Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-09
Alleged Telegram to Gov. Roosevelt
From B. B. Odeu.
ADVISED TO KEEP ANSWER SECRET
Thought Its Publication Would
Influence the Election.
ATTY. GEN. DAVIES LETTER

NEW YORK. November 9.-In connection
with the answer of Mayor Van Wyck to the
charges against him filed with Governor
Roosevelt regarding his alleged improper
connection with the American Ice Company
the World today prints a telegram purport-
ing to have been sent by B. B. Odell chair
man Of the republican state committee and
nominee of the republican state convention
for governor, to Governor Roosevelt, as
follows:
September 26, 1900.
Theodore Roosevelt Governor of New
York, Cripple Creek, Col:
Wire Attorney General Davies to be sure
not to give out to the reporters the Van
Wyck answer at this time. 1t must be held
until after the election is over. This would
imper:I chances and get us into a use
less wrangle. l have also wired Davies.
- tSigned) "B. 3. ODELL."
Mr.. Odell was asked at his home in New
burgh today to affirm or deny the authen-
ticity of the telegram. but refused to make
any statement "a this time.
Gov. RooseveIt's Statement.
A reporter called on Governor Roosevelt
at his home in Oyster Bay today and asked
him as to the genuineness of the telegram
given above. The governor declined to
make any statement beyond calling atten-
ton to the fact that about ten days before
the election he had said to newspaper re-
pOrterS that there was no possible objection
to Mayor Van Wyck giving out his answer,
but. as far as he was concerned, the usual
custom would be followed. and the answer
together with any communication from the
Attorney General would be made public at
the same time the decision was given out.
In the letter Of Attorney General Davies
to Governor Roosevelt. dated October A.
communicating the answer of Mayor Van
S yck- the attorney general says:
Mayor Makes Admissions
THE mayor by his answer admits that
j,rrr ,f l,1
been the owner of shares of stock in the
American Ice Company. He also admits
that during the period in which he was the
owner of such stock the American Ice
Company had contracts with the city for
the sale Of ice to various departments of
the city and for the leasing Of docks be-
longing to the city. In my opinion the own
er Of stock in the corporation is interested,
within the meaning of that word as en-
ployed in section 1888 of the Greater New
York charter, in contract between the
corporation and the city"
Further on in his letter to the governor
the attorney general says:
In order to justify the MAYORS removal
I do not believe that II is necessary to es-
tabltsh case against him upon which he
could be convicted of crime under the pro-
visions o. section 1913, above referred TO
but l do believe there should be clear and
satisfactory evidence of his moral guilt
1t is of the utmost Importance that no
further proceedings should be taken in this
charges can be sustained.
Mayor should Not BE HumiIfated
The mayor of the greatest city in Amer
lea should not be Inundated by being placed
upon trial upon charges which are ground
less or which cannot be proven. Under all
these circumstances, and in view of the fact
that the charges are made upon informal
ton and belief. and considering the great
expense both to that mayor and the state
involved in such a trial, l believe that be-
fore commissioner is appointed or any
further proceedings taken in this matter
you should require the petitioners to place
you in possession Of evidence, which stand
Ing alone and undisputed. would justify the
removal of the mayor.
In my Judgment, the mayors answer
should not be made public at this time. AS
l have already stated, it's denals and allie
cations are clear and explicit, and it might
at once be suggested that the charges
should be dismissed that commissioner
should at once be appointed, and the mayor
given a speedy opportunity to exonerate
himself
ou are power.ess to act in this matter
during your absence from this state You
cannot appoint a commissioner until you
reach his state. and l am informed that
Mr.. Woodruff will decline to take the re-
sponslbllty of appointing one"