The Washington times., 1919-07-16

general of the Railroad Administra-
ton, absolving him from any connec-
ton with the making of a contract OF
$3o,0 as rental with the road. The
charge had been made by Cooper that
Williams was largely responsible for
getting the approval OF an excessive
rental contract, though the road in
1917 showed deficit of $4,000.
Mr.. Hines denied that there was
a deficit, stating that the 1917 income
Of the railroads was $105,643.
This is a fair sample of the gross
Inaccuracies OF the statement made
to this committee by this witness"
replied Mr. Williams.
Mr.. Williams then went into charges
by Cooper relating to his banking ac-
tivities in Richmond, Va.
Mr.. Cooper had claimed that the
bank OF John L. Williams and Sons,
with which Comptroller Williams was
formerly associated, had been permit
ted to withdraw it's account with the
Commercial National Bank OF wash
ington. This charge Mr.. Williams
firmly denied, reading a letter from
National Bank Examiner James Trim
BILE to substantiate his denial.
Answers Allegation.
Mr.. williams answered the charge
that while he was director of finance
of the Railroad Administration he
had Disseminated against the Metro
poIitan National Bank by removing
certain railroad funds, by reading a
letter from George P. White, presi-
dent of the bank. declaring there was
no foundation to the charge. The let
ter further stated that Mr.. White had
made no complaint against Williams.
When he became Assistant Secre-
tary of the Treasury in 1913, Mr.. Will
liams told the committee, he had sew
vered all his personal connections
with banks, railroads, and other bust
nesses, so that he would not be en-
barrassed in conducting his official
duties. He denied that he had since
made outside connections.
During his statement in regard to
his connection with the bank OF John
l.. Williams & Sons, OF Richmond, Va,
Mr.. williams denied fatty any re-
sponsibility for the Searboard Air
Line railroad going into the hands
Of a receiver. Mr.. Williams said X
was after his retirement as Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury that the
road was put into the hands OF re-
ceiver. and not during his incum-
bency, as Mr.. Cooper had previously
charged.
The Comptroller admitted that John
l.. Williams & Sons had a note OF
10000. amply secured, in the Munsey
Trust Company. Mr.. Cooper had
claimed the amount to be $4,000. He
also admitted that r. Lancaster Will !
iams. brother, had borrowed $1S3.- |
300 from the Munsey Company on
sound security.
Denies Bankruptcies.
Mr.. Williams told the committee |
hat at no time had any bank with |
which he had been connected gone |
nto bankruptcy. A creditors COM
nittee had been appointed for John l.. |
Williams & Sons at one time, he tes-
flied, due to tho banks creditors
allure to meet their obligations to |
he firm, and the institution paid 100 |
,ents on the dollar.
Mr.. Williams will 60 further into
us own business connections when he
lext appears before the committee
In connection with the williams
harges, Mr.. Cooper last night issued I
he following statement:
Both of my banks are in a most
prosperous condition, making as much
g 20 per cent. Every loan that Mr..
Williams has talked about has been
aid in full. without the loss OF cent
Or. Williams has been unable 10 put
is finger upon a single item which
e could truthfully criticise me about.
81 expect to show in my reply that
fr. Williams is not a fair and Impair
lal official, but that he has been
1llltV NJ