New-York tribune., 1894-01-07

J. HALE SYPHER FILINGS THEM FREELY
AT OFFICIALS.
REPRESENTATIVE CUMMINGS CALLS HIN LIAR
r...rQ nAI. L. ~. n ncI

REPRESENTATIVE CUMMINGS CALLS HIN LIAR
LOOMING INTO PREMIUMS on wARsnIPS.
Washington. Jan. 6.-"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 to J. Hale Sypher a
former Representative in Congress from Louisiana,
and now practising attorney Of this city. The scene
was the room Of the House Naval Affairs Commit
tee. The subject before the committee was a reso-
luton introduced in the House 10y Mr.. Holman or
Indiana December 13 last. which set forth the
fact that more than $0OO0O0 had been paid out for
premiums to contractors engaged in the building Of
warshps that the ships were so built as to secure
a higher speed than required by the contract.
thereby permitting the contractor to earn these cX-
traordnary and unjustifiabe premiums. and there
fore that the Committee on Naval Affairs was in
structcd investigate the whole matter thoroughly
and learn especially whether 1t was through
the colusion Of any officer of the Government that
these premiums were secured.
Mr. Sypher appeared before the committee In sup
port OF the resouton. In the course Of his argu-
ment he openly chdrPed that the committee had
been formed for the express purpose of aiding the
contractors in securing these large premiums. Mr..
Huiick of Ohio. reminded Mr.. S!pher that his ac-
cusaton a grave one and asked If he aid not
know that Speaker Crisp himself appointed the
committees. Mr.. Sypher replied that he did. and
added that Speaker Crisp was also IN me rns ,,r
Hulick. that am here as a PAID attorney VI '"e
paid attorneys And" he added. glancing around
the room. Il am responsible for my utterances.
At q later point in the discussion Mr. Cummings
the chairman Of the committee read a letter & that
was personally handed to him Yesterday by Charles
H. Cramp the Philadelphia ShlpbullGcr. ihis Ietter
bore the date OF September .. II was ALLEGED t.
have been written by Mr.. Sypher to Nh. cramp 1t
contained newspaper clippings ana various pthcr
data going to show that the matter OF premiums
was one that was likely to be investigated by Con
gress during the present session. The writer SAD
that the cruiser New-York was fraud and that
II not unlikely that the premiums that had been
paid the contractors for excess OF speed would
have be refunded 10 the Government The sug-
gestion was made to Mr. Sypher by several mein-
been written with a view 10 securing his retention
by Mr. Cramp In professional way. to prevent
was his purpose. He was actuated. he said. 10y
conscientious motives only. and ne then proceeded
tary Tracy and other prominent officials o; the
Navy Department In cOlusOn with the con-
tractors Mr. sypher1 Wtnt We ,a on to & say M ,h"t w n
days later he came down t. Waah.ns,on WIN Mr.
Line that the two invited Secretary Herbert 70 II
luncheon. and in that way secured his friendly IN.
teresl in their Affairs Mr Sygnsr inSlnuaea tna
also under the influence of the shipbulders 1t wa
at this point that the chairman Indignantly sad
the attorney to conhne his future utterances 10
answering the questions which the committee pro
pounded TO him. This practically closed the Sos
Sion to-day which Will be continued again on Non
1t Yesterdays session OF the committee Philip
Hichborn. the chief constructor Of the Navy
addressed the committee for some time re,
gardng the question OF premiums He rdicui,d
the suggestion of cOlluson between the naval OIL
cals and the contractors. ana said @ that 'uch a
body from the Secretary clear through to the mem
bers OF the trial board. He explained the benefits
cases the Government did not lose dollar, mas
much as the. contract price was usually far below
the amount that would be paid If the contract were
made on the basis Of the maximum rate OF speed.