace ef
forts7" asked Mr.. Garrett.
None whatever that / know Of,
said Mr.. Wood.
Democratic members of the Rule
Committee said il probably would b
found that the 'steel trust" contr
buted to the Republican campaigl
fund.
THE WEATHER REPORT.
District of CoIumbia-Rain this a.