Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-31
.PROBERS NARROW
NOTE LEAK TRAIL
Boiling Firm Clipped Off,
Hutton Concern and Mes
sages Went Out
NEW SUM MONS ISSUED

| NEW YORK, Jan. 3t.-The time of the
| now famous leak" of President Wilson's s
| peace note was definitely established today
as between 1888 and "a o'clock on the
afternoon of December 20 In those fifty
six minutes some one tipped off Wall street
and thereby brought about one of the big
gest crashes the street has seen In years.
Steady hammering by Sherman H. Whip
pie, counsel to the congressional committee
investigating the leak brought this out at
today's hearing.
Il. f. Hutton, a youthful broker, who ad-
mtted his firm received information from
Washington, declared he made $4,000 by
selling short in the hectic days between
December 12 and 49, The first informa-
tion concerning the Presidents peace move
that his office received, he said, came from
f. A. Connolly Il co. at Washington, of
which r. w Boiling, brother-in-aw of
President Wilson, is partner.
AN ACCURATE TIP
Whipple took the telegram which Hutton
Co. sent out to their various connections
on the fateful day to narrow down the time
of the leak. He showed that at 1858 n
flash" was put out saying 1t was "re-.
ported" the State Department was going
to make peace move. Just fifty-slx min
utes later a "confidential' message was
sent out by the Hutton people. containing
the absolute information that the note had
been sent and furthermore a startlngly ac-
curate forecast OF its contents.
Hutton couldn't explain this. The mes
sages were prepared he said, by one of
his partners. George a. Ellis, who is now
in the South for his health A summons
for his immediate appearance in New York
was issued at once. at the committees re-
quest 1t will take him two days to get
here. it was said
IIuttons books which he submitted to
the committee, showed that Connolly a. co.
were not short to any great extent from
december to 23. Never in that period,
according to Hutton's figures. was the Con-
nolly-Bollng concern 'short" more than
400 shares
Hutton resumed the stand at 10 o'clock.
He said he was not certain whether any
message from Connolly had been received
at his office before the Clement inquiry
from Chicago. Furthermore, he did not
know of any one in his office who would
know
cant you find out?" demanded Sher-
man L. Whpple, the attorney.
"l'll try"
Hutton was admittedly 'hazy' concern
ing the various kilograms which came
and went from his office on December 90.
THE 1858 FLASH"
Whpple queried the broker specifically
concerning a flash" sent out over his
wires at 1888 p. M, saying that it was
reported the State. Department was pre-
pairing a peace move. The information
Hutton said, was put out by a telegraph
operate: named Toomey. Where ToumeY
got his information, Hutton said he did
not know. 1t was probable Toomey will
be called to testify.
The questioning developed that the an
swer to Chicago's query saying "our WASH
ington wires have given us similar informa-
ton Ohe peace move), was not written
by Hutton himself, but by Ellis Another
partner, Barrett also had something to do
with the various kilograms He is sick in
bed.
Hutton habtualy pleaded that he could
not be expected to explain what informa-
ton his partner had had when he sent out
the confidential notice to his correspondents
that a note to belligerents and neutrals had
been issued. Ellis. he said was about fifty
miles from Savannah, Ga.
The committee then decided to send tele-
graphic summons at once to Ellis to come
to New York.
Hutton declared the fact that Boiling was
member of Connolly & Co. in no way in
fuenced his selection of the concern as
Washington correspondent.
Whipple abandoned the questioning then
and members of the committee piled him
with various inquiries.
Hutton admitted under questioning by
Representative Bennet that he didn't believe
the leak" was prevalent in the street.
NOT GENERALLY KNOWN
Barney Baruch, speculator, Presi-
dent Noble, an odd-lot dealer, and Pliny
Fisk, an investment banker, all testified
they knew nothing of the leak, which would
indicate the news was not generally known,
wouldn't it?" asked Bennett.
Yes"
Hutton again and again declined to. an
swer questions concerning the teegrams
saying that Ellis would have to explain
them.
Hutton said he didn't think the news
papermen had violated their condolences.
"As matter Of fact" he continued
warmly, II don't think there is any leak
Here are my books-they show that Con-
molly * Co lost instead of making money
during this period. If they had had any |
advance information tney would certainly |
not have lost money. The books speak for |
themselves"
Representative Chiperfield, of Illinois. at |
tempted to get Hutton to admit that the |
industrial stocks were sacrificed in the crash |
in order to save the railroads which he said |
were protected by Morgan and other bir |
interests.
Hutton denied this The industriaIs were |
hardest hit, he said. because they were |
"top-heavy' and selling for more money |
than they were worth.