Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-17
Lawson Convicts Himself

II Chairman Henry, of the House Committee
on Rules. were alone in denying statements
made by Tom Lawson. there might be per-
sons in the country willing TO believe Lawson
and doubt Mr. Henry. The fact is, however.
that every statement Lawson has made in
connection with this leak inquiry. has been
denied by the man from whom Lawson has
asserted he obtained his Information.
When the naive Representative Wood was
retailing his backs,airs Washington gossip
OF the floor of the House. Lawson was offer
ing blocks OF the Wall Street product to every
one who would listen He charged that the
so-callcd leak was one of series. through
which the American people were robbed OF
hundreds OF millions of their savings and
particular few bcnefciaries secured some
S60000.O00 Of direct plumber. some of which
was split with important people"
Summoned 10 Washington TO back up these
allegations. he had long conference with
Mr.. Henry, at the conclusion of which the
Congressman made the following announce
mcut:
ask cr n,s II, r6 no seGS +. nsr5on q"s
MEETING 10 chase a ,n,rase havs
nose ss' h M% rT H. S ,So n"% for ,St
rar,men' aud VIII street .s lie g cannot
even give me the names Of those charged
Ivy him with cleaning M $50 400. 600 in
connection with the cnk. and is not
able 10 furn'eh the name Of even one Of
Hero is a frank indication of the estimate
placed by Mr.. Henry the Lawson "tcsti-
mony' and that tcstimonys author 1t is
not surprising that tho Frcnzcd Financier
should have resented this dismissal. which
showed that tho chairman Of the Rules Com
mittcc had reached the same opinion Of LA W
son that the country reached long ago.
Can any sane human being believe that
after telling Lawson that the Secretary OF
hp Irnl linn
mixed up in stock deal. and thus placing
himself in Lawson's power. that MIR. Henry
would have made a public statement certain
TO arouse Lawsons angry resentment? The
thing is uncomfortable. Acceptance Of any
such theory would convict Mr.. Hcury Of he.
ing not only knavc and pcrjnrcr. but Al
unmiticatcd ass.
Even IT this theory he accepted and Mr.
Henry stand condemned. Lawson is not
helped. Rctorc he had over sccn or talked
with Mr.. Henry. before he had ever gonc to
Washington. he claimed to be in possession
of evidence that a few persons. through Tho
alleged pcacc-uotc leak. had obtained some
60.000.000 Of direct plumber some Of which
VAS split with important people" He has of
fercd no such evidence. The scattered hits
OF gossip he has rctailcd from time to time
have always been assigned by him to other
persons, and these other persons have re
pudiatcd responsibility.
1t is plain not only that Lawson knows
nothing OF his own knowledge, but that he
can bring no witnesses to mako good his own
deficiencies. II is plain that without reason
or warrant. he has hecn willing to spread
abroad vile insinuatons against men in
public life. lie has been careful to keep for
himself the privilege OF witness and TINS
he may have avoided responsibility in court
of law. but there is a forrnl---thc great court
of public opinion which will visit on him
! the punishment he deserves.