Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, January 09, 1917, Page 3, Image 3

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    THE MOILING OREGONIAN, TUESDAY. JANUARY 9. 1917.
3.
TUMULTY'S DENIAL
IS IDE COrf LETE
Wilson's Secretary Says He
Did Not Know Note Existed
Until Published.
NO "TIPS" EVER GIVEN
Talks WitU Baruch or Anyone Rep
resenting Him Never Took Place.
President Quoted as Giving
Full Indorsement.
WASHINGTON. Jan. ' 8 Joseph P.
Tumulty, secretary to President "Wil
son, appeared before the House rules
committee today as a witness in the
so-called "leak Inquiry" and read a
statement, backed by the approval of
the President. The statement was:
"I appear before this committee to
resent, the unjust Intimation that I
Brave Information to Mr. B. M. Baruch
In regard to the so-called peace note
sent to tho European belligerents last
month by the Secretary of State. This
Intimation was contained In a state
ment made to this committee by Rep
resentative Wood, of Indiana, a man
whom I do not know. To the best of
my knowledge. I have never met Mr.
Wood. Certainly he made no effort to
find out the truth from me before
dragging my name Into this affair.
Existence of Note Mot Known.
"I wish to deny generally and spe
cifically that I gave advance Informa
tion to Mr. Baruch or to anybody else
In regard to the peace note. I did not
know of the existence of this note or
that this Government contemplated the
dispatch of such a note until after
printed copies of the note had been
given to representatives of the press
by the State Department.
"I was not consulted in the prepara
tion of the note by the President or
by anybody else. The conferences and
communications relating to the drafting
of the note and Its dispatch were con
fidential between the President and the
Secretary of State. I knew nothing of
them whatever, nor did any other per
son employed In the executive office.
Relations With Uaruch Denied.
"1 have had no correspondence, writ
ten or telegraphic, with Ir. Baruch or
anybody representing hnn regarding
this matter. I have had no telephone
talks with Mr. Baruch or anybody rep
resenting him regarding this matter. I
have never talked with him or anybody
representing him, or with anyone else,
publicly or privately, with regard to
this matter.
"Apparently the only Insinuations
made against me are that I lunched
with or met Mr. Baruch at the Bilt
more Hotel at or about the time of the
preparation of the President's sugges
tion , that the European belligerents
state their peace terms. I have never
breakfasted, lunched, dined or taken
any meals with Mr. Baruch. I have met
him only at several banquets and large
dinners, when many other persons were
present. I have never discussed any
peace or other note, either when it'was
in prospect or afterwards, with Mr.
Baruch or any other person engaged
in the purchase or sale of securities of
any kind in the stock market.
' No" Stoclc Deals Ever Made.
"While this- is a complete denial of
the only Insinuations which have been
made, I wish to go further and say
that I have never engaged in stock
market sales' or purchases myself nor
through brokers, friends or agents.
"I discussed the President's note with
no one, first, because of my oath of
service requires that I make no prl
vate use of official Information, and,
secondly and specifically, because, a:
I have stated, I had not seen the Pres
ident's note and did not know that it
was In preparation or even contem
plated.
"As I have already said In a public
statement, I have frequently requested
the President to keep me free from any
knowledge of impending International
moves, so that I might not be embar
rassed by requests for information from
the newspaper correspondents, who ap
peal to me in my office constantly for
such information.
Insinuations Have No. Basis.
"The insinuations which have been
made, whether conceived in political
malice or merely through misinforma
tion, are wholly -false and without even
the flimsiest basis. I have not at any
time since acting as Mr. Wilson s secre
tary, first when he was Governor of
New Jersey and later when he became
President, been Interested In any stock
transactions of any kind or given any
Information to any other person upon
which purchases or sales might be
made. I wish to make this statement
as sweeping and complete as I know
how. I h in .still waiting for Mr. Wood's
public apology.
"I am authorized by the President to
quoto him as follows:
" 'I wish. In justice to Mr. Tumulty,
to say that he has stated the exact
fact. He had no knowledge of the note
whatever until It was given out for
publication.
"Wilson Is Expert Typewriter.
