MARCONI SHARES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 7

MARCONI SHARES.

ALLEGED PURCHASE FOR THE LIBERAL PARTY.

CHIEF WHIP'S EVIDENCE. TENSE SCENE AT INQUIRY. Dy telegraph—®resß Association—Copyright London, June 9. At the sittings of tho Marconi Committee, the Chairman (Sir Albert Spicer), announced that though pressed in April to return and give evidence, Lord Murray, of Elibank, had cabled that he would Iw unable to attend before July. Mr. Salaman testified that the account that appeared in Tenner's ledgers was that of Lord Murray and Mr. I'. H. lllingworth, M.P. (Chief Liberal Whip), and a Junior Lord of tho Treasury, jointly, but that tho account was not connected with Marconi shares. Witness said he believed Lord Murray's trust account and tho other account in his name wero one and the same. The trust account did not record any deals in Marconi shares, but tho other did. Lord Murray of Elibank was creditor for .£30,000 in Tenner's estate. Mr. Illingworth testified that Lord Murray's brother told him that Lord Hurray' had purchased three thousand American Marconi shares for the Liberal Party, and when witness assumed the Chief Whipship of the Liberal Party in succession to Lord Murray, the latter had handed over the party's securities. The securities did not, however, include any Marconi shares. When Lord Robert Cecil (Unionist) asked Mr. Salaman to explain the nature of the trust, the Liberal members objected, apparently fearing disclosures relating to the Party funds. There was considerable bickering in tho room, which was thereupon clcared. When the public were readmitted Mr. Salanian replied that'the shares had been registered in the names of Lord Elibauk and Mr. Illingworlh. This statement created a sensation. Under further examination Mr. Salaman disclosed-other dealings, the whole resulting from Feuner owing tKIO.OOO. Meanwhile a message had been sent to Mr. Illingworth to the effect that his name had been mentioned. Tile Chief Whip came to the Toom and presented himself for examination. The room was crowded, many members of Ihe House being present. Mr. Illingworth said ihat he lmd hod no inkling until the end of last month, when ho sent for Captain Murray—who told him .of Lord Elibank's purchases on behalf of the Liberal Party—that the finances of the Party were administered at the uncontrolled discretion of the Chief Whip. Mr. Illingworth added that his only connection with the matter was as a second name in connection with registrations of the securities. Lord Elibaiik's cheques were drawn on the Charing Cross branch of the National Bank, which was not the bank where the Party fumds wero usually kept. He protested that Lord Elibank had been the most cruelly slandered man in the country. "When lies are flying about like swarms of midgets," he said, "I don't want to let fall a word of condemnation.," Frequently during- the examination three or four members were firing questions , simultaneously, Sir Albert Spicer being seemingly Jiowerless to maintain order. Mr. Leopold Amery (Unionist) suggested that the Party funds were the real .creditors in the <£'30,000 item in Fenner's estate. An angry scene followed, the Liberals crying "No!" '' QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE, MR. ASQUITH DOES NOT KNOW. (Rcc. June 10, 11.25 p.m.) London, Juno 10, Many of tho Liberals blame Lord Muri raj' of Elibank for not returning earlier to give evidence. They demand that the Inquiry Committee shall close the hearing of evidence, and prepare an interim report. The Unionists consider that the latest, disclosure:! necessitate keeping the investigation open. Ail angry scene in tho House of Commons waif narrowly averted when u Tory called out when Mr. Illingworth (Chief Government Whip) entered the flbuse:' "Here comes the co-trustee!" Replying to a question, Mr. Asquith 1 (tho Prime Minister), said that ho had not heard of Lord Murray's share purchases until last week, when Mr. Illingworth informed him. He did Jiot know whether tho investments in American "Marconis" wero concerned with the party funds: Mr. R. M'Neill (Unionist) asked whether Mr. Asquith was aware that Lord Murray of Elibank had paid almost ,£IO,OOO for these shares, whereas ho had secured the previous shares at a lower price. Mr. Asquith replied that ho had ro knowledge of that. ' LIBERALS APPREHENSIVE. INQUIRY "A MALIGNANT CANCEIi," (Rec. June 10, 11.10 p.m.) London, June 10. The Marconi disclosures aro the sole topic of discussion in the lobby. The Liberals dread further revelations. One momber of the Liberal party stated that the "thing was a malignant cancer—directly it is killed in one direction it breaks out in another." THE PARTY FUNDS. (Rec. June 10, 11.25 p.m.) London, Juuo 10. Tho "Doily News," protesting against "these Tory alarums and excursions," says that the Chief Whip-of the party is tho uncontrolled • master of tho party funds. If Lord Murray of Elibank invested them unfortunately, so much lho worse for the party, but ihe matter had nothing to do with tho Marconi Inquiry. If thero were any grievance, it was a grievance of the party against a former Whip as its financier.

i'liu "Daily Chronicle" censures Sir Albert Spicer for not disclosing Lord Elibank's telegrams. "We have held the opinion," it says, "that tlie purchase of American 'Marconis' by Ministers was injudicious, but not corrupt. The mistake lias been much aggravated by not being frankly disclosed last October. The latest disclosures are of little importance. Tho purchase of a few thousand more shares makes little difference." LORD MLRUAY TELEGRAPHS. (Hoc. June 11, 0.20 a.m.) London, .tune 10. Replying to Sir Altert Spicer (chairman of the Marconi Inquiry Committee), Lord Murray of Klibank has telegraphed: "In the midst of highly important negotiations with the Columbian Government", then negotiations with Mexico and West Indies. When return shall desire to make personal statement in Parliament." Ml?.' CHESTERTON PAYS HIS FIXE, (liee. .Mine 11. 0.20 a.m.) . London, .Tune 1(1. Mr. Cecil Chesterton has paid Ihc fine of J-'IOO awarded to Mr. Godfrey Isaacs ill tiio recent libel action. '