Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-01-30
Financier FIatIy Denies Ever
Having BoaSted of InfIu-
ence With Secretary of
Treasury MCAdoo.
PLINEY FISK TELLS
OF RENTING OFFICES
Bernstorff's Name Figures
Again in Investigation, but
Purpose of WhippIe's Ques-
tons Is Not Disclosed,
tsr aosr,so JOURNAL srrcl.l LsAsso ~pAs,

tsy MORNING JOURNAL srEcIsL LEASED wIsxI
New York, Jan. 29.--Some of the
most sensational charges of Thomas
w. Lawson, made in testifying recent
ly in the house rules committee "leak'
investigation. were .vehemently denied
today by Plney Fisk and Archibald S.
White, two widely known New York
financlers, when they appeared hero
before the congressional inquisitors.
Mr.. Fisk, named by Lawson as the
banker member of an alleged trio
composed Of cabinet member. Secre-
tary McAdoo, member of congress,
known as Senator o." and banker.
who had joint account IN Wall
street, declared emphatically that no
such combination ever existed.
White, who was declared by Lawson
to have told him that Fisk had boast
ed to him that he controlled Secretary
McAdoo, and had offered to call the
secretary from his bed by telephone
lat 1870 o'clock in the morning to
prove his assertion, insisted that Law.
son was "romancing." -.
Probe to End Soon.
AS result of this denial commit
teemen tonight expressed the belief
that the length of the hearings here
| had been shortened materially. Some
said they would close within three or
! four dayss.if unexpected Developments
DO not arise. Examination of certain
stock exchange records for thirteen
days preceding the sending of the
presidents peace note, of several
bankers and brokers regarding gen.
eral financial conditions during this
period and further examination of
Barney Baruch. 'short seller" and
a few minor witnesses, is expected to
bring the end here. The committee
now is intending to bring the inquiry
to a close with an investigation only
of the alleged peace note leak"
Bernstorfrs Name Appears.
The name of Count Won Bernstorff
was again brought into the inquiry to-
day in questions put to Mr. White, but
with what purpose was not made
known. Sherman L. Whipple, counsel
for the committee. wanted to know IL
Just prior to the publication of the
presidents note, Mr.. White had ar
ranged meeting between the Ger
man ambassador and Lawson. Mr..
White, after saying that he had fire.
quently entertained Bernstorff at his
home here and that they we're friends
of long standing testified that Lawson
had sought to have him arrange
meeting with the ambassador, but that
the request had been made at least
year and a half ago. He said the re-
quest had come to him through Law
sons Confidential man. McSweeney.r
and that he had told McSweeney to
arrange the meeting himself. White
said he did not know whether the
meeting ever took place.
Met Lawson Frequently.
Mr.. Wlhipple inquired closely into
Mr.. Whites friendship with Lawson
during the period prior to the publi-
cation Of the note. He developed
that tho two frequently met in New
York, but White would not admit that
they discussed the stock market spec
ulation and the effect that the war
and peace situation would have on
the market, except in general terms"
While Mr.. Fisk admitted close
business associations with Mr.. Nc
Adoo prior to the latter's entering the
cabinet the banker insisted that since
that time their relations had been
largely social and that he had leaned
backward insofar as seeking favors
from the secretary was concerned.
The last business dealing he had
with Mr.. McAdoo was in connection
with the sale of an excess of $4,000
worth of securities which, he said.
the secretary left with the firm OF
Harvey Fisk 4 Sons for disposal when
he became a cabinet member. This
account was closed on January Is,
1914.
Lease of Building.
Mr.. Whipple, however, ELECTED from
the banker a statement that the Fed
eral Reserve bank of New York had
taken a lease for a year and half of
offices owned by the bankers firm.
Mr.. Fisk admitted that he had sug'-
gested to the secretary that the Oh
fices were we'll adapted to the use
of the bank, but said this suggestion
had been made weeks before the
lease was executed"
The committee then called the
manager of the Fisk office building.
Kenyon p. Conger. who recited the
for the lease. He said
he had made an offer of the offices
70 the Federal Reserve bank, which
was at first declined. but later an
agreement was reached which led to