The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-01-09
(Associaed Press.)


Washington, Jan. 9.-Continued re-
fusal of Thomas w. Lawson " an.
swer categorical questions by the
house rules committee into the leak
inquiry today caused the committee
to entertain second motion by Rep
resentative Bennett that he be cited
before the bar for contempt.
The motion was held on the table
for action.
Demands Names.
Representative Bennett demanded
that Lawson name the man who told
him New York broker cabinet Of.
fetal. and senator we're partners In
stock gambling partnership. Law
son fatty refused for two reasons,
one that he already was cited for con-
tempt and the other he did not think
it necessary to give the name at this
time.
Lawson's Operations. ........
The line Of examination. turned to
the stock Exchange and Lawsoh's
own operations, particularly during
the month of September, 1871, during
which the leak is said to have occur
red. - ~..f.
Lawson said that, bad as the break
on the market was when the leak
came, it probably would have been
worse if there had been no leak.
Questions For Nation. 81
"My opinion is that the break was
weeks in coming and that the leak
gave certain operators an opportunity
to prepare for the crash," said Law
son. III the market had broken with
out that preparation, made possible by
leak, the break would have been
much more disastrous for the coun-
try. We didn't have any failures &C.
companying so ! really think the
leak was a good thing in one way"
Questioned Lawson.
Representative Chipperfield Ques.
toned Lawson, seeking to show that
he was a beneficiary of the falling
market.
Lawson denied that he was con-
nected with any brokerage, firm but
admitted he operated occasionally
through brokers as an individual.
"My purpose" said Chipperfield.
"is to show that Lawson, who says
he was not the recipient of any leak.
dealt largely on the stock exchange
during this break. l want to. show
up business transactions which were
conducted independently of leak.
If he can operate successfully with.
out a leak, then condemn the effort
being made here to indict other men
for operating successfully in the same
market. 'I'E1l9' IL
"Give us the name of your brokers'"
he demanded.
Lawson said one brokerage was H.
Content & Co., Ill Broadway, New
York "a
Began in December. .
Chippertield then asked questions to
show that Lawson began selling
campaign in December, and asked II
his transactions in Steel did not q.
gregate as much as 100000. Law
son said he didn't have any idea OF
what they aggregated. He would not
give any direct answer when asked
if he conducted a selling campaign.
Mr.. Lawson promised the commit.
tee he would disclose the name q
the cabinet official. senator, and New
York banker, whom he said mem-
Der of congress told him were euE1e
ed in stock house.
First Progress. ga
The leak investigation seemed 70
make it's first progress today when
Thomas W. Lawson, after much Queo.
tioning and urging promised that
should the House order q formal 81.
Quiry he would disclose the name Of
the cabinet officer, the senator, ald
New York broker, who, he ssid, q
congressman told him were engaged
in stock gambling partnership and
had profitted through advance inform
alton concerning the peace note.
To disclose the names Of the HouSo
committee, Lawson refused repeatedly,
even when confronted with three Sep
arate resolutions to put him In con.
tempt for three reasons.
HIS Reasons.
First he contended the Rules Com.
mittee had no power to conduct Z
thorough investigation including 90
of the stock exchanges, such o ~
urged.
Second, Lawson said that he Co.
sidered disclosure Of the nam4s C
this time would have i disa1kroaD
effect for the country and ad0lnlSeta-
tcontinued . 1ase tvo.)