New-York tribune., 1918-12-21
Senator Attempts to Show
Becker Used Hearst
Bolo Expose for Lewis
Bankers Praised
For Their Loyalty
Albert's Use of Money Was
Traced Through Checks
the Committee Is Told
Neic York Tr,buno
lTrsb,royo, P,,,,

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-A vigorous
attack upon Alfred L. Becker, Deputy
Attorney General of New York State,
who dug up much of the evidence
against Bolo Pacha and of Hearst's
connection with the French traitor by
Senator James a. Reed, of Missouri,
came this afternoon as q climax to the
hearings the Overman Senate Commit
zee has been conducting OF German
propaganda.
Senator Reed practically took charge
OF the proceedings and cross examined
Becker vigorously. Once, when Chair
nan Overman Interrupted, he turned
on him anG announced, Il know how to
run this thing" He stated at one
point that he was attacking the ethics
of Mr.. Becker in his conduct in the
Rolo-Hearst case, and the general line
CT his questioning attempted to show
. political motive in this case.
Hearst's Lawyer Is Present
SRntSl iNSSd 10 IOC ii luSUlDeI OIL LnG
subcommittee conducting the hearings,
and Senator Overman, after the session.
characterized the proceeding as "nost
unusual He explained that Mr.. Reed.
IS member of the Senate Committee
on the Judiciary, which has general
charge Of the inquiry. had asked per-
1'isslon to examine Becker Senator
s.sed denied Yesterday that he was par
'cularly interested in the Hearst case.
'o-day, as Yesterday, William A. De
ford, Hearstt's counsel and NJ. Nc
rarlsnd' Of the Hearst staff in Boston.
we're present.
'he appearance OF political issue
.nder Mr. Reeds questioning gave a
ew complexion to the hearing. From
ne first this hes been carefully avoided
'F senators of both parties. Political
'olorIng has heretofore been absent,
''ith the single exceptional case when
LQuis n Hammerling admitted on the
S;and that he had sworn to msstate-
1ents in different affidavits he had
made, and who also charged Mr.. Becker
@lth q political motive in Investigate
ing his connection with German propa-
ganda
The net result of to-day's cross ex-
amnation was to get into the record
me story Of the political fight in New
'ork last summer, when Attorney Cen
'Fa Lewis. running against Whitman,
made a campaign issue of the latter's
supposed relations with Hearst
senator Reed attempted several
"'AeS to force Mr.. Becker irto an al
mission that he had used the power
iul public safety" act to further this
campaign, but Nh Becker pointed out
mat no evidence takeA under that act
mad been used in this fight, though the
aHidavlts that were used were taken
Il the same time, and stated about the
Same facts as the public safety act
depostions. After one exchange on this
subject, Senator Reed remarked: "Ill
make YOU admit it yet"
Reporter Made Mistake
In addition there were interesting
'ac'S brought out about this fight, and
also about the mistake that occurred
N the first report of the Bolo Pacha
INNER, when it was stated that Boy
Ia and Won Papen were present, the ugh
as matter of fact they had left the
country, and Hearst's attempt to get a
certificate of Americanism from Lewis
on the basis of this mistake. Also,
mere were several sharp clashes be-
'"een Senator Reed and the Witness
no' only during the cross s-examination
out earlier in the day. Summarized
.oe cross-examination resulted in the
following admissions and charges from,
Becker:
That the giving out of afiidavits
sestfying to frequent visits to the
hearst apartment by Bcrnstorf and
ooio was political maneuvrc.
mat the connection between Hearst
"no whitman was political issue.
nat mistake was made-by re-
porter and not by either Becker or
1ewls--in the story of the Bolo din
ner
mat this had one good result in
mat 1t resulted in Hearst's going on
record as having only one meeting
Win bolo---a record against which
80 much evidence was later produced.
mat Mr.. Becker considered it
puo'ic service to make public any
~ho"n facts about connections be-
tween Hearst and Germans.
mat. the story of the Boo dinner,
so far from being breach of conf
1e"ce against the French govern
,"ehe' was given ont only after CON
,efehce with the French Ambassa-
'hat after the mistake occurred
s~o Hearst men tried to get from
LSWlS Maa.*: