New-York tribune., 1902-06-12
PAY FOR RECIPROCITY WORK.
F. r. THURBER SAYS HE GOT THREE
CHECKS FROM GENERAL WOOD
AND ONE FROM Mr..
HAV VEMEYER
nv The Associated Press.)

! Washington June 11-F. B. Thurber. of New
York the witness who has been wanted by the
/ Senate Committee on Relations with Cuba,
appeared before the committee to-day. Senator
I Teller produced copy of voucher for $3.50.
showing that this had been paid by the
/ military government of Cuba. by authority Of
/ Governor General Wood. the United States
/ Export Association. OF which Mr.. Thurber is
/ president
Mr. Thurber acknowledged that he had re-
ceived the amount. and said il one Of three
payments he had received from the same
source. The receipt dated April = 1907,
and says that it for advocating a reduc-
ton In the duties on Cuban products, with
reciprocal reduction on United States products
going into Cuba" Mr.. Thurber said he thought
/ 10000 worth of literature had been circulated
/ He also said he had received a contribution of
! $500 from Mr.. Havemeyer. of the American
Sugar Refining Company.
THE WORK Mr.. THURBER DID.
In reply to questions by Senator Teller, Mr..
| Thurber said he had been active in the effort
secure a reciprocal trade arrangement with
/ Cuba He had come to Washington originally
at the instance OF the Export Association and
/ also Of the Cubans. who were favoring reciproc-
/ ity-. He not he said, under salary from the
! Export Association, but he admitted that he
! received a percentage OF the fees for member
ship In the association Influenced by himself
He had sent out a large number Of circulars in
the interest Of a reduction of the duty on Cuban
sugar. and he submitted specimens of Of
them.
Being asked by Senator Teller who paid the
/ expense incident to the circulation of this lit
( erature Mr.. Thurber replied that the Cuban
committee had paid the larger part Of II. and
members of the association had paid part Of it.
He said he had been employed by the Cuban
/ Government for a time In he summer and fall
Of 1901 IN connection with the preparation Of
the Cuban tariff his employment being at the
instance OF Secretary Root.
In reply 10 further questions Mr.. Thurber
said that the money referred to had all come
through the Cuban committee but Senator Tel
Ter insisted that the voucher which he had pro-
duced could not have enanated from the Cuban
committee. Mr.. Thurber then said that all
done through an understanding that the Export
Association should do everything possible TO get
the industries a proper basis. He denied.
however. that the money paid verbal
order from General Wood. given while the latter
was in the United States
Asked what meant by the phrase leaders
Of thought in his bill to .he Cuban Govern
n1ent. Mr.. Thurber said that he had list Of
eighty thousand people in the United States who
represent something" 70 whom this literature
was sent.
In reply 10 a question by Mr.. Teller as 10
whether ne had consulted Mr. Havemeyer Of
the Sugar Trust in the preparation OF the Iitera-
ture Mr.. Thurber said:
After making my argument before the Ways
and Means Committee I told Mr. Havemeyer
that had been asked If I representing him
and asked him for a subscription. He gave me
q check toward meeting our expenses"
THE VOUCHERS EXHIBITED.
The following is a copy OF the receipt which
Mr. Teller submitted having been given by
him 70 the Cuban Government and which he
admitted be genuine:
Form s Voucher No. 81
Abstract b" account month OF April 1902,
New York, April -. 1902.
The United States Military Government OF the
Island Of Cuba. 10 the United States Export
Associa ton. Dr..
For sending a third edition Of eighty thousand
circular letters and accompanying publications
10 leaders Of thought in the United States. ad-
vocating a reduction in the duties upon Cuban
products. with a reciprocal reduction in the
duties upon American products imported into
Cuba 81. $50
Received payment United Export Association.
F. 3. THURBER, president.
April 2. 1902.
To service as per bill attached (see above). in
support Of the applications Of the inhabitants
OF the island Of Cuba for reciprocal tariff re-
latiors with the United States, $3.50.
Under authority OF General Wood. March 26,
1902
The document bore the following Endorsement:
Headquarters Department Of Cuba, Hayana. o9d.
The services herein charged for having been
performed under the verbal directions and au-
thority of the Military Governor, this voucher.
submitted, is approved and the auditor Is
authorized TO pass the same.
BY direction of the Military Governor.
FRANK MCCOY. Aide de Camp.
Paid by Check No. 403.15S April H. 1902. for
So $50 on Banco Nacional de Cuba.
In reply TO other questions Mr.. Thurber said
that three bills similar this had been rendered
by him and all had been paid
Mr.. Thurber. at the beginning Of his testi-
rnony, in response questions by Senator Platt,
said that he had tried avoid appearing
before the committee, but had been absent from
his home of the time since the receipt of
his first summons appear. which he had not
received until May 2S. notwithstanding 1t was
sent the 26th
SENS4 TTON IN THE .SENA TIE. |