The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-07
"FOU'RE LIhRAND roo RNOWIT."
The Language Amos j. Cummings Applied
to Mr. rNpper.

WASHINGTON, Jan. e.-"You're a
liar. and you know IT," was the startling
exclamation which fell from the lips Of
Representative Amos J. Cummings, Of
New York. at the Capitol to-day.
The remark was addressed 10 j. Hale
Sypper, a former representative in Con-
gress from Louisiana, and now practic-
ing attorney of this city. The scene was
the room of the Naval Affairs Committee.
The subject before the committee was a
resolution introduced In the House by Mr..
Holman. Of Indiana, on December 10Th
last, which set forth the fact that more
than 81 100000 had been paid out 10 con
tractors engaged in the building OF war
ships for premiums: that the ships were
so built as TO secure a higher speed ihan
was required by the contract, thereby
permitting the contractors TO earn these
extraordinary and unjustifable premiums,
and therefore, that the COMMITTEE on
Naval Affairs was instructed to investi-
gate the whole matter thoroughly, and
10 learn especially whether through the
collusiOn of any officer of the Government
these premiums were secured.
sypper's wholesa charges.
Svnper appearod before the committee
in s,lpp0rt of the resolution. In the course
OF his argument he openly charged that
the committe had been formed Tor the eN7
press purpose Of aiding the contractors IN
securing these large premiums. Mr.. HUI
lick. of Ohio. reminded Sypper that his
accusation was a very grave one, ana
asked if he did not know that Speaker
Crisp himself appointed the committees.
Syppcr replied that he did, and added that
Sneaker Crisp was also lin the ring.
"And do YOU mean TO insinuate," que
ried Hulick. that 1 am here as paid
oftornav of fhe contractors ~
Il do" bluntly replied Sypper. Il think
you are all paid attorneys. And ne
added. glancing around the room, Il am
responsible fOs my utterances.'
AT a later point in the discussion, Mr.
Cummings, the chairman Of the commit
tee read a letter that was personally
handed to him yesterday, by Charles
II. Cramp, the Philadelphia shp-bullder.
This letter bore the date of 18th. 1t
was alleged to have been written by
Sypper TO Cramp. 1t contained news
paper clippings and various other data, 10
show that the matter Of premiums was
one that was likely TO be investigated by
Congress during the present session. The
writer stated that the cruiser New York
was a fraud. and that it was not un-
likely that the premiums that had been
paid the contractors for excess of speed
would have TO be refunded to the govern
ment. The suggestion was made TO Syp-
per. by several members OF the commit
tee that the letter might have been writ
ten with a view to securing the retention
by Cramp, in q professional way, TO
prevent the investigation. Sypper hotly
denied that such was his purpose. He
was actuated, he said. by conscientious
motives only, and he then proceeded
again to charge that Secretary Herbert
ex-Secretary Tracy and other prominent
officials of the Navy Department were
in colusion with the contractors. Sypper
went on TO say that Cramp had not an
swered mis- letter, but that a few days
later he came down TO Washington with
Mr. Criscomb. the president of the Amerl-
can Steamship Line; that the two invited
Secretary Herbert 10 a luncheon, and in
that way secured his friendly interest in
their affairs.
Cummings Speaks out.
Sypper also insinuated that Cummings.
the chairman Of the committee was also
under the influence of the ship-bulders.
1t was at this point that the chairman
Indignantly said that Sypper was an en-
phatic liar, and curtly requested the at
tornev 10 confne his future utterances to
answering the queries which the COM
mittee propounded TO him. This practi-
caliy closed the session of the committee
to-day. which will be continued again on
Monday
AZ yesterdays session Of the committee
Philip HichbOrn, the assistant chief con-
structor Of the navy appeared and ad-
dressed the committee for some time re-
garding the question Of premiums He
ridiculed the suggestion Of collusion be-