Chairman Henry, of the rules com'
mlttee, announced that he had no ques
tions to ask, and Representative Camp
bell questioned Mr. Tumulty.
"Do you know who aided in tho prep'
aration of this note?"
"The President prepared and wrote
tho note himself," said Mr. Tumulty.
He is an expert typewriter In addt
tlon to his other achievements."
Mr. Tumulty added that he had tried
to find out how a leak could havo oc
curred, but had been unable to get
any definite Information.
The mere mechanics of preparing the
note might make It possible for It to
get out. he said. "My first knowledge
that a not had been given out." he
added, "came from the Associated Press
correspondent at the White House on
the afternoon of December 20. He told
me when I returned from lunch that
the not had been given out. I asked
i
Sto relieve catarrhal!
deafness and head '
Z NOISES j
If you have Catarrhal Deafness
Ml or head noises go to your drug-.
gist and get 1 ounoe of-Parmlnt
sj (double strength), and add to It
Bg M pint of hot water and 4 ounces
of granulated sugar. Take 1 ta-
blespoonful four times a day.
This will often bring quick re-
lief from the distressing head
0 noises. Clogged nostrils should
open, breathing become easy and
as the mucus stop dropping into the
sj throat. It Is easy to prepare, costs
little and is pleasant to take.
! Any one who has Catarrhal Deaf-
ness or head noises should give
this prescription a trial.
BR
him what note and "he said the peace
note." '
Have you any information as to how
the leak occurred?" Mr. Campbell
asked.
Tumulty "Careful of Reputations."
"I have not," Mr. Tumulty replied.
"Any opinion I might have would be
speculative and would Involve reputa
tions. I am very careful about mak
ing statements In such circumstances."
Representative Chiperfield asked Sec
retary Tumulty if he knew that Alfred
H. Curtis, of 135 West Seventy-ninth
street. New York, former president of
the National Bank of North America,
was in fact the "A. Curtis" who wrote
the letter. Mr. Tumulty said he did
not.
Mr. Tumulty added he did not" think
the "leak" could have occurred on the
note - through any employe of the
executive office. He then read a let
ter from L. T. Russell, editor of the
Newark Morning Ledger, referring to
the mysterious "A, Curtis" who wrote
Representative Wood, author of the in
vestigation resolution.
"What prompts me to write," said the
letter "is I note one man by the name
of 'Curtis' is brought in as having writ
ten the Wood letter, using your name,!
and I recall that on- a number of oc
casions under various suspicious cir
cumstances since I have been in New
ark I have received telephone calls
from a man calling himself 'Mr. Curtis
and alleging himself to be a banker or
broker.
Dorothy Arnold Tip Given, Too.
"In each case he undertook to give
me tips of various sorts of what was
happening, not only in the financial
and industrial world, but on one oc
casion called me up on the telephone to
tell me that he had good reason to be
lieve that Dorothy Arnold was at an
Orange, N. J., hotel. During the Stand
ard Oil strike he called up almost
daily, giving v-hat purported to be in
side information and also predicting
future developments.
"I made considerable Inquiry, but
could never identify or locate Mr. Cur
tis."
Representative Campbell asked Mr.
Tumulty if he knew that Mr. Wood
asked for an executive session to make
his statement bringing In Mr. Tumul
ty's name last week.
I wish you wouldn't ask me any
thing about Mr. Wood," replied- Mr.
Tumulty heatedly. "I would be ashamed
to be a party to anything that would
blemish the reputation of a public man
on a mere letter written by a man
named Curtis. If I were guilty of such
a thing I would not be fit to hold the
oiliest public office."
Alfred II. Curtis Mentioned.
Representative Lenroot. Republican.
asked Secretary Tumulty how the
President sent the peace note to Sec
retary Lansing. Mr. Tumulty said It
was transmitted in a sealed envelope
by private messenger.
Do you know," asked Representa
tive Chiperfield, "that Alfred H. Curtis
was president of the National Bank of
North America, with which Charles W.
Morse and others were associated?"
'I do not." said Mr.' Tumulty.
