The Topeka state journal., 1900-11-09
ICE TRUST ECHOES
Why Mayor Wyck's Answer
Was Not Made Public.
Chairman Odell Feared the Eff
feet on Election.
TELEGRAM is FOUND.
Was Sent to Gov. Roosevelt at
Cripple Greek.
Attorney General Davies Ad-
Eised Action on Case.
TELEGRAM is FOUND.

New York, Nov. 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 COM
pany, the World today prints a telegram
purporting to have been sent by B. B.
Odell chairman of the Republican state
committee and nominee of the Republi-
can state convention for governor, to
Governor Roosevelt, as follows:
September 26, 1900, to Theodore
Roosevelt, governor Of New York, Grip
pie Greek, Colo: Wire Attorney General
Davies to be sure not to give out to
the reporters the Van Wyck answer at
this time. It must be held until after
the election IS over This would I'M
peril our chances and get US into a use
less wrangle. I have also wired Davies.
sB. B. ODELL-''
Mr.. Oden was asked at his home in
Newburgh today to affirm or deny the
authenticity of the telegram, but re-
fused to make any statement at this
time.
A reporter called on Governor Roose-
velt at his home in Oyster Bay today
and asked him to the genuineness
of the telegram given above. The gov
ernor declined to make any statement
beyond calling attention to the fact that
about ten days before the election he
had said to newspaper reporters that
there was no possible objection to Mayor
Van Wyck giving out his answer, but so
1aT as ne was concerned the usual Gus
tom 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 Da-
vies to Governor Roosevelt, dated Oc-
tober 4, communicating the answer of
Mayor Van Wyck, the attorney general
'',Ehe mayor by his answer admits that
during his incumbency of the Office he
has been the owner of shares of stock in
the American Ice company. He also ad-
nits that during the period in which he
was the owner of 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
belonging to the city. In my opinion the
owner of stock in the corporation is in
terested within the meaning of that word
as employed in section 1888 of the
Greater New York charter"
Further ON in his letter to the gov
ernOr the attorney general says:
''In order to justify the mayors re-
mova1, do not believe that it is neces-
sary to establish a case against him
upon which he could be convicted of a
crime under provisions of section 1883,
above referred, but do believe there
should be clear and satisfactory evil
dence of his moral guilt.
1T is of the utmost Importance that
no further proceedings should be taken
in this matter unless you are satisfied
IQaL LnG Gn3ISGS can De SuSld41Gd L lAS
mayor of the greatest city in America
should not be Inundated by being
placed upon trial upon charges which
are groundlesS or which can not be
proved. Under all these circumstances
and in view of the fact that the charges
are made upon information and belief
and considering the great expense both
to the mayor and state involved in such
a trial, 1 believe that before a commits
sioner is appointed or any further pro-
ceeding taken in the matter you should
require the petitioners to place you in
possession of evidence which used
stand alone and undisputed would justi-
fly the removal of the mayor.
I'm my judgment the mayors answer
should not be made public at this time.
AS I have already stated, its denials
and allegations are clear and explicit,
and it might at once be suggested that
the charges should be dismissed or that
a commissioner should at once be ap-
pointed and the mayor be given a
speedy opportunity to exonerate himself
fYou are powerless to act in this mat
ter during your absence from this state.
You can not appoint a commissioner
until you reach this state and I am in
formed that Mr.. woodruff will decline
to take the responsibility of appointing