The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-30
LAWSON'S STORY IS DENIED BY WITNESS
 IN 'LEAK' PROBE
Boston Mans Claim There Was Leak Is Very Much Discredited When Fi-
 nanciers Appear

New York. January 29.-Some of the most sensational charges Thomas W. Lawson made in testifying recently in the. House rules committee "1eak'' in- vestigation were vehemently denied to- day by Pliny Fisk and Archibald S. White, two widely known New York 6nanciers, before the congressional in- quisitors.
 Fisk named by Lawson as the bank CT member of an alleged trio com rosed of cabinet member Secretary McAdoo, a member of Congress, known as Senator o. and banker, would have a joint account in Wall street declared no such combination ever ex- isted
 White, who Lawson said told him that Fisk had boasted that he con trolled Secretary McAdoo and had of fered to call the secretary from his bed by telephone at 80 o'clock in the morning to prove his assertion, insist ed that Lawson was '.romancing."
 As a result of these denials com- mitteemen tonight believed the length of the hearings here had been short ened materially. Some said they would clcse within three or four days Ex- animation of certain stock exchange records for 13 days preceding the send ing of the Presidents peace note of several bankers and brokers regarding general financial conditions during this period and further examination of Barney Baruch, heavy short sell CT, and a few minor witnesses is ex- pected to bring the end here.
 WOULD END INQUIRY
 The committee is now intent on bringing the inquiry to close with an Investigation of the peace note leak"
 The name of Count Won Bernstorff was again brought, into the inquiry today in questions put to White, but with what purpose was not disclosed.
 Sherman l.. Whipple. counsel of the committee. wanted to know if just prior to the publication of the President s note White had arranged a meeting between the German ambassador and Lawson White, after saving that he had frequently entertained Bernstorff at his home here and that they were friends of long standing, testified that Lawson had sought to have him ar- range meeting with the ambassador but that the request had been made at least a year and half ago. He said it had come to him through Law scn's confidential man, McSweeney, and that he had told McSweeney to arrange the meeting himself. White said he did not know whether the meeting ever took place.
 QUESTIONS ASKED
 Whipple inquired closely into Whites friendship with Lawson during the period prior to the publication of the note. He developed that the two frequently met in Now York but White would not admit that they had dis cussed stock market speculation and the effect that the war and peace sit uation would have on the market "ex- cept in general terms.'' White said that he had sought to interest Lawson in the securities of the Federal Chem ical company, which White was pro- noting, and that Lawson had offered to make a market for them.''
 Seemingly armed with other inform alton gathered by the committee in respect to the association of the two men, Whipple questioned White in de- tail as to his various meetings with the Boston financier and wanted to know if on any occasion other per- sons were not present. White said he but finally admitted that about the time the German peace offer was pub lished he and Lawson had meeting with Harry Content, stock broker, in the latter's office. He denied, how ever that at that time they had talked about the war situation or it's effect on the market.
 Lawson or participated in any of his deals" volunteered the witness. Neil ther did he know of the Presidents note until 1t was published. he said Lawson had told him, he testified, that somebody had profited by the leak, but it was only general statement He did not say who.'
 While MT. Fisk admitted close bust ness association with MT. McAdoo prior to the latter's entering the cabinet. the banker insisted that since that time their relations had been largely social and that he had "leaned back word" in so far as seeking favors from the secretary were concerned. The last business dealings he had with MT. Mc- Adoo was in connection, he said, with the sale of in excess of $112o00 worth or securities which the secretary left With the firm of Harvey Fisk & Sons for disposal when he became a cab met member. This account was closed on January IS, 1914.