"You are well acquainted with Ber
nard Baruch?" resumed Mr. Chiper
field. Yes, sir."
'When did you last see him?"
At the Gridiron dinner In Washing
ton. December 9."
"Did you come closely in contact with
him there?"
'I sat about five seats away from
him and exchanged greetings with
him."
Gerard Directed to Broker.
'Did you have any private conver
sation with him?'
"None at all."
Mr. Chiperfield then said there were
things not mentioned In Mr. Tumulty's
letter which he wished to question him
about.
"Go as far as you like," said Mr.
Tumulty.
Do you know J. is. Reagan, pro
prietor of the Knickerbocker Hotel in
New York?"
"Yes."
Asked if he ever had any business
transactions with W. B. Hlbbs & Co.,
Washington brokers, or had ever fre
quented their place of business, Mr.
Tumulty said tie had been there once
"Before Ambassador Gerard returned
to Germany recently," said Tumulty
'he wanted to buy some bonds and
wanted to know a man whom I could
recommend. I introduced Mr. Gerard
to Mr. Hibbs."
LAND 0WNERSAREL1ABLE
CITY DEMANDS PAY FOB. TJNION-
AVENtTE BRIDGE APPROACH.
Time Granted for Principals to Confer
With Connty Commissioners In
Hope of Relief.
Unless the county is willing to grant
relief from funds said to be available
in the interstate bridge fund property
owners on Union avenue probably will
be required to pay the full amount of
tne cost or constructing the Union
avenue viaduct, less the $1600 which
the contractor is to be fined for de
lays in the work. The Council con
sidered the subject yesterday and de
ierrea a settlement until ivriday to give
the property owners time to consult
with the County Commissioners.
The property owners contend that the
city should pay part of the cost, lnas-
mucn as tne improvement is one for
the entire city. The Council admits that
this may be true in part, but contends
that the work was done at the instiga
tion of the Union-avenue residents at a
time when such action on their part
was necessary lr me south approach to
the Interstate bridge was to ro on
Union avenue instead of on Vancouver
avenue.
It is contended by members of th
Council that Vancouver avenue would
nave been the approach most eeonom
icany built, but that the Union-avenue
property owners conceded the point of
aaattionai cost and thereby won in the
fight between the two streets. It Is
contended that the county will have
a large surplus of funds In the Inter
state oriage rund and that, therefore,
tne county snouid heln pav for th
viaduct, inasmuch as It is really a. part
ui lu3 uiiugu project.
The Council members hold that th
Union-avenue owners have got an Im
portant project at an unusually low
figure. The entire right-ofUvay for
the street was donated by the Portland
Railway, Light & Power Company and
some otner property needed was grant
ea oy tne .- w. . &. jv. Company. To
have purchased this property and the
right-of-way would have cost many
Timber Company Changes Heads.
AdtnuBisw, Wash.. Jan. 8. (Spe
cial.) Jerry McGillicuddy, for the past
tour years Democratic Treasurer of
urays nwoor county and now Commls
sioner-eiect, win assume the local man
agement of the Greenwood Timber Com
pany here Monday, succeeding C. E.' Ale.
Jir. Aie, wno has Headed tho Green
wood company here for 10 years, re
signed in order to look after interests
wnicn ne nas in tne North Rive
Shingle Company.
Kelso Postal Receipts Jump.
KELSO. "Wash.. Jan. 8. (SpeclaLV
During the month of December the t-.
ceipts of the local postoffice increased
40 per cent over the receipts of Decern
Der. Deing 9931.36. as compared
with J664.82. Money order sales and
the savings bank deposits also showed
a big gain. -
LANSING TRACES
NOTFS' MOVEMENTS
Extreme Precautions Taken in
Courtesy to Nations Re-'
ceiving Message.
CODING CLOSELY GUARDED
Three Men In Room When Secre
tary Talked to Newspaper Men,
but . He Did Not Know They
Were There TJntll Later.
State Lansing testified today before the
House rules committee, which is con
ducting an inquiry Into the charge that
advance Information of the President's
peace note became public.
