The Washington times., 1918-12-22

"Purging that record Of its nasty
insinuations-that's my job. solely in
the interest of justice. Much has been
cleared up; much more needs clearing
up"
So spoke Senator James Reed of
Missouri, n Democrat, at the conclu-
sion OF the Senate Judiciary subcom-
mittee's propaganda investigation.
1T can stand in its unfairness
through the holidays. but It will show
clean soon after the recess" Reed
said.
Notwithstanding Reeds sharp words
with Deputy Attorney General Alfred
Becker, OF New York, at yesterdays
hearing, the New York official smiled
defiance at Reed when, at the close
of the hearing, he said 1t would be
a pleasure" to return after the holi-
days and submit to Reeds examina-
tioa.
sees Effort Against Hearst.
'T have been following this hearing
and its proceedings only as an OBJ
server. and now ask for the priviI-
ege OF examining Mr.. Becker; because
see a concerted effort to fasten trea-
son on william Randolph Hearst by
linking together nasty bits OF insin-
uations," Reed explained to the COM
mittee, after his motives had been
Questioned several times by Becker in
his replies to questions.
II have no interest in Hearst, don't
know the man and have never had
relations with him either socially or
politically, except that know, he sup
ports my party" Reed asserted.
Senator Reed proved by the testi-
mony of Becker that, few days after
the threat OF Lewis TO expose the al
legged Hearst pro-German connections,
Becker, under the process of the At
torney Generals office OF New York.
summoned the employees OF the apart
ment house in which Mr.. Hearst re-
sided, together with certain servants
and ex-servants OF Mr.. Hearst. and
procured from them the affidayits re-
fGrred to.
Anidavits Given to Papers.
These affidayits, dated August .. 10,
and II. 1913 ostensibly for the use Of
the French government. were given to
! the newspapers August Il one day
after the last one was obtained and
during the very height OF the primary
campaign.
Becker was also forced to admit that
the source Of the concededly false in
formation afterward published in New
| York and to the effect that Won Papen
and Boyd were at the Bolo Pasha
dinner at SherTy's was an official
document turned over to the newspaper
men by .his office. Senator Reed de-
yeloped the fact that the next morning
the reporters Of one OF the papers
! which published the false information
called at his office and asked Becker
how he liked the story. Becker replied
, that Is was fine" explaining to the
committee that by this expression he
merely meant to Jolly" the news
paper men.
Becker Admits Error.
Becker characterized the erroneous
publication of the presence OF Boy
Ed and Won Papen at the Sherry
dinner as an "unfortunate" and re-
grettable incident The point en-
\ phasized by Senator Reed was that
| neither Lewis nor Becker, both OF
whom knew the published account
was false, denied or attempted to
ll0orracf= the story, which had been
given wide publicity. As a matter
Of fact Lewis, in statement given
| to the press, declared that the in
! formation upon which the story was
based came from an official document
in his office and that he stood on
the records.
Senator Reed. after developing
these facts, made an earnest effort
to ascertain the sum of money ex-
pended by Becker during his inves-
tigation. The witness repeated his
refusal Of yesterday to produce
vouchers and records of his office on
this point, nor would he tell the com
mittee the aggregate amount spent
by him. He based his declaration
upon a section of the New York
statutes which, he claimed, required
complete secrecy as to the opera
tions of his bureau. Under the cir
cumstances Chairman Overman said
he would not compel the witness to
produce the records.
Paid $50 to Chauffeur.
Senator Reed insisted upon knowing
whether any of the affidavit-makers
who purported to identify visitors to
Mr.. Hearst's apartments had been paid
any money by Becker. The latter
finally admitted that he recalled that
one of the chauffeurs had been paid
$50 to cover the chauffeur's loss of
time in attending the deputy attor-
ney general for part Of day.
Further questioning ELECTED the
general admission that Becker paid all
of the witnesses amounts which he
could not recall for the purpose, as
he claimed, of compensating them for
their travelling expenses and loss OF
time. Becker added that such eXpen-
ditures were not authorized by law.
He claimed, however, that 1t was his
practice to pay witnesses in this man
neF.
Claims Secrecy Privilege.
Senator Reed next tried to ascertain
the identity of the secret agents and
detectives whom Becker had utilized
first in getting in touch with the
group of employees and servants who
were finally assembled in New York
during the Republican primary cam
paign. Again the witness claimed the
privilege of secrecy under the New
ADVEPTIsEMEN