The sun., 1903-11-11
LITTAUER SEES ROOSEVELT.
MAY TAKE HIS GLOVE CASE INTO
THE HOUSE.
Attorney.General Says 1t Would be Cn.
precedented to Grant Hearing ana
an Inquiry Would BE EXTRAORDINARY
The Case Is Closed Tighter Than Ever

The Case Is Closed Tighter Than Ever.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10-The reopenlng
of the Littauer case, involving Representa-
tive Littauer's connection with the army
glove contracts, consisted in the exchange
of two letters between Attorney-General
Knox and John G. Miburn. counsel for Mr.
Iittauer, and the case is now closed tghter
th6n ever.
Representative Littauer is angry because
the Administration will not go furtner INTO
the matter. along lines laid down by hlinsen
and his lawyers.
Copies Of the letters exchanged by the
Acknowledgement and Mr.. Milburn were
.iron mt MT the Department Of Justice to-
day.
Mr.. Milburn's letter. which Is long one.
4. dated Oct 81, subsequent to the rendering
Of the Attorney Generals legal opinion to
the War Department. which was supposed
to wind up the case. In this letter MIR. Mil
burn expresses regret that he failed to re-
ceiye the letter written by the Attorney
General on Oct. I, in which Mr.. Knox reluo-
tantly consented to hear Mr.. Milburn in
Mr.. Littauers behalf.
The Attorney Generals reluctance was
due to the fact that he had insisted that the
question before him was one OF law and
not OF facts. and that 1t was not the Gus
tom of the Attorney Generals ofice TO
answer questions Of law except as pro-
pounded by heads of executive depart
ments. - ..,.
In his latest letter Mr.. Milburn asked that
an opportunity be given him to be heard,
but this request is refused by the Attorney
General Mr. Miburn revIewedb e,, i his eetan Ia.,er
Attorney General Knox. in his reply
says among other things
nv statute it is made the duty OF the Attor-
ney General to answer questions 81 law ~ Then en-
to sm SX sns ha
General since the formation Of the Goxern
from other officers or persons and 70 aecilne
to, volunteer opinions upon oues''ons not
suH'i In his letter to this Department relative
to the glove contracts, the Secretary OF War
submitted the single question he whether IN
prima facie that a member OF Congress was
Interested In such contract. money PAID by
the Government in consideration therefor
could be recovered back;
that no no part of the consideration in question
could be recovered the contract having been
and the S Rsae aS
FOR it's money This was all the Secretary OF
Var IL "a asked me to decide. ~, ,,.o,ou .,.
The question whether Mr.. Littauer was
tion was not submitted for decision, and
did not pass upon it directly or indirectly.
Nor was necessary FOR me 70 oss Determine r Inc
opinion, the money paid by the Government
could not have been recovered back IN
disnosing Of this question the statute OF
limitations had no bearing whichever.
The Attorney-General says he must
decline to grant hearing since n to rhicS 90 50
No matter what might be the conclusion
upon the facts, l would have no official
duty to perform-a vain. extraordinary
proceeding without reason or precedent
to support it, ,,,
he 70 accord a privilege to Mr.. Littauer
which has been and will be oenied to others.
Mr.. Littauer visited the WhTe house
today and had talk with the President.
When he came out he said:
Il am in the position, of having been
hung in a tree. and rather than remain
hanging there l would prefer to be shot
| down now
4What can you olo?- he was asked.
Il don't know" he replied, "but my
forum may be in Congress"