The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-04

CONCLUDED FROM PACED
of 5000 TO a Mr.. Evans. this amount 10
sation. Hansen Endorsed the contract, the
expectation being that Evans would act
as counsel at Washington, explaining any
details that might arise.
SHARP LETTER TO EVANS.
Later Mr.. Hansen said Christmas wrote
Evans the following letter, repudiating all
connection with him:
New York. March q
Richard p. Evans:
Dear Sir-Although IT is hardly neces-
sary for me TO add anything TO what I
already have said TO you In my CONVERSE
ton last Saturday in the presence OF my
attorney, Fischer Hansen. nevertheless. I'm
view OF the fact that / am dealing with a
bunch of scamps and swindlers OF which
you seem TO be the ringleader, 1 feel IL is
a duty TO again emphasize that under no
condition will / have anything whatsoever
TO do with you or your gang, and j hereby
expressly repudiate and cancel any and all
agreements that l may ever have entered
into with you. l shall not dwell upon all
lent scheme to which j have been subject
Suffice IL for me TO mention only a few
of the abominsble features OF the case that
but for the wide ~awakeness OF my attor-
ney, Fischer Hansen, would have led me TO
everlasting ruin and despair. Thus, for ex-
ample. you were introduced 10 me as a
former United States congressman, and as
such entitled to the title OF honorable
which l always took the pains TO
use. You stated to me that you
and that 1t was in compliance with the
wishes of President Mckinley and Secre-
tary Hay and for the beneht OF my plans
that a certain bill was introduced In Con-
gress by Congressman Gardner looking 10
the purchase of the West Indian islands.
You told me further that you were one OF
the leading spirits in the Associated Press,
and that as the country demanded the
Island you would permit your bureau 10 ex-
press that sentiment. On the basis or all
/ this Won EnrRRRnR1 in PUtOTf1nK from me a
contract. not 10 speak Of moneys that your
coconspirators have got away from me dt
various times. OF course, my plain duty
would be not only 10 repudiate my con-
tract with you, but to proceed against you
criminally. l do the first now. or rather
affirm my population to you of last sat
urday; the latter / am prevented from do
ing by reason of the fact that l leave Tor
Europe in the course of a few days
Mr.. Hansen said the copy OF this letter,
which he placed in evidence. was in Capt.
Christmas's handwriting.
In reply TO Mr.. Hit. Mr.. Hansen said
he had never received anything. from
Christmas, and had lent him $500 when ne
was hard up, which had not been repaid
There was much laughter and the inquiry
sen told of Christmas's promises to various
persons. On one occasion, Mr.. Hansen SAID,
Christmas met c. w. Knox in a dining
room and told him he had some ISLANDS 10
sell. Mr.. Knox said he knew a man who
knew Senator Hanna. As a result, CHRIST
mas was to pay Knox $4,000. In semi
humorous vein Mr.. Hansen told OF - being
paid on this promise. On another occasion.
Mr.. Hansen related, Christmas met In a sa-
loon one Nelkin Y. Walborg and told MN
he had some islands for sale" Hansen
said Walborg replied that was just in his
line Later, Hansen said, Christmas let
walborg have small sums, $40, SO and SD.
and knew nothing OF his connection Win an
international Press Association.
Representative Hit asked If this was
supposed to be the basis for charges affect
ing the American press.
Mr.. Hansen said il was; that Christmas's
only connection with the press was with
this Walberg.
NO CONGRESSMAN IMPLICATED.
Mr.. Hansen also told of a contract with b
Mr.. Rynert by which the latter was TO receive
$4,000 for services as counsel. He produced
a recent letter from Christmas, dated
March 2, stating that he had offered to
make a public declaration that no one in
Congress was interested in the sale and in
general repudiating all allegations On
which the inquiry is based.
Mr.. Richardson's cross-Questions sought
to develop what services were 10 be per-
formed for the various contracts. The wit
ness explained that it was the service OF
explaining and assisting along the transfer
by every legitimate means and read from
the contracts TO show that this was the OBJ
ject.
He stated with emphasis. in reply TO Mr..
| Hit, that from all his knowledge OF the
subject he was positive that no senator or
representative ever had any personal Inter-
est in the negotiations or ever was APP
preached, and he made this disclaimer
broad enoughto cover every one in and out
of Congress excepting the SPECIFIC cases
heretofore cited.
Melville E. Stone, general manager OF the
Associated Press. next testified. He stated
that ne had general charge OF all news
matters of the association and had fun
knowledge of all contracts and business af-
fairs. In response to Mr.. Dalzell's inquiry
Mr.. Stone said he had never met Christ
mas, had never seen him, and his only
knowledge OF the man was from the gen.
eral gossip on the subject recently appear
ing. Mr.. Dalzell asked IL Christmas ever
had any contract with the association. Mr.
Stone answered that there was no such
contract: there could not have been any
thing OF the kind without his knowledge;
the idea of such a contract was absurd.
He desired TO protest, Mr.. Stone added,
against the Juggling in of the Associated
Press, which he considered most imperti-
nent. He also showed the committee a
cablegram from Copenhagen saying an off,
cial note was issued to-day stating that the
Danish Ministry had no connection with
Christmas and refused to see him or TO re-
ceive a copy of his report.
August Reynert, a New York attorney.
told of meeting Christmas and agreeing
TO act as counsel in the sale Of the islands.
Mr.. Reynert said he never did any work
and never received any pay.
Richard p. Evans, an attorney of this
city, was next sworn. He said he first met
! Christmas through Walberg, who was de-
scribed as a music teacher, newspaper man
and translator. Christmas desired 10 en-
ploy Evans's services in connection with
the Danish matter and Evans said that A
contract was made just as in any other
matter. A copy Of the contract was pro-
duced. reciting that a contingent fee OF
$4,000 was to be paid Evans on the sue
cessful conclusion OF the negotiation. Wit
ness said he had never offered any induce
ment TO any one in Congress in connection
with the matter and in twenty-five years
experience he never knew such a thing
10 be done. There was absolutely no truth.
witness said. in Christmas's report stating
that he CEvans) represented Congressman
Gardner.
Asked by Mr.. Richardson as 10 what he
was TO do for the specified fee, Evans said IL
was for ordinary services in advancing the
interests OF the matter. Certainly. he said.
there was no element or bribery In the
transaction.
Mr.. Richardson inquired as 10 Walberg
and the International Press News Assoc
citation" The witness said he was a stock
holder In the association and he thought 10
probable this was the press association
Christmas claimed TO have bound 10 him.
Nels Gron made a brief supplementary
statement. saying his sole mission was TO
place the facts before Congress and the
public, not 10 max bribery charges: he was
DESTROYS of saving the honor OF two coun-
tries.
"A glorious mission remarked Chair
man DalZell.
The committee then adjourned until Nom
day.