The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-04
Adjutant General Grant Recommends hat
Littauer Be Called on to Refund
Money on Glove Contract.

cial weakness on the part OF the pranci-
pal IN the performance OF the agreement
The testimony elected during the course
OF the investigation showing the prices
paid, the profits realized and the numer-
Gus rejsctions Of goods which fell short
OF he standards established by the de-
partment shows that this duty was thor
oughly and conscientiously performed.
Gen. Davis recommends that the tes-
timOny OF two witnesses who could not
be found by Inspector Darlington IS
rather important and that the invest ga
ton be continued with view OF getting
their testim~ny. When taken, he says,
IL can be referred TO the DEP rtment OF
justice with the other papers in the case.
Secretary Root In the course OF his
Endorsement on the opinion OF the Judge
advocate general which sends the case
TO the department of Justice, says:
ROOTS ENDORSEMENT.
II suppose there is no doubt that
manufacturing firm, one member Of
which happens TO be a member OF con-
gress. has a right TO manufacture and
sell goods TO jobbers who are filing gov
ernment contracts and that they do not
come within the prohibition OF the sta
tute so long as the contract between
the firm and the jobber OF a separate
and distinct transaction from the con-
ment. There appears TO be no more evil
dence that in the manufacture OF gloves
by Messrs. Littauer Brothers TO be used
In filing government contracts made by
Lyon and others, there was any viola
tion of the statute except in one case
the contract OF Dec. Z. 1898. IL was not
the duty or the right OF the secretary OF
war To adjudicate that case or 20 deter
mine whether the statute was or was
not violated. except in so far as IL may
he necessary for him 20 decide what ac-
tion, II any, should he taken by the war
department in view OF the facts dis
closed. think the Indications OF an in
terest by the manufacturing firm I'm the
jobber's contract with the government
are sufficient 10 require me 20 proceed
upon the theory that there Is prima
facie case OF violation OF the statute
Three duties are thereupon devolved
upon the war department. First. to put
the department OF Justice In possession
OF the facts. I'm order that II that de-
partment finds the law 20 have been vio-
lated II may take appropriate measures
for its enforcement
FULL VALUE FOR MONEY.
"This will be done Second. To direct the
proper officer Of the department 20 de-
mand repayment OF any sum OF money
which has been advanced on the part OF
the United states I'm consideration Of
such contract Third. 10 determine
whether any officer OF the army who was
concerned In the making OF the contract
was culpable within the true intent OF the
law. Upon this / find no evidence that
the facts known 10 the officers oi the
quartermaster's department indicated any
other relation between the firm Of Lit
tauer brothers and the furnishing OF
gloves 90 the government than the law
ful relation described at the beginning
or this memorandum. The contracts were
all made I'm compliance with the require
ments ~ law, upon public advertisements
on awards 90 the lowest responsible bid
der, and each contained n declaration by
the contractor that no member of CON
gress was interested. the prices appear 10
have been reasonable the government
appears 10 have got fun value for It's
money, the inspection appears 20 have
been rigid and the requirements Of the
specifications appear 60 have been en-
forced. No Influences and no motives
except desire 20 attain the best in
terests of the government appear 10 have
operated upon the officers ~ the army in |
the transactions.
"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary Of War"