The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-01-19
Sherman L. Whipple, Noted
Boston Lawyer, Offered
Washington Job.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ROW
Inquiry Now to Extend Deeply
Into Wall Street Stock
Manipulation.

WASHINGTON. Jan. fisherman L.
whipple Of Boston. a Democrat and q
Asted trial lawyer. was invited tonight
by the Rules Committee Of the House to
act as counsel In the note leak investi-
CATION. which 1t now appears will ex-
tend deeply into Wall Street stock ma
nlpulations.
Mr.. whipple telegraphed Chairman
Henry tonight that ~ would come to
Washington Saturday to confer with the
committee. Mr.. Henry said the message
was not an acceptance of the commit
tees invitation, but that he did not
doubt that an engagement would be
reached without difficulty.
Representative Henry. chairman OF
the committee. and Representative Camp
bell. the ranking Republican member.
said when the announcement was made
that It was hoped Whipple would accept.
From other sources there were intima-
tions that the Boston attorney had been
consulted and was expected to undertake
the task.
Further public hearings in the inquiry
we're postponed until Monday morning
In order to give counsel and the COM
mittee time to complete arrangements
and prepare for the future proceedings
along lines which the attorney may sug-
gest. The plan Is to call as the first
witness Mrs. Ruth Thomason Visconti,
the woman who Thomas w. Lawson says
told him Secretary Tumulty and W. w.
Price, o Washington newspaper man.
were beneficiaries of the alleged leak.
She will be followed by n score or more
Of other witnesses, including the men
whose names have been brought into the
inquiry and number Of prominent
New York Ananciers.
hitter Fight Over whipple.
The selection Of whipple followed a
bitter fight of several hours among
Democrats of the committee in which
Postinaster-General Burleson. Solicitor
General Davis and Majority Leader
Kitchin participated. Several Of the
Democrats. including Chairman Henry.
urgently advised the selection OF Samuel
Untermyer as counsel despite attacks
against such course from both sides OF
the House yesterday.
Mr. Burleson. often Administration
spokesman at the Capitol, 10 understood
10 have been there to advocate the selec-
ton of Untsrmyer. Representative How
ard. Of Georgia, who announced his op-
position To Untermyer on the floor. was
irportuned by Democratic leaders to
give silent approval to his retention
Howard vehemently declined. and his re-
newed protests. with open objection fro;r
other Democratic members and unani'
nous disapproyal on the Republican side
forced Untermyer's champions to yield.
One Of the chief objections against re-
tanning Untermyer was that Lawson had
discussed the case with him and was
known to want an investigation Of the
Stock Exchange with Untermyer In
charge of II.
Democratic members Of the committee
struggled with the problem for more
than twenty-four hours. excluding Re
publican members from their confer
cnces while endeavoring to reach an
agreement. Representatives Campbell
and Lenroot, ranking Republican COM
mitteemen. learned of tho efforts being
made to choose Untermyer. and late this
afternoon, still ignored. issued state
ment assailing the Democrats. The
statement, which charged the Democrats
with attempting to choose . partisan
counsel. had the effect of bringing the
differences to an end.
Republicans Are Invited In.
The Republicans were invited into the
conference at 4 o'clock. at which time
Whpple was suggested. They were told
10 return at o'clock. In the meantime
Mr. Campbell consulted Senator Weeks
of Massachusetts,, against whom Whip
pie made n race for the Senate. AZ &c
Whipple's qualifications. Senator Weeks's
Endorsement was SO strong that the fe
publican members made no further In
quiry and, returning to the committee
room. approved the selection.
Agitation TO broaden the scope Of th'
inquiry still further by new resolution
which specifically would direct thorough
Investigation of the Stock Exchange will
view to reform legislation caused mucl
discussion in the Democratic conference
early IN the day. After the selection o
Whipple tonight, however, 1t was salt
by Democratic leaders that the inquir!
would proceed along lines already out
lined. At one stage. when agreement OF
counsel seemed impossible. suggestion
was made that the Rules Committee rec
ommend immediate appointment OF
special committee to take over the In
vestigation. When Untermyer ceased t
be urged this proposal was abandoned.
In the Investigation of the nomination
~ Louis d. Brandeis to the Suprem
Court Mr.. Whipple appeared before
Senate Judiciary subcommittee as
witness favorable to confirmation. II
also recently appeared as counsel TO
Ofiice Committee.
Attacks the DEN scrats.
Representative Campbell after cor
ference with his colleasues and with Re
publican Leader Mann Issued . STATE
rnent assailing the Democratic member
for seeking to agree upon counsel with
out consulting Republican members. II
charged such methods were partisan an
would diecredit counsel to be employe
In advance.
ITO the astonishmcnt OF the Rcpubl
can members of the committee" sal
Campbell, "the Democratic members me-
behind closed doors, It is said. for tn
purpose Of agreeing upon the counsel an
experts the House directed the con
mittee TO employ. The minority men
oers were surprised on arriving at tt
hearing room to find placard on II
door announcing that the hearings ha
been indefinitely postponed. This inve
'!gation must not be smothered or straI
glcd. II must be made. and every avail
able source OF evidence must be e,
haustcd."
Thomas W. Lawson has left Washing
',r, but his secretary still is here ar
"aq In communication with Chairma
li'nry. Mr.. Lawson will return
.HnRton whenever tte committee
~ h's presence,
;" r"tary Lgusirg to-day denied stat
mS.t. made at sIe "lesk' heasing tn
he had brcakfasted several times at Il
Continued on Fourth Psss. +.
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