The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-03
M'KINLEY TESTIFIES.
Brother of Late President De-
MES Christmas Charges.

Washington, April 3.-The investiga-
ton of charges with the Danish West
Indies negotiations was resumed today
by the house special committee having
it in charge.
Among those present when the hearing
began were Abner Mckinley, Col. w. c.
Brown, Carl Fischer Hansen and Repre-
sentative Gardner of New Jersey.
MI Mckinley was the first witness.
He gave his residence at New York,
his business that of a lawyer and in re-
Spouse to Chairman Dalzell's inquiry he
said he was brother of the late presi-
dent Asked as to whether he knew
Captain Christmas, the witness said he
had met him once in the most casual
way in the lobby of the Manhattan
hotel, New York. He never held any
conference with him of any kind or
Was there any talk Of the Danish
West Indies?" asked Mr.. Dalzell
None whatever, either remotely or
otherwise" answered the witness.
Mr.. Mckinley went on to say that he
had never mentioned the matter to the
president He had no meeting with
Christmas beyond this casual one when
there was nothing except an exchange
Of the cOurtesies of the day.
Representative Richardson asked the
witness if he knew Mr.. Hansen.
Mr. Mckinley said he had known
Hansen for some time and prior to the
casual meeting WITH christmas. hansen
had desired to retain him in this mat
ter. In reply the witness said he told
Mr.. Hansen he could have nothing to
do with it. Subsequently, when he met
Christmas he passed the time of day
and that was the end of it.
Mr. Richardson asked if Mr.. McKin-
ley ever had any talks with the Selig-
mans on the subject. Mr. Mckinley said
he had never had any conversation with
them on the transaction or with any
one Hansen, as he stated.
Representative Gardner followed with
a statement disclaiming all knowledge
of Christmas except of the most casual
character Some enc he said had asked
permission to present a lady and gentle
man at his 1GaFdner's) room. There
was a brief meeting; the card bore the
name Of Christmas. That was the extent
of his acquaintance with Christmas. Mr..
Gardner said he had taken some in
terest in the acquisition of the Danish
West Indies and had introduced a bill
on the subject but this before Christmas
had made the casual call
Mr. Gardner also disclaimed going
over the subject with a Mr.. Evans who
had been mentioned in the matter ex-
cept in a sidewalk conversation when in
quiries were made as to the prospects
of q sale of the Danish islands.
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr.. Gardner
knew of the International Press as
sociatiOn.
Mr.. Gardner said he did; he had been
a stockholder in the concern, which at
one time represented several New Jer-
sey newspapers.
Colonel W. c. Brown testified that he
met Christmas once at the Manhattan
hotel in New York. He had no con-
versation with him but at that one
meeting. except the usual Interchange
of courtesies. He had no business rela-
lions with him: none was spoken of at
that meeting which was the only one.
To Mr.. Richardson's question Colonel
Brown said he had no contract with
Christmas or Hansen or any one In Gon-
nection with the Danish matter.