The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-12

Voucher Identified as One of Three
Payments Received.

WASHINGTON, June 11--F. B. Thurber,
president of the Exporters Association, the
witness that has been wanted by the COM
mittee Cuban relations, was before the
committee to-day. Senator Teller produced
a copy of a voucher for s., $50, showing that
that sum had been paid by the military
government of Cuba by authority of Gov
ernor Wood TO the United States Export
Association of which Thurber is president.
Thurber acknowledged that he had received
the amount, and said it was one of three
payments he had received. The following is
a copy of the receipts which Mr.. Teller sub
mitted as having been given by Mr.. Thur
ber to the Cuban government and which
the witness admitted to be genuine:
I"Form S, Voucher No 81
Abstract B, account month of April, 1902.
New York. April 2, 1902.
1.-The United States military government
of the Island of Cuba to the United States
Export Association. DIR.
For sending third edition of $4,000 circu-
lar letters and accompanying publications
to leaders of thought in the United States
advocating a reduction in the duties upon
Cuban products with a reciprocal reduc
ton in the duties on American products i'm
ported into Cuba, S2,SS0.
Received payment.
UNITED STATES EXPORT AsSOCIA-
TION.
"F. B. THURBER. President
April 2. 1902
above) in support of the applications of in
habitants OF the Island of Cuba for
reciprocal tariff relations with the United
Under authority of General Wood
March 26 1902"
The document bore the following indorse-
ment:
Headquarters Department of Cuba
Havana April 10.-The services herein
charged for having been performed under
the verbal directions and authority of the
military Governor. this voucher, as sub
mitted. is approved and the auditor is
authorized to pass the same.
"By direction of the military government
FRANK MCOY. Aid -de-camp.
paid by check No. 403. 15S, April II, 1902
for 81, $50, on Banco Nacional de Cuba
In reply to other questions Mr.. Thurber
said that three bills similar to this had
been rendered by him and that all had been
paid.
of literature had been circulated. he SAID
he had received a contribution of 81 500 from
Mr.. Havemeyer, of the Sugar Refining
Company, when he solicited that gentle
man for a subscription.
In response to questions by Senator Tell
er, Mr.. Thurber said he had been active in
the effort to secure reciprocal arrange
ment with Cuba. He had come to Wash
export associa ton and also of the Cubans
who were favoring reciprocity. He was
association, but he admitted that he re-
ceived a percentage on the fees for men,
bership in the association influenced by
himself
The witness said he had circulated a
large number of circulars in the interest of
a reduction of the duty on Cuban sugars,
and he submitted specimens of some of
them. Being asked by Senator Teller who
paid the expense incident to the circula-
tion of this literature. the witness replied
that the Cuban committee had paid the
- q
association had paid part of it. He said
he had been in the employ of the Cuban
government for time in the summer and
fall of 1901 in connection with the prepara-
tion of the Cuban tariff, his employment
being at the instance of Secretary Root.
In reply to questions. Mr. Thurber SAID
that the money referred TO above had all
come through the Cuban committee, but
Senator Teller insisted that the voucher
which he had produced could not have
emanated from the Cuban committee. Mr.
Thurber then said that all was done
through an understanding that the export
association shall do all possible to get the
industries on a proper basis. He denied,
however that the money was paid on a
verbal order from General Wood given
while the latter in the United States.
Asked what was meant by the phrase
Cuban government, Mr.. Thurber said that
he had list of 5000 people in the United
States who represent something" 10
whom this literature was sent
In reply TO a question by Mr.. Teller as TO
whether he had consulted Mr. Havemeyer
of the sugar trust. in the preparation of the
literature Mr.. Thurber said: After max
ing my argument before the ways and
means committee / told Mr.. Havemeyer |
had been asked if l was representing him.
and asked him for a subscription. He gave
me a check toward meeting our expenses" :"
Prof H w. Wiley. chief of the chemistry
division of the Agricultural Department.
followed Mr. Thurber on the stand. His tes-
timony was devoted 10 an exposition of the
European kartel bounty on sugar. which
tire reduction in the price of sugar which
had taken place throughout the world in
the last two years.