Possibly I had better start," said
Secretary Lansing, "by stating that I
assume that confidential communica
tions between the President and my-
elf are" not a part of the Inquiry. I
can give you a physical history of the
note. The draft of the note was re
ceived, by me from the White House
at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. I called
Mr. Polk, counsellor for the depart
ment, and Mr. Woolsey, law adviser,
attached to my office, and discussed
the three forms in which the note had
to be prepared and sent forth. I then
handed It to Mr. Woolsey, enjoining to
the strictest secrecy that he might take
it to the three confidential stenograph
ers. "There It was to be prepared and de
livered to Mr. Salmon, chief of the In
dex bureau.
Note Enciphered in Locked Room.
"The index clerk." continued the Sec
retary, "was to encipher the note and
said that It would take so long to
cipher the three notes that he would
have to have an assistant. I directed
that he engage his most confidential
man for the work. .He did' so, was
given the copies and the two men
locked themselves in the room. They
were given the copies at 8 o'clock "and
at 2:30 Tuesday morning (December 19)
the notes were enciphered, delivered to
the telegraph room and sent.
'On Tuesday afternoon I discussea
with the President the time when the
note should be made public The rea
son for secrecy was the courtesy due
to the nations which were to receive
the note that it should not be published
here before they received It.
Two Days Allowed for Transmission.
"We decide it would take at least
two days for it to reach Austria and
Roumania and we decided It should be
made public on Thursday morning.
Tuesday evening about 6 o'clock a copy
of the note was handed to Mr. James,
chief of the information bureau. He
at once took it up with the printing
office.
It was read by one man and then
sent to the printing office.
At about 11 o clock I received tne
newspaper correspondents ana toia
them that I would have an important
communication for them at 5 o'clock,
to be released the next morning. I
told them in confidence, as I was afraid
its contents might come back: from
Europe in garbled form. Further, I
thought it courteous not to make It
nublic until it had been received by
the countries to which It was ad
dressed. I told them It did not contain
any proposal of peace or offer of medi
ation.
Note Discussed With Ambassador.
"That evening at my house Ambas
sador Wlllard. of Spain, told me h had
been advised of the contents of the
note by the President, and we dis
cussed the advisability of his address
ing Spain on the subject. The next
morning the note was made public in
the press."
Mr. Lansing said he could not recall
the name of any newspaper man who
was present at the conference nor did
he know any details of who handled
the note at the Government printing
office.
When was the first Intimation you
had that there had been a disclosure
of the contents of the noteT asked
Representative Campbell.
I had none until It was stated in
the newspapers."
Mr. Lansing added ho had made in
quiries around his department for a
"leak" but failed to locate one.
"Have you any Information as to
leak on the note about 11 o'clock on
Wednesday?" asked Representative
Campbell.
"Not to my knowledge, said Mr.
Lansing. -
Two Other Present in Room. "
It has been suggested here that rep
resentatives of two newspapers may
have sent out Information at that
time."
I have seen references to It In the
newspapers."
Has anything been done at the State
Department to show whether there Is
anv foundation for thatr
'Nothing at all. I think It would be
easy to find out."
Mr. Lansing said that on the morning
of this conference with the newspaper
men, three other men were present
waiting to see him but that he did not
know they were in tne room until
after he had talked to the newspaper
men.
"Who were these men?" asked Rep
resentative Lenroot.
"A. E. Snowden, of New Tork; E. R.
Gayler, a civil engineer of the Navy,
and Dr. N. T. McLean, of the Navy,
said Mr. Lansing. "The two naval offi
cers were about to proceed to Haiti
for the Government."
, "It Is not likely that they would say
anything about your statement?"' sug
gested Representative Bennet.
"Very improbable."
Stock Market Never Considered.
Mr. Bennet recalled Secretary Lansing
had said he never had speculated In
the market and added:
"For that reason isn't It possible that
you gave little though f to the effects
a statement made by you might have
on the stock market?"
"I never gave it a thought." said the
Secretary. "It never entered my mind,
t was merely anxious to preservethe
courtesy due to foreign nations in the
matter."
"Was Mr. Snowden connected with
the National Manufacturers' Associa
tion V
"I think so."
