Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-06
NO CHARGES ARE MADE
IN GIVING TESTIMONY
Information on Which Probe Is
Demanded Received in Let
ter From "A. Curtis"
COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING
Author of Resolution Unsuccessful
i'm Attempt to BE Heard in
Executive Session.


WASHlNGToN. January 5.-sensa-
Street in advance Of President Wilson's
peace note were related to the House
Rules Committee to-day by Represent
tati>c Wood. Of indiana. III support of
his resolution for an inquiry. He pre-
faced his testimony with the state
ment that lie had nothing but hearsay
evidence to offer, and vainly protested
against an open session of the COM
mittcc.
Names and rumorcd details OF the
alleged leak came thick and fast
when Mr. Wood began his story. He
mentioned Joseph /. Tumulty. secre-
tary 10 President Wilson; r. w. Boil
ing. II brother -iu-law OF tho President:
bernard Baruch. of New York, and
various brokerage houses. creditlng
most of his information to a letter
received from ~. Curtis" of New
York. This letter. produced later, was
written on plain paper, without the
writer's address. and up to late hour
to-day Kenneth Romny. deputy SER
gcant Tor the House In New York
searching for the man. had been un-
able Ia find any trace of him
Statements were issued after the
committee meeting by Secretary Tu-
multy and Mr. Boiling hatly denying
tho allegations against them. and Mr..
Tumulty demanding that Representa-
tive Wood publicly apologize for men
tioning him. Mr. Wood followed with
a statement pointing out that he had
desired to testify in private. but that
those whose names We're the subject
OF rumor should court the fullest in
reStigat ion.
Tomorrow the committee probably
will hear Representative Gardner. who
declared on tho floor of the House re-
Gently that he knew there was a
leak" On Monday Thomas W. Law
son. OF Boston. is to appear. and il he
can he reached. Bernard Baruch will
he suhpoencd.
LANSING AND rUMII.TY
WILL BE ASKED TO TESTIFY
1t is understood that Secretary Lam
sing and Mr.. Tumulty will be asked to
testify before the committee decides
on its report TO the House on whether
the Wood resolution. providing for an
Investigation, should pass.
Nh"n Secretary Tumulty learned that
Representative Wood had mentioned
his nam" he issued formal statement
demanding public apology. and deny
inS fatty that he even knew of the
Presidents peace note before it was
made public.
Secretary Tumulty's statement fol-
lows:
II am very glad to say publicly that
did not know of the existence OF the
Presidents note on peace until tn,
| newspapers were informed
Very frequently the President. who
knows that l am bombarded By news
paper men and others for information,
saves me embarrassment by keeping
matters absolutely secret. In fact I
| have often suggested that this be done
Il have not been al the Biltmore in
year. never talked about peace with
| Mr. Baruch before or after the peace
| note was sent, and never lunched with
! him in my life.
/ Il have met him as have great
/ many good friends from time to time
| IN hotels, at the thcatcr and else
where
~ Presidents secretary meets
great many people every day. and 1t Is
I very easy for some ono to circulate
rnmors based as Mr.. Wood says. solely
on hearsay.'
/ II think Mr. wood owes me a public
apology for mentioning my name at
all merely on hcarsay and rumor."
HAHICH ~ CONSTELLATION
WITH TT aIILTi AT NEW YORK
:" am Informed" Wood testified.
that I'arney Baruch had information
/ about the lansing note to the Euro
pean helliSerents two or three days
before il was sent and that on two
Inn
lie was in consultation with Mr. Tu-
multy nt the Biltmore Hotel in New
/ York
Wood rualified his statement with
a declaration that what information
f,hc had was only hearsay.
liaruch's Office in New York. Wood
said, he understood is fitted with
private wires running to various brok.
crs' Offices
i Representative Bennet member Of
the committee. said on the House floor
on Wednesday that Iiaruch was re-
! ported in New York To have sold short
/ 1000 shares OF United States Steel
IN rising market shortly before the
note was made public.
/ At the outset. Representative Camp-
| bell, OF Kansas. moved TO subpoena
Secretary Lansing, Secretary Tumulty.
Saruch and Thomas W. Lawson. He
was prevailed upon by other members
TO withdraw his motion, but he said
| he would make It again later.
Wood objected strenuously to testify.
ing in public. 54ss@
/ What information he had regarding
the so-calied leak. lie said, was only
hearsay, and he feared that the maxi
ing OF this public would Interfere with
| obtaining witnesses. ts 81