The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-08

trusted Implicitly.
Only Speculation.
Asked by Congressman Campbell II
he had any theory as to how the leak
originated, the Secretary said:
81 have nothing but speculation and
guesswork. ] want to be careful what
1 say here. have been the victim OF
insiruation, and do not wish to say
anything here which do not know
to be q positive fact"
Secretary Tumulty's warmth of feel
ing In referring to Congressman
Wood for dragging my name into
this affair" caused Congressman
Campbell to ask him:
Haven't you heard that Congress
man Wood offered to make his state
ment in private before the commit
tee?"
Asks To Re Excused.
IT wish you wouldn't ask me to
discuss Mr. Wood" replied the Presi-
ednt's Secretary. 81 would be asham-
ed to be q party to the furnishing
of the reputation of a public man
on the strength of q letter from q
man named Curtis, whom no one
guilty Of this thing, / wouldn't be At
to hold the smallest office In this
country"
At this tuncture Chairman Henry
suggested that the witness confine
himself to answering questions, while
Congressman Chiperheld insisted
that the record be made TO show that
Secretary Tumulty spoke with great
feeling and warmth.
No Definite Infornatisn.
Asked If he had been able to dis
cover any leak himself, Tumulty said
he had been unable to get any definite
very fact that the note passed
the idea of q leak.
'T do not believe any Of the news
papermen violated condolences on Sec
rotary Lansing's announcement about
the note" said Tumulty, 'but you can
see q newspaper man might tell q
II wouldn't take much for
anyone to suspect what that means"
Msde Every Inquiry.
Tumulty said he'd made every in
quiry possible at the White House to
ascertain IL any leak was possible
there. He found, he said, that none
knew about the matter, and that mot
a clerk could be held under sus-
picion."
He addeS aevery man there can be
trusted abAolptely."
Pressed asstp whether he had any
pointing to any person In
on the leak, Tumulty said:
81 have not. ! might have suspi-
cions built on rumor, but when repu-
tations are involved, wouldn't say
anything"
TeId BY Correspendent.
Tumulty,s first knowledge Of the
note. he said. came from press as
ISOLATION eorrsspoadsnt In the middle
OF, the afternoon, who told him: =, Z
rhe peace note has been given
out" -
Tumulty explained that the usual
procedure when the President wrote
a note was for him to send u direct
to the State Department. ~
Tumulty put into the record q letter
from l.. T. Russell, of the Newark
Ledger, indicating that MIR.
Curtis" who furnished Congressman
Wood With his Information, might be
q man who gave "tips" to. newspapers
on news events.
Aeauainted with Him.
You are acquainted with Barney
n. BaruchT" asked Mr.. Chiperfeld.
Eyes, I know him." 49,.
when did you last see him before
December 2o?"
Il saw aim AZ the :eridiroa dinner
on December o.
Were yeu near himr
about five seats away"
Did you talk with Mr.. Baruch?"
only casually"
DO you know J. r. Regsn, Of the
Knicksrbocker Hotel, New York;
Yes"
ever had any transactions with
him.
NO..
.'Have you ever had any transact
tions with w. B. Hibbs & Co., OF this
city?
No Transactions.
NO" said Tumulty.
Have you frequented Hibbs OFFICER
"Yes-once. ! will tell you about
it."
'Tf I want Il I will ask for it."
said Chiperfield, who had already had
a slight run-in with Tumuity.
This came when Tumulty said. go
as far as you like" In questioning.
EI will do that without your per-
snapped Congressman Chip
erfield.
~ object to that line Of talk" said
Foster, Democrat.
"ObJect to what? You take only
one view of this matter" said Chip
erfield angrily.
His Only visit.
. Secretary Tumulty said his only
visit to Hibbs' office had been 70
introduce Ambassador Gerard, who
wanted to buy some bonds.
81 recommended Nj. Hihbs," saia
Tumulty, land by the way he 10 .
a stanch Republican"
THAT 10 nothing against him or for
him." said chiperfieid.
"And he IL q fine gentleman" said
Tumulty.
Yes. / don't suppose the praise or
Of either Of Us would mat
ter" replied Chiperheld.
do you know Alfred II. Curtis. Of
LIS West Seventy-ninth street. New
York; asked Congressman Chiperheld.
NO" said Tumulty.
Doesn't knew HIN.
do you know whether he was former
America, with which Morse and others
-