"With Snowden practically a strang
er to you. did It occur to you that he
might make use of the Information?".
"I didn't know he was there."
Questioned further about his confer
ence with the newspaper men. he said:
"My statements regarding the note
were entirely negative. I said nothing
whatever about a request for terms
having- been made. I gave no details.
I stated that at 5 o'clock they would
be able to get an important communi
cation sent to belligerent governments.
."I said that it was not a proposal of
peace or an offer. of mediation. Then
I explained the reason I wished them
to preserve confidence. I knew the
note was in the hands of the printer,
and wanted to guard against any mere
rumors that might get out."
Representative Chiperfield asked Sec
retary Lansing about his two state-
Visit the New
Optical Department
Under Direction of
Dr. Dallas
Now Located Near the
Ladies Rest Room
Second Floor
ments explaining the note after it had
been made public.
"Were these statements made en
tirely on your own initiative?" asked
Chiperfield.
"See here." Secretary Lansing de
clared with emphasis, "that is way
beyond the scope of this investigation.
Democrats of the committee objected
that such a line of questioning was
Improper, and the chair ruled that the
Secretary need not answer.
Resuming his testimony, secretary
Lansing said he did not know whether
representatives of wan-street papers
were present at the conference of the
newspaper men, and he did not know
their duties.
17 SENTENCED AT LAHORE
Court Says Indian Plots Are Pos
tered by Germans in United States.
L6NDON. Jan. 8. Seventeen of the
accused persons in the supplementary
trial held In connection with the
Lahore conspiracy case were sentenced
last week, says a Central News dis
patch from Calcutta today. Six re
ceived death sentences, one was sen
tenced for life and tho others received
terms of Imprisonment.
In delivering the Judgment, the
court, says the dispatch, indicated, that
Manila was still an active center of
revolutionary activity, but that the
United States remained the chief cen
ter tor the movement. It being fos
tered. It was said, by German consular
agents.
VATICAN MAKES DENIAL
President Wilson's Peace Not Not
Answered' In Spanish. Form.
ROME, via Paris, Jan. 8. The Vatican
denies a statement which has appeared
in tne press that the Pope is about to
answer Presid-ent Wilson's not In ap
proximately the same terms as Spain.
It Is pointed out that as. there are
no diplomatic relations between the
United States- and the Holy See the
Pope had no official communication of
President Wilson's note, and thus could
not answer in form, although it is said
that he strongly sympathizes with the
Intents and alms of the President.
679 SCALPS GO ON PYRE
Coyote and Bobcat Pelts Are) De
stroyed at Pendleton.
PENDLETON, Or., Jan. 8. (Special.)
The scalps of 647 coyotes and 32 bob
cats were fuel for a bonfire this morn
ing at the Pendleton office of the Bio
logical Survey.
The animals were killed 'during the
months of July and August. 1916.
Grand Jurors Chosen.
CHEHALIS, Wash., Jan. 8 (Spe
cial.) The list of members for the
first grand Jury in Lewis County for
16 years was chosen late today. The
Jury 1b expected to convene January 29
and begin its work. Those selected
for grand Jury service are as follows:
C. E. Sawtelle. Ed.,Harrls. J. Q. Thacker,
Mrs. Foss Daubney. M. F. Hamilton, H.
E. Porter. J. A. Profitt. E. E. Dodge.
E. B. Anderson. Walter N. Clinton.
Barbara Pool, Mrs. F. O. Casody. J. H.
Khret. Fred Williams. Fred Weber.
Mrs. F. M. Doherty. L. B. Chelders and
Beulah Feagles.
The muscles of the human Jaw ex
ert a force of 634 pounds.
Wholesale A Retail
IMS.
Oriental Rugs
Ouflfcegular Prices Are
25 LESS
than any other dealer "who has
sales. While Oriental Bugs are
getting scarce and prices advancing
rapidly, you can still buy Oriental
Rugs from us for less. Buy now,
as we do not believe Oriental Rugs
will be as reasonable and as plenti
ful as they are now.
Cartozian Bros.
' Importers of Oriental Rugs.
Washington at Tenth, Pittock Blk.
