Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-01-19

w hlpplC uCNiWSu lotlkhl W say
whether he was to act as counsel i'll
the peace note leak inquiry.
Washington, Jan. fisherman L.
Whipple of Boston, democrat and
a noted trial lawyer, was invited to-
night by the house rules committee
to act as counsel in the peace note
leak" investigation, which, it now
appears, will extend deeply into Wall
street stock manipulations.
From authoritative sources there
were intimations that the Boston at
torney had been consulted and was
expected to undertake the task.
Woman First Witness.
Further public hearings in the in
quiry were postponed until Monday
to give counsel and the committee
time to prepare for the future pro-
ceedings. The plan is to call as the
first witness Mrs. Ruth Thomson
Visconti, the woman whom Thomas
w, Lawson says told him Secretary
Tumulty and w. w. Price, a Wash
ington newspaper man, were bencfi-
ciaries OF the alleged leak" She will
be followed by score OF other wit
ncsses, including the men mentioned
i'll the inquiry and number OF prom-
nent New York tinanciers.
The selection of Mr.. Whipple fol-
lowed bitter fight of several hours
among democrats of the committee,
in which Postmaster General Burle!
son, Solicitor General Davis and Ma
jority Leader Kitchn participated.
Several of the democrats, including
Chairman Henry, urged Samuel I'm
termyer as counsel, despite attacks
against such course from both sides
of the house yesterday.
White House for Untermycr.
Mr. Burleson.. often administration
spokesman at the capitol, is UNDER
stood to have been there to advocate
untermyer.
One Of the chief objections against
Mr.. untermyer was that Lawson had
discussed the case with him and was
known to want all investigation of the
Stock exchange with Untermyer in
charge.
Democratic members OF the com.
mittec struggled with the problem
Tor more than twenty-four hours. cx-
cluding republican members from
their conferences. Representatives
Campbell and Lenroot, ranking re-
publican committeeman, learned OF
the efforts to choose Untermyer, and
late this afternoon issued statement
assailing the democrats. The state.
ment, which charged the democrats
with attempting to choose a partisan
counsel, had the effect of ending the
differences.
Republicans Invited.
The republicans were invited info
the conference at o'clock, at which
time Mr.. Whipplc was suggested,
They were told to return at S o'clock.
In the meantime Mr.. Campbell con-
suited Senator Weeks of Massachu.
sets, against whom Mr.. Whipplc
made race for the senate, as to
Whipple's qualifications. Senator
Weeks endorsement was so strong
that the republican members made no
further inquiry, and returning to the
committee room, approved the selec-
ton.
Agitation to broaden the inquiry
still further by new resolution,
which specifically would direct
through investigation of the stock ex-
change with a view to reform legis-
lation, caused much discussion in the
democratic conference. After the Sc
lection of Mr.. Whipple. however,
democratic leaders said that the in
quiry would proceed along lines al
ready outlined. In the investigation
of the nomination of Louis D. Bran
deis to the supreme court, Mr..
Whipple appeared before senate
judiciary subcommittee as a witness
favorable to confirmation. He also re-
Gently appeared as counsel for pneu-
matte tube intrests before the post
once committee.
Lansing Issues Denial.
Secretary Lansing today denied
statements made at the leak hear
ing that he had breakfasted several
times at the Biltmore hotel in New
York with Bernard Baruch. He said
he did not know Mr.. Baruch and
never had any conversation with
him.
Secretary Lansing's authorized
statement is as follows: ..
while | dislike very much to dig
nifty by denial false and malicious
scandal, at the same time the pub
licity which has been given to some
OF the reportj warrant me in saving
that in regard to the statement that
] breakfasted several times with Mr..
Baruch at the Biltmore hotel. i'm
plying, ! assume, that | gave him
advance information concerning the
note to the belligercnts, | never to
my knowledge saw Mr.. Baruch at any
time. do not know him and never
had any conversation with him. and
| have been out of Washington only
once since election, and that was TO
attend the army and navy game in
New York November rs.
Samuel Untermeyer Ill.
Baltimore, Nd, Jan. 18.-Samuel
untermeyer, the corporation lawyer
Of New York, arrived at Johns Hop
kins today for physical examination.
1t is said he is suffering from an as