The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-29
LAWSON STORY
FAKE, DECLARES
N. Y. FINANCIER
Pliny Fisk Denies He Was in
Pact With McAdOO.
Never Boosted Secretary Was
Under His Control.
REOPEN LEAK PROBE IN N. Y.
Committee Agrees to COnfine
Hearing to Peace Note Tip.
Mysterious Paper Shows Time
Iy Sale of 10000 Shares.
Never Boosted Secretary Was
Under His Control.
REOPEN LEAK PROBE IN n. Y.
Committee Agrees to COnfine
Hearing to Peace Note Tip.
Mysterious Paper Shows Time
Iy Sale of 10000 Shares.

New York, Jan. ga sweeping de-
NAL of all of Thomas w. Lawson's
charges against him, particularly his
alleged association with Secretary Nc
Adoo in Wall street deals, was made
today before the leak" investigation
committee by Pliny Fisk of Harvey
Fisk & Sons, New York bankers.
Among categorical denials made by
Fisk, were that he ever had a joint
account with McAdoo ana a 'Sena-
tor o. that he had told Archibald
White or any one else that he con-
trolled Secretary McAdoo and had Of
fered to call him out of bed at an
early morning hour to answer tele-
phone call, and that he had received
any advance information regarding
President Wilson's recent peace note.
Asked if his firm had ever enjoyed
any advantages in transactions with
the treasury department, Fisk replied
negatively. He admitted that after
suggesting TO Secretary McAdoo that
offices in a building his firm owned
would be suitable for the federal re-
serve bank he had leased the offices
to the government
Leased Offices to Reserve Bank.
After denying at the leak inquiry
today that his firm had ever Teceiv-
ed from the treasury department ANY
advantages which any other Wall
street firm might not have received"
PltnV Fisk admitted the federal re-
serve bank had leased offices in
building owned by his firm after he
had suggested TO Secretary McAdoo
tnat the Offices were best adapted of
;tu, Al the street
Fisk tte first witness called.
He was brought into the inquiry by
inomas ". lawson, declaring at the
> nIlgron that Archi
bald White told him Fisk had boosted
IL H.iI 1llIt lie controlled Secretary
McAdoo and had offered late ono
night 10 summon McAdoo from his
bed by telephone Lawson also said
he has heard Fisk was connected with
Co. .s---~~ .iJ-@ leak.
Wants Lawson Behind Ears
Later the banker declared: Il new
or talked, dreamed of, or imagined
pool for stock market speculation
with MIR McAdoo or any other govern
Inent official our business is not
stock Ssanff5ling.
Fisk made the voluntary statement
;haL he sim thought Lawson's state
nent probably was the result of a
"disordercd brain and severely cTiti-
C.sed him for dragging the name u
Harvey Fisk & sons into the inquiry.
Lawson should be taken at his
word, Fisk said. ''and placed behind
the bars on the basis of perjury when
he want0nly handles the name of a
reputable citizen. If his statement is
the result of Jisordered brain, as ii
appears to be, perhaps the good Lord
viii take care of it in his own way"
Lawson, it developed today. ha1
heen ordered to remain in touch with
the committee as he may be recalled
ut any time.
Decision to call Fisk was reached
today at an executive session of the
committee and it's counsel Sherman
l.. Whipple.
The meeting was entirely harmon
ious and all agreed that the inquiry
now should he directed specifically
to the alleged peace note leak
Bennett Holds "MysterioUS Paper
Just before the hearing opened
Representative Bennett said the nys-
terious paper" in his possession