The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-09
Cabinet Officer and Senator In
volved in Wall st. Tip.
Threatened With Contempt, He
Refuses to Name Them.
WOULD Be NATIONAL DISASTER
Promises to State Names l
House Orders 1t.
Says What He Seeks Is Regula-
ton of Stock Gambling.

Washington, Jan. 9.-The leak in
curry seemed to make it's first prog
ress toward some definite point today
when Thomas w. Lawson, after much
questioning and urging, promised that
should the house order a formal in
quiry he would disclose the names of
the cabinet officer, the senator and the
New York broker, who, he said,
congressman told him were engaged
in a stock gambling partnership ana
had profited thru advance information
of President Wilson's peace note. 10
disclose the names to the house rules
committee Lawson repeatedly refused
even when confronted with three sep
arate resolution to put him in con-
tempt. for two reasons
First, he contended the rules COM
mittee had no power to conduct
thoro investigation including one OF
the stock exchange, such as he urged,
and he would not be assured of an
Investigation if he disclosed the names
The second, Lawson said, he consid-
cred that disclosure of the names at
this time would have a disastrous ef-
! feet for the country and the admin
istration. In preference to that he
preferred being punished for con-
tempt of congress. Congressman
questioned, cross examined and plead
| ed in vain with the Boston financier
! to give the names of the informing
congressman, the cabinet officer or the
senator.
Cloud Over Entire Congress.
sI cannot name the cabinet officer
to whom 1 have referred without men,
tioning another official of higher po-
sition," said Lawson, land that would
be more serious than if 1 cast cloud
over the entire congress and was sent
to Jail myself for life"
All thru his testimony, Lawson hint
ed at names higher up" but no
him down to a definite statement.
When the committee recessed for
luncheon the members seemed to
think they had gone as far as they
could with Lawson at this stage so
| they excused him as a witness tenn
porarily, but told him to remain with
in jurisdiction of the committee until
the resolutions putting him in con-
tempt are disposed Of.
/ At todays hearing, Lawson frankly
acknowledged he was more interested
| in a congressional investigation of the
New York stock exchange which
would result in remedial legislation
than he was in investigating the
leak" on President Wilson's peace
note. In the course of the discussion
of the unnamed trio of whom the
| congressman is said to have spoken,
Lawson declared he not only would
give a special committee their names
but also the amounts of money they
were supposed to have made from
stock transa ctions. Lawson promised
to furnish competent testimony.
Can Name Amounts, Too.
will you give their names?" Chair
man Henry asked.
st will go further" said Lawson.
81 will name the amounts of money
great amounts of money. More than
100000"
Representative Garrett then de-
manded that Lawson give the names
and when he reiterated his refusal
Mr. Garrett introduced a motion to
! compel him to answer. 1t was laid
aside for action with the three pend
ing contempt resolutions.
! Lawson said he believed in federal
regulation of the stock exchange.
The financier again today was ask
ed the name of the New York bank
err who told him "a cabinet officer
had profited by the leak to Wall
street. Again he refused.
I'll take you or any other mem
Der out in the cloak room and tell
you confidentially," retorted Lawson
belligerently, leaning toward the
questioner. But won't tell it here
Thereupon Representative Bennett