Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-02-09
LAWSON CHARGES
BASED ON RUM0R
Leak Inquiry Blows Up
When Star Witness Testifies
Before Committee.
MAY BE DISBANDED IN WEEK
Mrs. Ruth Visconti Admits
That Her Information Was
Based on Child's Remarks.

WASHINGTON. Feb. S-Another
promised sensation IN the leak in
curry flattcncd out today with the
long-awaited testimony of Mrs Ruth
Thomson Nisconti. the mysterious in.
formant, on whose statements Thomas
W. Lawson based some Of his most
dramatic charges.
Declining to say publicly who told
her mat Secretary TImulty and W.
W. Price, White House correspond
cnt, prOfitcd by advance information
on the peace note Mrs. Niscont re
vealed TO the investigating committee
In confidence, that all her Information
came from remarks OF Prices young
daughter.
Immediately afterward Price tool,
the stand. reiterated his denial of
profiting by Information obtained H.
confidence and said he had reasons
10 believe 'he rumor repeated by Mrs.
Nisconti started from chance observa-
tions 10y members of his family that
he could have SO profited.
Interest Says.
\ crowd that iammed the commit
tee room to hear the sensational
resume of capitol gossip. which II had
been reported Mrs NiSconti might at
conceal its disappointment at the
hrcvity of her testimony. The few
questions asked here were confined
sharply to the rumors OF a leak and
after she left the stand II was an
nounccd that she would not be re
called.
Tonight congressional interest In
the inquiry had lapsed almost to the
point Of apathy and there was defi-
mite feeling in the committee that an
other week probably would sec its
conclusion.
Another hearing will be held in
New York Wednesday to receive re-
ports OF investigators who have eX-
.amined brokerage records, but
whether any sessions will follow the
committees return here has not been
disclosed.
From Child's Playmate.
Mrs Nsconu refused on her Con
stitutional rights" to give the name Of
her informant. but agreed to write It
on n slip Of paper The committee
considered the testimony in executive
session and the name Mrs. Nisconti
gave was not made public. 1t was re-
ported TO be that of a playmate Of
the Price child.
Mr. Lawson Unexpectedly appeared
In the committee room just before
Mrs. Nisconti took the stand. con-
ferred briefly with her. sat behind her
during the examination and left the
building when she was excused. He
said that he came here only because
he had promised Mrs. Nisconti he
would see that she was treated fairly
by the committee.
Printers Examined.
Routine examination Of employees of
the government printing office oc-
Cupied much of todays session. Two
more Washington newspaper men, y.
O. Messenger OF the Washington star
and Thomas T.. Logan of the Wash
ington Post and Wall Street Journal,
also testified. Messenger Corroborated
the testimony of w. Il. Hibbs, local
broker that he formerly employed
Messenger to advise him regarding
current events in Washington and
also admitted that on the night of
December 20 he talked to T.. 5. Little.
a New York broker, about the prcsi-
dents peace note. Logan merely told
of writing on December 20 an cdito-
rial item for the Wall Street journal
based. he said. on information given
him by Secretary Tumulty that the
president did not contemplate sending
a peace note soon.
Government printing office en-
ploVes and newspaper men who on
December 20 were told confdcntally
by Secretary Lansing of the coming
note will be examined tomorrow.