New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-02
HOUSE. BEGINS INQUIRY.
NIELS GRON SAYS He KNOWS OF NO
ATTEMPT TO BRIDE CONGRESSMEN.

Washington April 1.-The investigation OF the
charges Of bribery IN connection with the sale OF
the Danish West Indies was begun to-day by the
sracfal COM aittee OF the House. Nies Gron. who
bror+ the charges 10 the attention Of Representa-
tive Richardson. was the first witness He
ssid that in February last persons in Copenhagen
who opposed the transfer az the islands 10 the
United States brought the Christmas report to
his attention
Chairman DalzeU asked who these persons Were,
The witness said they we're members of the Danish
upper house. bur he did not think II proper to
give their 81. Gron said he was at
present their representative I'm this country.
aIr- Gron gave way temporarily 10 Representa-
tive Alexander. OF Buffalo. who denied any knowl-
edge of Christmas or the Danish transaction He
said he had never seen Christmas. had never
spoken 10 any in out Of Congress to
the Danish treaty, and never heard 1t discussed
until after the presentation OF the matter
70 the House
Continuing his statement. Mr. Gron explained
how the persons opposing the sale OF the islands
had persuaded him TO come to Washington and
rlsce the Christmas report before Congress and
the public lie told Of having secured note OF
Introduction General Grosvenor. Of Ohio; of
ARRANGING TO meet the latter in Washington his
purpose being he said. carry out assurances
given AT Copenhagen that he would place the mat
Ter before influential and thus bring It to the
attention Of Congress and the public. Mr.. Gron
told in great detail Of submitting papers to Gen
ara, Grosveror who at first seemed indignant,
before the proper persons. in order that suitable
action might be taken. The witness said that later
General Grospenor said il would be proper
20 lay the matter before the Secretary OF State.
This was dona and Mr.. Gron said he learned
that the State Department held that it could take
action and that the authorities here had in no
way committed themselves 10 Christmas
After General Grosvenor had decided not TO pro
coed with the matter. he (Gron) had prepared a
statement for The Associated Press. and had
asked Mr. Crane. z newspaper man, TO send some
one from The Associated Press him for tine
sIrances as Gre.'s standing He learned later
through Mr.. Crane that General GrosVenor said
he knew nothing about it. He said he was in
formed the day after he submitted the statement
that The Associated Press could not it After
newspapers and or Jess Of it printed.
He then told how he had placed the matter before
Representatives Richardson and Underwood. who
had gone over the papers
what was your purpose in bringing ii before
rneubersg- asked Mr. Dalzell.
TO get II into the House end before .he Ameri-
can people answered the witness.
C7ron referred to the reports that he had been
ring to obtain commission for the sale OF the
lands and that the whole matter quarrel
atveer Christmas and himself over the commits
ION This he denied. He mentioned the names of
II II Rogers Charles r. Flint and himself the
Americans interested that time in negotiating
esle islands Asked regarding state
Ynert in the Christmas report to the effect that
Rogers had agreed to accomplish The sals OF the
Islands for per cent of the purchase money. Cron
Declared that there WIS no such agreement He