The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-02-01
U-BOAT WAR CRISIS
HALTS LEAK PROBE
Inquiry Committeeman Thrown
Into Near-anic by German
Declaration.
tcontinued from FIr,t Page.l

CONTINUED from First Page.)
which Francis "a. Connolly was the
first witness, returning to Washing
ton this afternoon on the Congress
sional limited.
Chairman Henry was not inclined to
commit himself on the question
whether or not the committee should
suspend II was understood that &C
ton on suspension might be taken in
a closed meeting The members of
the committee had all succeeded in
pairing OF at the ratio 2 to 1, &C
cording to the proportion required to
avoid the Presidential veto, so that
they were not concerned by the immi-
grafton question before the House.
Ellis To Appear sunday.
When the hearing was resumed at
1880 Edward F. Hutton, head of the
hrm Of Hutton and Company. was re-
called. He was asked what efforts
the arm had made to insure the ap-
pearance OF George A. Ellis, Jr., be-
fore the committee. Mr.. Hutton said
that in response to their telegram,
Ellis had replied that he would be
back Sunday"
This appeared to be not altogether
satisfactory to members OF the con-
mittee. but Hutton explained that
Ellis was at hunting lodge, seventy
miles from Savannah. Ga, and that IT
was possible that he either did net
understand the urgency of the sum-
mons, or that he couldn't get an
earlier train. 1t was Ellis, according
TO Hutton's testimony who initiated
and sent out to all the firms cor
respondents the Connally forecast of
the Wilson peace note. Hutton said
that nobody but Ellis was In a posi-
tion to explain certain changes in the
text which rendered the information
more definite.
Can't Obtain ORIGINAL.
When asked whether his firm had
"tell-tale" in its office device
which automatically records. In Morse
symbols. all incoming and outgoing
messages. Mr.. Hutton said that they
had one on their Western wire, but
not on their Southern-the Washing
ton wire.
Then" said Mr.. whipple. this dis
poses oftall effort to obtain the orig
inal record OF the telegram from Con-
molly"
Yes" said Mr.. Hutton. =
Francis A. Connolly, head of the
Washington firm of F. A. Connolly q
Co.. Of which R. W. Boiling. the PresI-
dents brother-in-law IL a member
when recalled to the witness stand
this morning by the peace note leak
investigators at the Customs House
was unable to recall any particular
persons who had furnished him with
the gossip" that made up his strik-
ingly accurate forecast Of the Wilson
peace note.
Connolly Refuses Names.
Mr.. Connolly was under instructions
from Counselor whipple to consider
carefully overnight the matter of
who gave him the gossip on which
he based his correct prophecy. Mr..
Connolly refused to mention any
names. He pleaded that he ought
not to be required to drag In the
names OF friends Of customers. He
said that he was prepared to stick
In every particular to his original
story.
Counselor whipple followed course
in cross-examining Connolly that in
dicated his belief that the witness
could give names II he choose to. A
member of the committee when in
formed that the witness did not re-
gard his prediction as to the con-
tents OF the peace note as remark
able in any degree. said sarcastically.
IF you compare the note with your
telegram you will consider your pow
ers Of prophecy quite remarkable"
Counselor whipple was also sar-
castle occasionally, and from no side
of the committee was there any pro-
test with regard to the comparatively
rough manner in which he handled
the suavest witness yet to appear.
BolIinE's Entry Discussed.
Congressman Campbell. speaking in a
heavy voice. dragged Connolly through
events leading up to the addition Of R
w. Boiling to the Connolly firm. He de-
MED Bolllng's connections had anything
to do with his investment Of $4,000 in
the Connolly firm.
Isn't Il a fact" Campbell Numbered.
that Mr.. Boiling was a struggling
young real estate dealer in Washing
TOM"
Il would not call the owner OF one Of
the biggest department stores in WASH
Ington a struggling young man." Con-
molly replied.
Campbell wound up by asking regard
ing speculations OF members Of the Con-
molly firm
Unable to Force Admission.
Congressman Chiperheld tried with
out success to get an admission from
Connolly that rumor could not have
prompted the message wiring to Hut
ton & Co. of the peace note.
ChiperfieId expressed doubt that
said occasionally speculated. Con
ill. L. In rah hin tir, IN ma frn,,, anr,,n