The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-01-19
M'ADOO NAMED
BY t ". LAWSON
AS CABINET OFFICER IMPLICAT-
ED IN PEACE NOTE LEAK
Sensational Testimony Given Before
House Rules Committee, Chair
man Henry Being Quoted at
One Point.

Washington, Jan. l5-Chalrman
Henry took the stand in the "leak"
inquiry to testify in relation to state
ments of Thomas w. Lawson that
Henry had given him information
about a member of congress, bank
er and a cabinet officer rumored to
have been connected with teh "leak." !"
Henry asserted again and again that
he had not given Lawson the infor-
nation he had given the committee,
Il have no fear of my reputation in
the house or in the country" Henry
declared, "and what this gentleman
says here today does not even disturb
me-"
Turning to Lawson. who was seated
behind him, Henry reasserted that he
had told Lawson nothing. Lawson did
not reply
Henry also declared in the course of
of his statement that he never had
mentioned the name of a member of
congress, or banker to Lawson as
having been involved in the "leak."
Chairman Henry emphatically de-
MED that he ever mentioned to Law
son the name Of any cabinet officer.
Il say to you here today that not
during our whole three hours confer
ence did / mention to Mr. Lawson the
name &c amy -vahiAes -e.ssSsssss< .tssst-4sss
has mentioned here today"
Washington, Jan. 15-Secretary Nc
Adoo was the cabinet member to whom
Thomas w. Lawson referred in his
previous testimony before the leak"
Investigators as being connected, he
said, with "leak" on President Will
sons recent peace message, Lawson
testified today.
Lawson testified that Chairman
Henry of the rules committee was the
representative who told him that a
cabinet officer, member of congress
and banker were said to have profit
ed in the stock market by advance in
formation on President Wilson's re-
cent peace note.
Lawson said that the banker who
told him he knew another banker who
dominated cabinet officer in Wash
ington was Archibanld S. White of
White & Co., Boston. The committee
Immediately issued subpoena for
White.
Lawson said he could not give the
names of any members of congress
who were engaged in buying and sell
ing stocks.
Lawson also testified that Mrs. Ruth
Tomlinson Visconti of Washington had
told him that w. w. Price, correspond
ent of the Washington Star at the
White House, had part in the leak
affair beween Secretary Tumulty and
others,
Lawson had been asked if he was
prepared to offer proof of his state
ments that there were beneficiaries
of the "leakp among the lawmakers
and others. He then took from his
pocket letter which he asked to sub
nit in private. The committee insist
ed that he read it. The letter was
from Mrs. Visconti.
Another banker lin the trinity to
whom Lawson referred as having also
involved in the "leak" was H. Pin
Fiske, of Harvey, Fiske & Sons, New
York, Lawson said. The senator, Law
son said, was born to him only as 70"
Ruth T. Visconti appears in the
Washington city directory as a clerk
living at 1921 Twenty-frst street, an
apartment house.
The letter which lawson read fol-
lows:
"My dear Mr.. Lawson:--lf the name
of the man who was the go-between
in the present peace leak and the
amount of money be of assistance to
you, / can supply the name and the
amount he received and give the name
Of at least one assistant at the White
house who participated in the haul
The letter went on to offer to make
an appointment, which, Mr.. Lawson
made with Mrs. yisconti, who, IN the
presence of her attorney, gave hlm
the name Of Mr.. Price and Secretary
McAdoo.
Asked by Representative Henry, who
he meant when he said he could give
the name of go-between who recelv-
ed large sum for his "bit," Lawson
said he referred to the name given