The sun., 1918-12-21
HECKLES BECKER AT
PROPAGANDA QUIZ
Senator Reed Seeks to Show
Enmity Of Deputy and
Lewis for Hearst.
GERMAN MONEY TRACED
Further Details of Financing
and Aid Asked Of Bank
ers Here.
Eneciai Despotch 10 Tnr srN.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.--The cxami-
nation of Alfred L. Becker, Assistant
Attorney General OF New York, be-
fore the Overman committee to-day
tween the former spy hunter and
Senator Reed (Mo.), who although not
a member of the Overman committee
nevertheless has entered the hearings
as an active cross examiner. AL
though Senator Reed did not disclose
the purpose Of his continued ques-
tioning he completely removed from
the committee at least for. the time
the direction of its inquiry and di-
verified attention to the question of
what might have been the animus
which, prompted Mr.. Becker and At
torney- General Merton T.. Lewis
with whom Mr. Becker had worked
in complete accord.
AS the cross-eXamination proceede1
1t became more and more evident
Senator Reeds purpose was to obtain
from Mr.. Becker the admission he
and Mr.. Lewis had cherished hope
OF linking the name Of William Il
Hearst as more or less active sup
porter OF the cause of Germany in
the period Immediately preceding
Americas entrance into the war with
Charles s. Whitman, against whom
Mr.. Lewis was candidate for the
Republican nomination for Governor
last summer. Mr.. Becker admitted
this event had not been left uncon-
sidered in his efforts to develop the
case against Mr.. Hearst or that the
political value of such a connection
would rebound to the advantage OF
Mr.. Lewis's candidacy as well as his
own.
bitterness "a Inquiry.
Throughout the day there were
clashes between Senator Reed and
the witness. At the time of the com
mittees adjournment Mr.. Becker
asked Senator Reed II there were any
substantiating documents which he
would like to have brought from New
York.
II should like to have the account
ings and vouchers for the expendi-
lures which your office made in this
search for the alleged propagandists,
said Senator Reed.
well, those matters will not be pro-
duced," announced Mr.. Becker, and
may say further, Senator Reed, that
not only will l not produce vouchers
and statements OF accounts, but I will
not reveal the names of the personnel
OF the special agents and Investigators
who have contributed to the upbuild
ing OF this case or who have aided the
organization in its researches"
Il expected you would not" came
the retort.
The connection Of Mr.. Hearst with
activities in the United states OF Bolo
Pasha, which were described yesterday
by Mr.. Becker. furnished the subject
for joint debate between Senator
Reed and the witness. Senator Reed
called in question the publication in
an unnamed New York newspaper of
the statement that Capts. Boyd and
Won Papen had been among those
present" at the dinner by Bolo Pasha
to Mr.. Hearst and others at Sherrys.
Question of Statements.
Mr.. Becker tried to get before the
committee proof that as soon as he ha
become acquainted with the fact that
such statement had actually been
printed he Was at pains to get out a
categorical denial OF the alleged fact
He said that the World had printed a
correct statement from him and from
Mr.. Lewis on this point but that the
American had asked OF him a statement
which would have been tantamount Il
an apology, and which he refused. al
though lie gave them the same state
ment which the World had printed in
explanation. This did not satisfy SEN
ator Reed and there was another tan
gle.
The first clash OF the day came when
Mr.. Becker read into the record ad-
vertisements from the New York Call
during the 1917 Mayoralty campaign
when that paper was supporting Nor
ris Hillquit, TO the effect that William
Bayard Hale had Joined the Socialist
party. The advertisement exploited
Hale's friendship with President Viii