New-York tribune., 1900-12-11
CHAMBERLAIN REPLIES.
DENoUNCES CHARGES OF INTEREST IN
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
DECLARES HE HAS NEVER BEEN ASKED
TO USE HIS INFLUENCE FOR HIS
GAIN OR HIS RELATIONS

GAIN OR HIS RELATIONS.
London. Dec I'D. Lloyd-George, Radical.
Member for Carnarvon District tonight
brought together a series Of accusations against
Mr.. Chamberlain that had been figuring in the
newspapers, and moved THAI no member of the
Government ought to have a direct indirect
interest In concerns competing for Government
contracts He pointed out that the Secretary
Of State for the Colonies held five thousand
shares and other members OF his family sixty
seven thousand shares in the Birmingham Trust.
which in turn was a share owner in the Tubes
Limited. making 10000 a year out of Govern
ment contracts. He asserted also that Mr..
Chamberlain and his relations held shares worth
f230OO0 to f2500O0 in Elliotts Metal Company,
contractors to the Admiralty, and shares valued
ct f2J0OO0 in Kynoch's Dynamite Company,
contractors to the War Office. After enumerat-
ing other companies in which the Chamberlain
family. he asserted, had interests Mr.. George
declared that he was not attacking the private
character of the Minister, but had raised the
matter because this case might be used as
precedent later to justify corruption After
various speeches for and against the resolution.
MI Chamberlain replied as follows:
It Is my personal honor that is involved in this
question, and think it hard, after twenty-five
years Of life in the full light Of Parliament, 10
have TO stand up and explain that / am not
scandalous thief These attacks are monstrous
and absurd. 1 took no notice of the charges
during the election, although there had been
conspiracy Of insinuation. I had been charged
with fattening on the profits Of war 1 had
provoked.
OF all the companies mentioned hold shares
IN two. My relations intend to take legal pro-
ceedings. and the public will see how these
abominable charges will be dealt with by the
courts. Ny relations are all business men, and
have had 10 make their own fortunes. 1
Of family which boasts nothing of distin-
guished birth or inherited wealth, but has an
unbroken record for nearly two centuries of un-
stained commercial integrity. Never during the
whole course of my political career have I been
gain for myself or my relations.
Proceeding TO explain his connection with the
two companies, Mr.. Chamberlain said he had
Joined the Colombo company twenty-t three years
ago. Its shares had never been quoted on the
Stock Exchange. The contract to build huts for
Boer prisoners in Ceylon was given to the Co
lombo company on the responsibility Of the local
government, without any communication with
himself. So far the Birmingham Trust was
concerned. he said he knew nothing whatever
Of !ts investments, although he had recently
ascertained that there was a triHing investment
in the Tubes Limited. His brother managed
the business of that organization. but the COM
pany's already small business with the Admi-
rally had largely decreased. After having made
further explanations Of a similar kind, Mr..
Chamberlain exclaimed, amid Ministerial cheers:
Is it not hard TO have to deal with such rub
bish as this? When all is reckoned up. perhaps
my indirect interest in Government contracts is
few pounds or even shillings; and yet the
House Of Commons is called upon TO pass
solemn resolution which will not strike me but
will be sef-denying ordinance for many mem
bers who do not anticipate that result.
In al eloquent peroration the Colonial Secre-
tary declared that the attacks had not injured
him, but had given pain to a number of private
individuals Those who had made them, he as
serted, had introduced into public life unworthy
methods, and had made it more difficult for hon
orable and sensitive men to serve the country.
He was loudly cheered as he resumed his seat
His son. Mr.. ]. Austen Chamberlain. Financial
Secretary TO the Treasury Department. followed
with similar denials
For the opinion of the public on Mr.. Cham
berlains reply it is not necessary TO consult the
Liberal papers. The Conservative STANDARD"
in an editorial this morning approves the ver-
dict Of Parliament but puts the matter in
nutshell thus:
We could have wished that Lord Salisbury
had been able TO obtain more talent outside OF
his family circle, and that Mr. Chamberlain
held no shares in any public company to which
Government contracts are given.