The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-09

ness, they quoted from letters, tele.
, grams, and documents, they took
friendly tacks and they adopted hos.
tile tctics, but all were equally un.
availing.
The witness sat perfectly at ease
with his face toward the committee
men, looking his questioner straight
, in the eye, and with his back to the
crowd in the room. He seemed to
pay no heed whatever to the throng.
Above its laughter on frequent occa-
stons his own voice could be heard in
amplification of the remark which
caused the mirth. Above the confu-
sion caused by his several explosive
outbursts his stentorian voice could
be heard, and 1t was accompanied by
vigorous poundings on the stenog-
raphers' table.
Wrapped Up In .Phraseology.
The fact that the ink wells were
made to dance and the Etenographers'
books were thrown to the floor did
not seem to concern him. He was
wrapped up in the phraseology of his
defiance.
He struck straight from the should
er with his tongue, and his gestures
were those of a man who. wanted to
suit the actions to the words.
For the most OF the four hours and
half, however, he sat well forward
in his chair, with his head leaning
against his left hand on the back of
the witness chair.
Emphasized Meaning.
Now and then he straightened up
and leaned forward to emphasize to
the committee that he did not intend
answering questions propounded by
a committee which is to decide wheth-
co there Is enough here to warrant a
real investigation"
In his brushes with Congressman
Chiperfield, Lawson spoke in the most
deliberate manner, chose his words
well, and smile played over his face.
At one point when the audience
thought the two were on the verge
of blows, Lawson laughed heartily,
and his chortling was so infectious
that the crowd laughed with him.
Congressman Chiperfield, who did
much of the heckling of Lawson, &C.
cupied a seat at the northwest corner
OF the committee table, and about two
feet from the witness chair. After
Lawson had resented what he called
"side remark" Congressman Clipper
field said:
Promises to Do Duty.
81 intend to ask questions and make
objections as long as feel II my duty
to do SO. I refuse to be inundated
by this witness even though I am &C.
cupying the seat closest to him.
shall do my duty without fear"
you needn't fear me, you can move
youS chair a little closer" said Law
son.
Thank you, but 1 prefer to move
the other way" replied Congressman
Chiperfield, whereupon Lawson roar
ed with laughter and had to draw his
handkerchief to conceal, his convul-
sion of merriment over the rejoinder.
Az Fresh ms Ever.
At the conclusion of the four and
a half hours grilling the witness ap-
peared to be as fresh as when he first
took the stand. His low collar was
ruffied, and smiled as he greeted sew
eral score men and women who rush
ed up to chat with him.
81 hope / didn't get all the bricks"
he said to one member of Congress
who spoke to him.
mot by a jugful," replied the Con-
gresham. 81 am not on the commit
tee, but I was there all the time you
were on the stand and you more than
held your own"
They're not going to get anywhere
with me-" said Lawson with a twin
kle in his eye.
All Wait For Him.
Practically all the men and women
who attended the hearing waited out
side the caucus room to get "close
up" on the Boston financier.
He chatted with those he knew and
appeared Indifferent to the gaze Of
the crowd, the members of which
scrutinized his faultless attire, his
rudy complexion, his bristling mus
tache streaked with gray, his silver
headed stick. bright yellow gloves,
and shimmering patent leather shoes,
which were outlandishly small for
man Of his large stature.
."An About LAWSON
AS the Boston financier emerged
from the House office building a
newsboy rushed up to him and shout
ed: Evening paper! All about Law
SON."
The Bostonian laughed as he flick
ed a quarter to the news vender and
stuffed the paper into his pocket.
In company with a friend he met
at the hearing Lawson walked from
the Capitol to his Hotel with a light,
elastic step, and his frequent out
burst of laughter indicated very
care free mind.