Established
Announcing for Today's Selling
i
By One Stroke One Price In One
A Disposal of All Our
Finest Tailored Suits
In the M ost Fashionable Models
and Finest Materials
1 Selling Heretofore at $40.00, $45.00 to $60.00
$20.00
Elegant suits of finest Broadcloth, Velvet. Wool Poplin and Wool
Velour. In black, navy, brown and green. Only a limited number, but
each model represents one of the best styles of the season. Fur and braid
trimmed. , Third Floor.
c"MorcUndio cf of Merit Only"
GUILT NOW DOUBTED
Letters, Indicate Lewis' Sui
cide Due to Reverses.'
GENERAL INQUIRY STARTED
District Attorney Rotan Summons
Investigators and All Whose
Names Have Been Linked With
Model's Murder to Hearing.
PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 8. District
Attorney Samuel P. Rotan. who on Sat
urday expressed the belief that Mazle
Colbert, the advertising art model, was
killed by Bernard W. Lewis, of Pitts
burg, Pa., who committed suicide at
Atlantic City as detectives were about
to nrrest him, today summoned many
Please
S I
TT
W 5
I
persons whose names have been Jinked
with the case In the hope of definitely
establishing the identity of the mur
derer and the nature of the motive.
Included among those summoned
were Captain of Detectives Tate and
virtually all the men under him who
have been working on the mysterious
case.
Others included relatives of the dead
girl, a police magistrate who is said
to have been acquainted with Miss Col
bert and several wealthy young men,
known to have been friendly with her.
Letters alleged to have been written
by Lewis In the middle of December
to relatives and friends In Pittsburg
that he was about to commit suicide be
cause he had made a failure of life
raised a doubt in the minds of some
interested in the case that Lewis may
have had no connection with the mur
der. Three Killed In Wreck.
PORT ANGELES, Wash.. Jan. 3. Con
ductor Clyde Gibson, of this city, and
two laborers were killed and Engineer
Harry Legeer. Fireman Bert Ferguson
and 20 laborers Injured today "when a
work train on the Seattle, Port An
geles & Western Railroad was wrecked
west of Majestic
Railroad Improving Street.
KELSO. Wash., Jan. 8. (Special.)
One of the worst mudholes of this city
Bring the Snow
Dine where . you may in private
homes, clubs, first class hotels and
cafes- you will hear this request with
amazing frequency. These crisp and
flaky crackers are just salted enough
to be particularly appetizing. They
are just'the thing for soups and bou
illons, while crackers and cheese are
never what crackers and cheese may
be unless Snow Flakes are used.
Like all Swastika Biscuits, you will find Snow
Flakes uniformly-high . in Quality. They are
sure to lend a zest to appetite.
Don't ask for Crackers say
' "Snow Hakes"
Pacific Coast Biscuit Company
Day
81 W
Time for
KODAKS
Complete Line on Sale,
First Floor
Alder Street
is being gotten rid of by tho Northern
Pacifio Railway Company filling ths
entire area betwen Front street and
tho railway tracks with clinkers.
FALL FROM HORSE FATAL
Martin Brandt, of Nolln, 16, Has
Spine Dislocated. i
PENDLETON. Or.. Jan. 8. (Special.)
Martin Brandt, of Molln, aged 16, died
yesterday as a result, of being thrown
from his horse Saturday night. The
young man was found lying in tho road
by John Bartley tteveral hours after
the accident occurred. He regained
consciousness. Dr. C. O. Walnscott. of
Hermlston, the attending physician,
says death was due to the dislocation
of the spine at the base of the skull.
Mr. Brandt and a brother had been
farming near Nolln. He is survived by
his father and mother. Mr. and Mr.
Paul Brandt; two brothers, Harry and
Walter, and four sisters. Mrs. Emil
Bielke. Mrs. Jake KinnanU Miss Mar
tha Brandt, of this county, and Mrs.
Laura Pragg, of Portland.
Gas mantles made of raonje fiber are
said to be in every way superior to
those made of cotton, and mantles of
silk and artificial silk are better still.
The silk fiber is longer and remains
unbroken during use.
Flakes ! 99