New Britain herald., 1924-03-01
Editor Of Washington Post First To Go On Stand - Major Testi6es Mes sages Were Destroy ed Each Night.
No Copies of Messages Exist Anywhere Says Confidential Man of Pulp fisher - "Duckstein" In- vOlyed.

Washington, March l.---John F Major and othed employees Of Edward h. Mclean, publisher Of inc Wash ington Post. were questioned by ihe OH committee today in its search for further details Of the communications that passed between Washington and the Mclean cottage at Palm Beach during December and January.
 IL was Major who signed most of the telegrams to Mclean already put into the committee record. He was questioned at length about these mes- sases, but he said the telegrams sent over the private wire by Mclean be- tween Washington and Palm Beach had been destroyed.
 John J. Sturgeon, managing editor or the Post, was called as the first witness, Senator Walsh, democrat. Montana, asked about installation of Inc private wire and he replied:
 'l cant tell you who installed The wire Mir. Mclean directed that it be installed"
 He said that he did not know what went over the wire or whether rec ords were kept His duty as chief of the news department of the paper. Inc explained, did not require him 10 be responsible for such arrangements.
 Senator Walsh asked for the iden- uty of the man who is over you all. and the witness said it was Mr. Me- Lean.
 senator Adams, democrat, Cnor. ado, asked if the wire to Palm Behch had any news use. Mr. Sturgeon said it had none.
 Sturgeon had wired Mclean. mem tioning Slo0.0O0 loan to A. B. Fall. and Senator Dill, democrat, Washing ton. asked nbout 1t.
 MT. Mclean told me of the loan. MT. Sturgeon said, and said that if anything came out we should print it like other ncNs.''
 Sturgeon had wired Mclean. men- iioning $lo0,o00 loan to A. R. Fail. and Senator Dill, democrat, Washing ton, asked about it.
 NIT. Mclean told me of the loan, MT Sturgeon said, and said that if anything came out We should print it like other ncws.''
 Major on stand
 John r. Major then took the stand. identifying himself as a "eoniidentiai employe Of Mr Mclean" He sata he had ordered the private wire in- stalled
 The wire connection had been mada in the room where the other Post telegraph facilities were located Major explained there was n New \ nt I 4 stalled.
 Don't hang back and make me question you." senator Wash urged hin. 'Go ahead and tell us about this"
 l sent messages over the wire.p Major replied. and received them.e
 Where are the copies?" Walsh asked.
 They've been destroyed. They were destroyed every night"
 Why"
 They were confidential messages between Mir. AlcLean's confidential employees and himself"
 Who did ito"
 T did it."
 That's the way you handle vour iuties as confidential man is jtgr
 Yes sir"
 Major said F.. W. Smitbers. inc White House wire chief. had been m mpioyed to operate the wires Wash. nCton end.
 He was there from D. m" he aid. until ?. m.. sometimes lat,r.'
 What does Smithers do at the White House s''
 "t don't know, other than to be A . telegraph operator"
 senator Walsh pressed for A reptv Is [" what else Smithers did at Inc White House besides run the teie. ,raph wire there. and there was nn llierration when Major hesitated to tplF The senator then asked who hEge>ted ihe employment Of 'mfthcrs The witness thought if 'as ". Q. Duckstein. another of Me cans men.
 There arr no copies of messages nywherc now. which went over this fire 70
 '.Nn sir.
 What was the purpose of this rirc ?-'
 "To keep Mir. Mclean in touch with vents here and in Europe"
 Major said Mclean neved had such private wire 10 Palm Beach in pre- ious seasons
 What seemed % require the wire hts yparg"
 Y believe the Telegraph company fcords last year will show that if osi more 10 get 10 MT. Mclean over commercial wires the news that went ito the paper. than private wire fould cost.
 Well. what connection has thatY-
 (Continued un Tase Ftfteen)