The Washington times., 1902-01-07

at an underyaluation. and that they did
this by the use of corruption fund, dis
tributed among Federal employees.
The Treasury Department made a thor
ough investigation through special agents,
and Mr.. Wakeman was supposed to CO.
operate with these for the purpose of
proving the general charges he had made.
The effort did not result in sustaining
the charges, and the department conclud-
ed that they were groundless, aud so in
formed Rosenthal & Co. The friends of
former Appraiser Wakeman, however.
continue to assert that Mr.. Wakeman's
charges had large basis of facts, and
that his dismissal was brought about
partly because he was engaged in a strict
enforcement of the custom laws.
Merchants' Association Acts.
The Merchants Association has recent
ly declared that there ought to be
further investigation of the matter and
the firm of Rosenthal & Co. have COM
planned that stigma has been placed
on the reputation of their house by the
alleged unfounded charges of Mr.. Wake
man.
In order that the controversy may be
set at rest, President Roosevelt asked
Secretary Gage and Attorney General
Knox to confer with him yesterday. He
proposed that Secretary Gage consent tc
have a special attorney of the Depart
ment of Justice conduct an investigation,
since the friends OF Mr.. Wakeman de-
ciared that the special agents did not
make an honest rapport Of the alleged
corrupt practices of Rosenthal G. Co.
Secretary Gage agreed to this, and
specia! attorney will be detailed to go
TO New York and take testimony.
An Autograph Picture of Dinz.
A large photograph of the ruler of
Mexico with the legend. ITO the Presf-
dent. Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, with SEN
timents of warmest regard, Porfro Diaz.
penned in Spanish on the card, was yes
terday received by President Roosevelt
It was a gift from President Diaz him
self in acknowledgment of one sent to
him by President Roosevelt soon after
Mexico City. =
Mr.. John Barrett, ex-Minister to Siam.
and one of the United States delegates to
the Pan-American Congress, from which
he has just returned. conveyed the
photograph to President Roosevelt, VINO
was highly pleased at receiving 1t. Mr.
Barrett took occasion TO tell President
Roosevelt considerable about the results
reached by the Congress.
..There is one especially pleasing fea-
ture about the Congress- said Mr..
Barrett after he had seen the President
aTbat is that the United States has oc-
cupied a position that has prevented the
least friction. There is no doubt that this
country is more highly regarded than ever
before BY South American countries.
..The attitude of President Diaz toward
this country is most friendly, and | took
occasion to assure President Roosevelt
of this. There is no question that Diaz
has done and is still doing all he can to
strengthen the existing cordial relations.
A Death Sentence COMMITTED.
President Roosevelt has exercised ex-
ecutiye clemency in the case Of Leonard
Wilmore, member Of the Twenty fifth
infantry, colored regiment. Wilmore
was convicted of desertion and with en-
tering the service of the Filipino insurs-
ents and was sentenced to be hanged.
The President confirmed this sentence,
but in accordance with the recommenda-
tions for clemency. made by General
Miles and Secretary Root, he has COM
muted it to Imprisonment for life.
Invited to a Yale Alumni Banquet.
President Roosevelt has been invited to
attend the annual banquet of the Yale
Alumni Association of Boston and yicin-
ity 1t will be held in Boston some
time in February. The invitation was ex
tended by Sherman l.. Whipple, of the
alumni organization of Boston. He call
ed on the President in company with Sec
retary Long and Representative Moody
of Massachusetts.