Morris tribune., 1902-04-05
NOT IN THE DEAL
ABNER M'KINLEY AND OTHERS
TESTIFY IN DANISH WEST
INDIES AFFAIR.
CHRISTMAS STORY DENIED
Be- s !, . : ! -.

Mr.. Mckinley Says He Met the Danish
Agent Once in the Most Casual Way
but Never Discussed the Sale of the
IsIands-CoIoneI w. c. Brown, Rep
resentative Gardner and Carl Fisher
Hansen Also on the Stand.
Washington, April 4.-The investiga-
ton of charges in connection with the
Danish West Indies negotiations was
resumed during the day by the house
special committee. Among those pres
ent when the hearing began were Alb
ner Mckinley, Colonel w. G. Brown,
Carl Fisher Hansen and Representa-
tive Gardner of New Jersey.
Mr.. Mckinley was the first witness.
He gave his residence as New York,
his business that of a lawyer and in
response to Chairman Dalzell's inquiry
be said he was a brother of the late
president. Asked as to whether he
knew Captain Christmas he 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
character.
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 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 ex-
change 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, Han
sen had desired TO retain him IN the
In reply, the witness said he told
Mr.. Hansen he could have nothing to
do with it, subsequently when he net
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 conversa-
ton with them on this transaction or
with anyone except Hansen, as he
stated.
Congressman Gardner 'Testifies.
Representative Gardner followed
with statement disclaiming all
knowledge of Christmas except of the
most casual character. Some one, he
said. had asked permission to present
lady and gentleman at his Gard
ners) room. There was brief meet
ing and the card left bore the name of
Christmas. That was the extent of his
acquaintance with Christmas. Mr..
Gardner said he had taken some inter
est in the acquisition of the Danish
West Indies and had introduced a bill
on the subject. But this was before
Christmas has made the casual call.
Mr.. Gardner, also disclaimed going
over the subject with Mr.. Evans,
who had been mentioned in the mat
ter, except in a sidewalk conversation
when inquiries were made as to the
prospects of a sale OF the Danish ISL
ands. w.
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr.. Gardner
knew of the International Press asso-
citation.
Mr.. Gardner said he did; he had
been a stakeholder in the concern,
which at one time represented several
New Jersey newspapers.
Colonel W. G. Brown testified that
he met Christmas once at the Manhat-
tan hotel in New York. He had no
conversation with him at that one
meeting except the usual interchange
of courtesies. He had no business re.
lations with him; none was spoken OF
at that meeting, which was the only
one.
To Mr.. Richardson's questions, Colo
mel Brown said he had no contract
with Christmas or Hansen or anyone
in connection with the Danish matter.
Mr.. Hansen, the next witness, gave
his business as attorney at New York.
He detailed his early acquaintance
with Captain Christmas, who told him
in 1899 of the movement to sell the
Danish islands to the United States
and of Denmark's willingness to pay
literally in case of a sale.