The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-21
Mrs. ViscOnti's Story Will
 Enliven Leak Probe Even
 if It Does Not Convince
(cOntinued from Page one)

puted to be widow. It Is said that once upon a time she was connected with the Burns agency. and that she performed clever detective work in the anthracite or other coal strike or dispute At present 1t is said that she, is engaged as a stenographer. When it is recalled that it is already written that she is pretty, petite and withal a blonde; that she is clever from a standpoint of mentality, and that one does not know whether she possesses heart-stuff or soul-stuff, the picture is complete.
 This woman, accompanied by her attorney, appeared one night in Tom I.awson's apartment at the Shoreham hotel. The Boston financier had just previously declared that advanced in- formation had reached Wall street tha. the President had dispatched note to Europe urging peace. The inn putation was that someone close to the President had played him false and by so doing. had become. as a matter of fact, a traitor to his country. This woman, Mrs. Visconti. told MT. Law sen that there was information which he and Congress should possess. That information was to this effect:
 HER INFORMATION
 "Joe Tumulty, the Presidents sec retary, had an information pipe line leading from the executive offices into the very maw of Wall street; that the pipe line. or the "go-between," was man of long and honorable service"
 There you are. Very soon thereafter Mir. Lawson was a witness before the rules committee of the House He was forced to tell from where he had obtained certain hearsay evidence. He begged ai- most with tears that he be excused. The committed however, was obdurate. In order, therefore, that he might not be sent to jail, he declared that Mrs. Visconti had told him that Tumulty was unfaith- full and that his Friday in crime was Price.
 It was a sensation. Everybody made dive for Mrs Visconti. But she had dis appeared. The sergeant-at-arms of the House, several detectives, a score and more of newspaper men maintained a sleepless watch to the front of her apart ment Two nights later, a light myste- riously sparkled in the bedroom. re- porter knocked at the door. It was opened by Mrs. Visconti.
 What will you have?''
 The demand came like a shot She made the strongest appearance with the smallest stature that one could imagine. The reporter was nonplussed, of course. He asked, while whirling his hat in his hands, if the lady was Mrs. Visconti.
 Yes she replied What of it?"
 T just wanted to know" returned the newsgatherer. And thinking very rapidly the while taking in the lady from head to feet-he added, "a gentleman who would see you is downstairs
 Send the detective up" she responded and slammed the door. The sergeant-at- arms climbed the two flights of steps and served the papers. The woman stated that she would testify.
 BELIEF IN HUMILITY
 What can she say? Surely, nothing.
 No one in Washington believes that Secretary Tumulty is in the slightest de- gree or the most indirect sense respon- sible for the leak No one believes that MT. Price has had anything to do with the unfortunate situation Why, then, did Mrs. Visconti go to such extremes. to such unusual trouble to whisper their names into the ear of Tom Lawson? Why was she accompanied by an attorney whose name MT. Lawson has forgotten What did she mean? How will she explain her blunder? Will she break down on the stand and in tears of contrition de- clare that she was at that time full of rage? She will not. For then some heart less inqusitor would require her to state the cause of her anger. And she couldn't.
 For everybody knows that she has had no cause to be angry with either Humility or Price. The former is one of the most patient, considerate and painstaking men in public life. The latter is South Caro- linian of that school which requires it's followers always to be chivalrous. It is just as impossible that either could have offended Mrs. Visconti as that either could have betrayed trust.
 So, what is behind it all? Testimony very soon, will tell the story. In the meantime, one in ignorance must content himself with the knowledge that the Teak is now interesting and that it does contain a certain spice which Lawson of