Evening star., 1929-12-19
Tells Lobby ProberS He Had
No Direction From Presi-
dent Regarding Sugar.
TALKED WITH NEWTON
ON SLIDING PROPOSAL
Lawyer Also Refutes Claim He
Solicited Contributions in
Cuba for Work.
By the Associated Press.

Edwin P. Shattuck, lawyer, who has
been described repeatedly as having
been hired to work for lower Cuban
sugar rates because of his friendship
with President Hoover, testified today
before the Senate lobby committee that
he had never discussed the subject with
Mr.. Hoover, but said that he had talked
on sugar matters with Walter Newton,
one of the Presidents secretaries.
A letter written by H. G. Lakin, presi-
dent of the Cuba company, who had
employed Shattuck, to a Cuban official
had said that Shattuck held confer
ences with the Chief Executive on sugar
and that the President had instructed
Newton to bring members of the House
ways and means committee into contact
with those seeking lower Cuban sugar
rates.
Shattuck was not questioned about
his conferences with Newton, and most
OF the short hearing was devoted to his
relations with Mr.. Hoover.
Resents Improper Inference"
The attorney said he resented the
fact that Mr.. Hoover's name had been
banded about in testimony before the
lobby committee and said improper in
ferences had been drawn from the testi-
mony as to his relations with the Chief
Executive. He asserted that he had
been thrown with Mr.. Hoover through
charitable work and had also done
some legal work for him.
Il make no claim other than hope
to have his friendship" he added
AT the outset of the hearing the wit
ness was asked by Senator Walsh, DEM
0crQf Mnnfnna FNr
lower sugar rates was that Of lawyer
or lobbyist"
Shattuck answered emphatically that
his work was that of lawyer. He said
he saw President Hoover about the time
he became an employe of the Cuba
company, and that he told him of the
connection he had formed.
Denies Soliciting Contributions.
Shattuck also denied that he had So
licited contributions in Cuba for his
work. A letter written by Junior r.
Owens OF the American Bottlers of
Carbonated Beverages to Charles D.
RainWater of Atlanta, said that a Mr..
Francis, law partner of Shattuck had
tuck had been in Cuba and had been
successful in raising money for the
sugar campaign.
Shattuck said he did not know how
his partner came to make the statement,
adding that he had not solicited con-
tributions. Owens will be called to the
stand to testify tomorrow.
A letter from Mrs. Jones, who was
not further identified, to Francis was
read which spoke of a plan to send
Senators to Cuba to look over the Sit
uation there. Shattuck said nothing
came Of this.
Shattuck said he did not know
whether the expenses of the Senators
were to be paid and did not know what
Senators were to be sent.
Has Legal Reputation.
DO you not realize you were en-
ployed chiefly because Of your relation
with the President?" Walsh asked.
"I do not" Shattuck said.
He added that all he had was his
library and reputation"
I'm my home town." he added, Il
think have somewhat of legal repu-
tation and connections"
This discussion arose from telegram
from Lakin to Shattuck, which said
Lakin hoped Shattuck because of his
connections" could bring about a re-
vision of the reciprocity treatment with
Cuba.
Shattuck said he had been associated
with sugar people for many years and
had valuable connection.
Walsh called attention that treaty
revision would have to be done by the
President through the Secretary Of
State.
"That is partially true" shattuck
said.
THE revision I had in mind could
be accomplished by an act of Congress"
"Shattuck said the proposed revision
would increase the preferential duty
given Cuban sugar under the tariff
bill.
A telegram from Shattuck to Francis
last February suggested that a poll Of
members of Congress be conducted
through Representative La Guardia,
Republican, New York, to ascertain the
strength of the Cuban sugar position in
Congress.
Was that part of your legal work?"
Walsh asked.
1T was incidental to it," shattuck
replied. ,
The committee then adjourned until
tomorrow, when Junior Owens Will be
questioned.