The evening times., 1902-06-12
Its Ultimate Effect on Cuban
Tariff Legislation,
SOURCE OF THOSE VOUCHERS
Another LEAK" Suspected and a Thor
ough Investigation Likely-0biect of
the Presidents Hurried Return to
ashington-Position Of Mr.. Root.

ban Committee yesterday 10 the effect
that President Havemeyer, of the Sugar
Trust, contributed 81 500 to a propa-
ganda for reciprocity between the
United States and Cuba, and that Gen
sral Wood spent thousands OF dollars Of
the Cuban funds for the same purpose
and through the same channels. was the
most widely discussed topic at the Ma
tional Capitol today.
That the development OF these facts
has disconnected the Administration is
said to be shown by the fact that Presi-
dent Roosevelt has abandoned his an
nounced intention of going from West
Point to oyster Bay on a two days
visit to his family. Instead, he hastens
back to Washington and will arrive here
tonight. 1t is expected that an Official
statement On the subject viii be is
sued by him
When recently the fact was published
that General Wood had been paying a
pension to Gen. Maxine Gomez from
the Cuban treasury the reply was made
by Secretary Root to those questioning
the authority for this expenditure that
he and the President were responsible
for every item of expenditure made by
General Wood. II, therefore, there is
anything wrong IN General Woods ap-
propriation of nearly $4,000 to promote
the cause of reciprocity with Cuba, Sec
retary Roots words would make himself
and President Roosevelt responsible.
Attitude Of the Democrats.
Although the Democrats in Congress
would like to have an investigation into
all of General Woods expenditures
while governor of Cuba, bringing him
as a witness. it is unlikely that a mo-
tion 70 that effect from Democratic
sources would be accepted by the Re-
publican majority. Whether any Of the
beet sugar Republicans will have cour-
age enough to propose such an investi-
cation has not yet developed.
The question which pleases the beet
sugar men and the Democrats most in
the disclosures of yesterday, next to the
fact that for the first time they proved
q direct connection between the Sugar
Trust and the Cuban reciprocal move
ment, Is that it was shown that Gen
eraI Wood used F. B. Thurber as the
agency through which to conduct his
propaganda and TO whom he paid the
money
When Mr. Thurber was testifying last
January before the House Ways and
Means Committee he was asked whether
he was not employed by the Sugar
Trust, and whether he was not actually
receiving salary from President Have
meyer, he entered an emphatic denial
to both of these questions.
Issue of Veracity Raised.
Recently one Of the beet sugar wit
nessses before the Senate Cuban Com
m:ttee was asked by Senator Teller
what he knew Of Mr Thurber's relations
with the Sugar Trust In equally posi-
tive terms he declared that Mr. Thur
Der was in the pay of the Sugar Trust
and related various incidents which. he
claimed, supported him in that belief.
This raised direct issue Of veracIty
between the witness and Mr. Thurber.
snd it vas fully expected by those who
have been following the Senate Cuban
hearings that when Mr. Thurber was
placed upon the stand ne would have
been questioned further about the mat
ter Mr.. Teller was however. satisfied
with what he did obtain from Mr. Thur
Der and did not press him as to whether
he had ever been in the employ of the
sugar trust For the purpose Of the
Democrats. however, the question that
has been raised on the subject is suffi-
eient, and they VIII make the most OF it.
May Recall Havemeyer.
Because Mr.. Eavemeyer. when he was
on the stand. absolutely denied that the
sugar trust was specially interested il
the proposed Cuban reciprocity Iegisla-
tion. or that he had spent any monev
in the distribatfsa OF literature OF the
subject. it is cutie likely that he will
be recalled 10 explain his statements.
especially in view Cf Mr Thurber's tes-
timony that Sir. Hayemeyer contributed
g, 800 TO help meet TIE expense Of print
ing and circulating his reciprocity pam
phlets and dodgerg.
The Outcome Uncertain.
The ultimate effect OF yesterdays dis
closures is uncertain. The beet-sugar
Senators and Representatives have IN
doubtediy been strengthened in their be-
lief OF the justice Of their position. and
Senator EIkins, who has recently been
claiming only fifteen supporters in the
serGte, now says that the original twen-
u who attended his luncheon a couple
of weeks ago have rallied again to his
standard and that he expects additional
recruits It is also the belief Of the
beet sugar men that the disclosures will
cause the reciprocity Senators 10 weak
en- in their determination TO press the
reciprocity bill TO vote this session
Senators Aldrich and Platt Of Connec-
ticut insist, however, that they have not
changed in their determination 10 force
the bill through They say the necessity
Of doing something for the relief of
Cuba stiH exists. despite Mr. Have
meyers display Of zeal They still
maintain their confidence that the bill
viii be passed.
Where the Document Came From.
An interesting feature Of the present
situation is the speculation as to where
Senator Teller obtained his copy Of the
voucher for General Woods payment Of
s2,Ss9 to Mr. Thurber and the latter's
receipt. II must have come from the
War Department archives either in
Washington or in Havana The rroduc-