The Washington times., 1917-01-08

Henry. Have you those documents
with youo'
THE newspapers often inadvertent-
/ ly state that which does not exist,
said the financier.
Papers Only Documents.
Lawson said the only documents
he had were today's papers.
"Have you any information in a
! legal or any other way that would
connect anybody at the White House
| with this leak?' inquired Chairman
Henry.
Lawson paused for a moment and
| then slowly replied:
mo, not in a legal way"
'1n what other way?" asked Henry.
''You don't want to come before this
committee and reflect on even the
humblest employee at the White House
without stating in what way you have
the information, do your"
81 don't want to reflect on anybody,
but have been told all sorts of things
about a great number of people," said
Lawson.
would you exclude the President
from among those about whom you
have heard rum1fs?" asked the chair
man.
Wouldn't Include Wilson.
81 wouldn't even allow him to en-
ter my MINI in connection with such
a disloyal act" said Lawson.
When asked il he would exclude
Secretary Lansing and those in the
State Department, Lawson said this
was not a fair question, and that the
committee ought not to put it up to
him to make a statement which
would reflect on any public official.
You have enough information to
justify an investigation without my
saying anything more. i decline to
give you any names of persons who
profited by the leak or Of persons
who can tell you where to get the
information about the leak, If you
haven't that information already
said Lawson. Il am not here to fur
nish headlines for the newspapers.
nor ammunition for the members of
Congress-"
At this juncture came the recess,
with Mr.. Lawson still on the stand.
When the committee called Lawson
he stepped smilingly to the witness
chair. The fireworks financier was
in his element He beemed at every
Rules Committee member once, and
at each of the score of newspaper
men tgice.
He was told to proceed in your
own way-please."
His first remark caused some to
smile, and Chairman Henry to look
glum.
81 have reason to believe I will be
Cfnnrad Il aV.Ia -
marked. Asked his occupation, Law.
son, for the first time in his life
hemmed before finally getting out
Brings Out Roar.
Well, Wen call 1t farmer" and a |
Well" he added, 81 have been in
roar ensued.
the financial business. but Pm now a |
farmer"
After explaining his lawyer had adj |
vfsed him the committee had no right |
10 demand answers or productions of |
papers, and adding that he does not |
purpose to stand on that right" Law
son said, there have been leaks from |
the United States Supreme Court, as |
well as from the White House"
"AH He Considers Advisable
81 mgoing to proceed to lay before
this committee all that l consider adj |
visable TO show up this damnable sit |
uation that has existed for the past two |
years. and to help stop such thing as /
happened the other day when many |
citizens lost S2OOo0O0.O0O." Lawson said
We'll. proceed" interrupted Henry
shortly.
81 do not understand" Lawson said,
that this committee is sitting to haul !
any guilty persons out in the open
and punish them.
Il will repeat what I have told
newspapers: that there have been
leaks, and that thousands and tens
Of thousands OF persons have been
robbed.
Says LenISs Arc Common.
81 repeat it now. one of the COM
honest things in Wall Street where
all these things center is a WASH
ngton leak on things of such i'm
1ortance that they affect the prices
IF stocks.
II mean by that leaks from the Su-
Dreme Court of the United States,
rom the Senate. advance information
rom Cabinet officers. advance infor-
nation even direct from the White
House"