The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-12-19
Admits Talking Over Proposed
Sliding Scale With Presi.
dents Secretary
HIRED TO WORK OUT PLAN
Resents Implication He Is Chief
Executives Closest le-
gal Friend

washington. Dec. l9.-tP)--Edwin
p. Shattuck. lawyer friend OF Prcsi-
dent Hoover. told the senate lobby
committee today he had not discussed
the sugar tariff with the president.
H. c. Lakin. president Of the Cuba
company. which has large sugar hold
ings In Cuba, had testified that he
employed Shattuck to aid in a cam
paign for . low sugar duty partially
because OF the latter,s friendship with
the president.
AS shattuck took the stand. Sen
ator Walsh. Democrat, Montana. be-
gan the questioning.
Walsh asked II Shattuck still be-
lieved his work with Lakin IA that
OF q lawyer or Of q lobbyist"
Shattuck answered that he was EN-
ployed to write a brief for presenta-
ton to congress setting forth argu-
ments in behalf Of a low sugar duty.
Il did this" he added.
Asked 70 Shape Plan
The witness said he then was asked
to try to work out q plan for q sugar
duty which would be advantageous to
all sugar producers.
II had hopes Of working out a plan
which would be satisfactory to all
producers and not be injurious to the
consumers" he added.
"You told us you did no work cx-
cept that OF a lawyer" Walsh re-
marked. Il am asking you II you
care to modify that"
II attempted to present the facts
to the public" Shattuck replied. YOU
AN call It the work Of = lawyer or
anything"
"A lawyer might 60 out and dig
bitches but that would not be legal
work." Walsh commented.
Had No Directions
II have had no directions from Mr..
Hoover about the sugar tariff" Shat.
tuck said. nor have ! discussed It
with the president. ] have discussed
the sugar tariff and the proposed
sliding scale with Mr. Newton tSec.
tary to Hoover"
Just 4 few moments before Senator
Walsh. Democrat. Montana. had
asked the witness II he had talked
with the president before accepting
q job offered by Lakin.
Il told him I "a employed BY the
Cuban sugar interests to try to work
out some plan that would be fair TO
ALL" shattuck answered.
why did you tell 1t ali abou. your
employment?" he vas asked.
Il saw him IS I usually do" Shat
tuck said. II usually eau on him when
In the vicinity"
Friend Of Hocver's
shattuck said his friendship nth
Hoover had been like any other
friendship" adding they had had .
good deal Of public work together ard
. large amount Of charity work
Senator Robinson. Republican. IN
diana. asked Why Shattuck was EN-
ployed chiefly because OF MS
friendship with Hoover.
II make no claim to BE- the adviser
OF Mr.. Hoover he said. I have IN
the past 10 years done professional
work for Mr.. Hoover. ! resent the
implication that ! am Mr.. HooseTs
closest legal friend"
i think It is unfortunate that any
such imputation should be received
by the committee. My relations with
MI. Hoover have been very pleasant.
II make no claim other than that !
hope to have his friendship he
added.
Testimony Improper
do sou think its fair to have Mr.
Hoover's name banded about IN this
testimony" Senator Robinson asked.
y certainly do not he said. and
I can't make 1t strong enough"
Shattuck said the inference
from some Of the testimony about his
relations with Hoover were improper
Shattuck was asked about : letter
which Lakin wrote to Secretary Aballi
of Cuba which said Shattuck had had
a conference with Hoover.
Il had talked with Mr.. Newton
he said. y had not talked with the
president.
Received No Instructions
Then the president gave you no
directions 1t all?' asked Senator
Robinson.
Absolutely not shattuck said. \
never received any instructions from
the president"
DO you not realize you were EN-
ployed chiefly because OF your rela-
ton with the PRESIDENT" Walsh