BECOMING ELECTRIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 31, 11 June 1913, Page 5

BECOMING ELECTRIC.

THE MARCONI ENQUIRY. SOLE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION IN THE LOLLY. THE MASTER OF EUBANK. ;By ELECTRIC 'LeEEUBAI’H —Coi’VRIGIITj [United Press Association. 1 London, June 10. Tlie solo topic of discussion in the lobby is the Marconi Committee’s disclosures. The Liberals dread lur-

cher revelations. One Liberal stated that the thing is a malignant cancer, which, when directly killed in one direction, breaks out in another.

Many Liberals blame the Master of Elibank for not returning earlier. They demand that the Committee shall close its evidence and prepare an interim report.

The Unionists consider that the latest disclosures necessitate keeping the investigation open.

An angry scene in the House of Commons was narrowly averted, owing to a Tory calling out, when Mr Illingworth entered the House, “Hen comes the co-trustee!”

to a. question, Mr Asquith

said that he had not heard of the Master of Elibank’s purchases ’ until last week, when Mr Illingworth informed him. Ho did nob know whether the investments in American Marconi shares concerned the party funds. Mr 11, McNeill asked whether Mr Asquith was aware that the Master 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 he had no knowledge. The Daily News, protesting against the Tory alarum excursions, says that the chief whip of the Party is uncontrolled master of the party funds. If the Master of Elibank invested them unfortunately, so much the worse for the party. But the matter had nothing to do with the Marconi enquiry. Any grievance is a grievance of the party against the former whip as financier.

The Chronicle censures Sir Albert Spicer for not disclosing the Master of Elibank’s telegrams. The Chronicle says that it has always been of opinion that the purchase of American Marconis by Ministers ■was injudicious, but not corrupt. ?Tlie mistake was much aggravated last October. The latest disclosures are of little importance. The purchase of a few thousand more shares made little difference.

Chesterton has paid his fine. Replying to Sir A. Spicer, the Master of Elibank telegraphed that he is in the midst of highly important negotiations with the Columbian Government, and then with negotiations with Mexico and the West Indies, bill that when ho reurns he will make a personal satement in Parliament. At the inquiry, Lord Robert Cecil asked Mr Salaman, the nature of the trust.

The Libera] members objected,- apparently fearing disclosures relating to the Party funds. There was considerable bickering, and the room was cleared. When the public were readmitted, Mr Sabunan replied that the shares were registered in the names of the Master of Elibank and Mr Illingworth. There was a sensation when, in further examination, Mr Salaman disclosed other dealings, the whole resulting in Fenner owing £30,000, Meanwhile a message was sent to Mr Illingworth that his name had been mentioned, and he presented himself for examination. The room was crowded by many Commoners. Mr filingworth said that he had no inkling until the end of last month, when he sent for Captain Murray, who told him of the Master of Elibank’s purchases on behalf of the Liberal Party. The finances of the Party were uncontrolled, and were at the discretion ot the chief whip. Mr Illingworth added that his only connection with the matter was a second name in connection with registrations of securities. I he Master of Elibank’s cheques wore drawn on the Charing Cross branch of the National Bank, which was not the bank where the party funds were usually kept. Ho protested that the Master of Elibank was the most cruelly slandered man in the country. “When lies are flying about like swarms of “midgets,” lie added, “I don’t want to let fall a word of condemnation.”

During tho examination, frequently three or four members were firing questions simultaneously. Sir A. Spicer was seemingly powerless. Mr Amery suggested that the Party funds were the real creditors for the £BO,OOO in f'Vnner’s estate.

The -re was an angry scene, the Liberals crying ‘'.No! Eli bank is personally the creditor.”

Captain Murray will give evidence to-day.

VISCOUNT ELIRAXK’S SOX IX THE WITXESS BOX. “FREE FROM DISHOXOUJI.” (Received 10.50 a.m.) London, June 10. ft is noteworthy that Marconi shares for which Viscount Elibank paid upwards of 60s are now under 1 or. Captain Murray, in evidence, stated that Viscount Elibank, before leaving England, handed him three thousand Marconis which had been purchased for the Liberal Party. Viscount Elibank proposed to retain the . bares until the .Marconi business had been cleaned tip so that nobod\ but himself should be involved. He similarly informed bis legal adviser, but

did not inform his colleagues. V itnoss believed that iscount Elibank s transaction if indiscreet was perfectly free from dishonor. Witness thought that if the transaction were disclosed it would be used to make political capital at the expense ot the party. In reply to a question be stated that he thought it quite probable that nothing could have been heard of the Liberal Party’s purchase if the Fenner incident bad not occurred. He was unable to say whether Fenner’s indebtedness was due to the Liberal Party or to Viscount Elibank personally.

The committee is considering an in term report.