(Mr. Dunn was sworn by the chairman.)
Senator SMITH.
Where do you reside, Mr. Dunn?
Mr. DUNN.
Beechhurst, Long Island.
Senator SMITH.
How old are you?
Mr. DUNN.
Thirty-five years old.
Senator SMITH.
What is your business?
Mr. DUNN.
Salesman.
Senator SMITH.
What do you know, Mr. Dunn, with reference to the receipt of a telegram addressed to "Islefrank," or "Franklin," and received by an operator on Monday morning, April 15, about 8 o'clock? Kindly tell us.
Mr. DUNN.
On April 18, at luncheon, with an acquaintance, we were discussing the disaster of the Titanic, and also the supposed reinsurance of the cargo; and we wondered why it was that the news was held back until Monday morning. The question arose that there were rumors that there was a telegram delivered at the Western Union office to be delivered, or a message had been received by wireless addressed to Islefrank; and the wireless people, not knowing who Islefrank was, in turn turned that telegram over to the Western Union people to deliver to Islefrank. It appears that the telegram was delivered at the White Star office between half-past 7 and 8 o'clock that Monday morning.
Senator BURTON.
One moment. What is the source of this information? You say; "It appears."
Senator SMITH.
I am going to run that down, Judge, in just a moment. These questions are merely preliminary. Go right ahead and state just what you know about the matter, Mr. Dunn.
Mr. DUNN.
That ends the conversation regarding the telegram. That ends with simply the fact that the company delivered it between half-past 7 and 8 o'clock that Monday morning.
Senator SMITH.
I would like you to give me the name of your informant.
(The witness did not reply.)
Senator SMITH.
Do you know his name?
Mr. DUNN.
I do.
Senator SMITH.
I would like to have you give it to the committee.
Mr. DUNN.
I pledged my word that I would not disclose his name.
Senator SMITH.
Did he exact that pledge from you?
Mr. DUNN.
He did.
Senator SMITH.
Have you since tried to be released from that pledge?
Mr. DUNN.
I have.
Senator SMITH.
When did you last see your informant?
Mr. DUNN.
At five minutes to 6 last night.
Senator SMITH.
Where?
Mr. DUNN.
At the Pennsylvania depot.
Senator SMITH.
What did he say to you?
Mr. DUNN.
He agreed to come on here this morning to testify.
Senator SMITH.
Did he come?
Mr. DUNN.
He did not.
Senator SMITH.
Under the circumstances, it seems to me that it would be very proper for you to give the committee his name, on account of his failure to keep his word.
Mr. DUNN.
The only thing I have from him is simply a telegram received from him. Here is the telegram.
Senator SMITH.
Just read it, please, for the information of the committee.
Mr. DUNN. (reading):
Regret circumstances do not permit departure. No. sig.
Senator SMITH.
It is signed: "No sig."; dated, "Brooklyn, N. Y., April 29-12," and addressed: "Edward J. Dunn." Down in the left hand corner is the notation, "11.45 p.m. I ask you again, Mr. Dunn, to give me the name of your informant.
Mr. DUNN.
I cannot do it.
Senator SMITH.
I must insist upon it, Mr. Dunn. I dislike very much to press you.
Mr. DUNN.
I tried to communicate with this gentleman this morning by telephone, and I have been informed that he was not at his place of business. Usually he arrives there very early, and it was 8.15 when I telephoned him, and he had not been there up to that time.
Senator SMITH.
What is his business?
Mr. DUNN.
He is engaged in the same business I am in.
Senator SMITH.
What is that?
Mr. DUNN.
Importing wall papers.
Senator SMITH.
I think I shall insist, Mr. Dunn, that you give us his name.
My associates say that we must have his name.
Mr. DUNN.
I regret it very much, Senator, but I can not give it to you.
Senator SMITH.
Of course, you can see its importance.
Mr. DUNN.
I realize the fact that it is important.
Senator SMITH.
Did your informant advise you what the result would be if you gave his name to the public?
Mr. DUNN.
It was simply a matter of protecting his father.
Senator SMITH.
What did he say about his father?
Mr. DUNN.
He said his father had been a man who was employed by the Western Union people for a great many years, a man pretty well advanced in years, and he said that if this matter come out, knowing he was the one who was supposed to have this information, he would lose his position.
Senator SMITH.
Just retire from the stand a moment, Mr. Dunn, and go to my office. I want to call Mr. Morgan for just a moment. He is the deputy marshal from Cleveland.
(Witness Excused.)