New Britain herald., 1917-01-15
Suggests Special Committee Be
 Appointed tq Hear His Story of Scandal
ECCENTRIC B0ST0NIAN
 CAN'T HAVE OWN WAY
Star Witness Wires His Regrets nj Re- ing Unable to Attend at Hour Set For Opening of Hearing Today and .nux.t Serseant-at-arms is Sent Sleuthing s-rs On His Trail-Wins Postponement
 of Few Ho4frs.

ss washington, Jan. 15.-The house rules committee today resumed it's ef- u Iorts to get Thomas w. Lawson to give the names of officials whom he 1ntimated in previous testimony might De solved in his charges relating to a leak of advance information on Pres- 1dent Wilson's peace note. When called to the stand he faced a list of written questions whose answer was demanded under threat that if he re- ; fused he might be cited before the bar of the house on contempt charges and imprisoned if declared guilty. 8 Before the hearings began the committee met in secret session to pass on proposaAto ignore a writ of habeas in case Lawson should obtain 1t In fight against contempt proceed ings.
 Among others called to testify were Bernard Baruch of New York; F. w. McKinnon, Chicago broker; James R. Reilly of the Dow, Jones company ticker service and the Wall Street Journal, and members of the firm of Lockwood & company, New York.
 Tom Little Bit Late. 4ss While the committee was deliberat- ing behind closed doors a message was received from Lawson, saying he could not reach Washington at. the time specified for his appearance but would arrive later in the day. Chair man Henry then directed the ser- [ Eeant-at-arms to get immediate ser i. vice on Lawson to bring him before . the committee. A recess was taken fIpending his arrival.
 The committee voted to recommend 4 to the house the adoption of another resolution which would broaden the scope of the inquiry still further and extend 90 days to the time in which the committee might report.
 Later Chairman Henry received g. s telegram from Lawson saying he } would arrive. at p. m. MT. Henry set the time for the hearing to re- sume at 3 o'clock.
 .s~ Lawson's Conditions. A.,l Tt developed during the recess that saChairman Henry received a letter from Lawson laying down certain conditions under which he would tes- tify His principal contention. it is understood, was that a special con- gressional committee be formed to interrogate him. The rules com mittee will not heed the condition. \ Two resolutions to strengthen the
 
 {. compel witnesses to answer questions Were presented by Rep. Garrett, a 1hember of the committee, and were ' Adopted soon after the house met. One of them was general in charac- ter. but the other would compel Law son to give names specifically.
 Representative Campbell, republi- scan, today introduced resolution for 7 a special committee of five to deal with the leak situation
 As an outcome of the Lawson hear ing Representative Harrison, demo- crat of the rules committee, today r prepared a constitutional amendment q by which senators and representatives will not be privileged or immune in testimony before congressional com mittees and must have reasonable Justification for words spoken in con- gross.
 Lawson reached here shortly after 3s2 o'clock and was met by a deputy sergeant -at-arms He informed the e officer he would appear before the committee promptly at o'clock.