The Washington times., 1917-01-18
LANSING DENIES HE
EYER MET BARUCH
Brands as Utterly False Charge
of Conference With Wall
Street Operator.
CONTINUED from FRS, Pass)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
Untermeyer is said TO be still strong
with several OF the Democrats, despite
the fact that the Republicans have
hled vigorous protest against his Sc
lection. Chairman Henry. who was
laid up In bed yesterday with an at
tacks Of tonsilitis. was able to at
tend the meeting.
From present indications the pub
lie hearings win be resumed before
next week, It being understood that
any lawyer engaged would want at
least several days to go over the
testimony already taken.
Democrats Badly Split.
At 1880 o'clock today the Demo-
Gratis of the Rules Committee ad-
5ourned their conference after fall
ing to reach an agreement concern
ing the selection Of counsel for the
committee.
1t is understood that the Demo-
cratic members are badly split.
Considerable gossip was caused
about the Capitol this afternoon when
1t was learned that Postmaster Gen.
eral Burleson, one OF the chief po-
litical advisers of the Administration,
was in conference behind locked
doors with the Democrats OF the
Rules Committee.
Burleson Drops In.
One Of the members Of the commit
tee was rather evasive later In dis
cussing Mr.. Burleson's appearance at
the Capitol and this member seemed
surprised that the report had spread
that Mr.. Burleson was on hand.
He explained that the visit of the
Postmaster General was informal,
and that he had merely dropped in"
at the conference to discuss the gen.
eral situation in the leak investiga-
tion, and suggested no one for attor-
ney.
Majority Leader Ritchin and so1ici-
tor General Davis also attended the
conference.
The deadlocked Democrats, who
have q dozen names before them, will
go into conference again this after
noon. Thomas w. Lawson, of Boston,
Is reported to have written the COM
man Whipple, one Of the leaders Of
the New England bar.
Came Here To Testify.
Frank A. vanderlip, Pliny Fisk,
Archibald White and Stuart Gibboney
were among the bankers and bust
ness men who came to Washington
with the expectation of testifying
yesterday or today. The committee,
however, suddenly decided not to pro-
ceed without counsel and by practic-
ally unanimous vote the House author
H. 90
gage an attorney, but expert account
ants familiar with stock exchange
matters.
The action of the House was vtr-
tually a demand that the 'leak" IN
vestigation be OF the most sweeping
sort, and II Is believed the Rules
Committee, in an investigation OF
thirty days, will scratch far beneath
the surface, and the investigation will
cease to be called q preliminary in
Quiry. Technically, the Pules Commit
tee has power only to make q prelir1-
mary investigation. but its powers
have been SO broadened and extended
that the inquiry has now taken on
the proportions of q probe by a select
committee.
Morgan To be Examined.
J. p. Morgan and Henry P. Davi-
son, OF the firm OF J. p. Morgan & Co.,
are among the witnesses to be ex-
amined soon afteS~the investigation Is
resumed. Mr.. Morgan telephoned
Robert Gordon, sergeant-at-arms Of
the House, that he would hold himself
In readiness to take a train to Wash
ington whenever needed.
Approximately q dozen witnesses,
Including the mysterious Mrs. Ruth
Thomason Visconti, were available
for the committee yesterday when 1t
stopped its investigation to go to the
House and ask for an attorney. II
was learned that Mrs. Visconti Is
hiding out" from interviewers and
curiosity seekers, but that the SER
geant-at-arms knows Of her exact
whereabouts, and when called she
will report at the committee room In
less than a half hour.
Members of the Rules Committee
probably will announce the selection
of counsel today. The, investigation
will be renewed as quickly as the at
torney can reach Washington and
signify his preparedness to proceed.
Mcsweeney In Charge.
Mr.. Lawson, who left town last
night for Boston. left his Washington
interests in charge OF his confidential
man, Edward A MoSweneey. Mr.. Nc
Sweeney differs nom his principal in
being able to avoid the spotlight of
publicity.
When asked what he was doing to-
dav his reply was that he was doing
as little as possible. He admires en-
erEy in the abstract, but expresses
the hope that he will not be COM
pelled to go further.
Mr.. McSweeney was for long time
connected with the staff Of the New
York Times before going with Mr..
Lawson, about eleven years ago.
He is a quiet and exceptionally mod
est appearing young man, whose gen
eral demeanor is not always indica-
tive of the smoothness, speed and ef'
ficiency with which he handles the
..&.-a oop,rnitfed fO him by the BOS-