The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-25
[ITTAUER CASE BEFORE KNOX.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL NOW
HAS ALL THE PAPERS.
They Include an Opinion Prepared At the
Department OF Justice In Regard to
Littauer's Connection with Glove
Contracts Awarded to Edmund Lyon.

Department OF Justice in Regard to
ILttauer's Connection with Glove
Contracts Awarded 70 Edmund Lyon.
WASHINGTON, Sept, A.-Attorney-G Gen
.ral Knox now has under consideration
an oninian prepared at the Department
of Justice In regard to the alleged con-
uection OF Representative Littauer with
the contracts Of the Quartermaster's De-
partment Of the army for gloves and
ss.ntlets awarded to Edmund Lyon sew
sral rsars ago.
Trrs papers in this case we're sent to the
Department Of Justice by Secretary Root
several months ago, but no immediate
action was taken. as the War Department
officers were endeavoring to secure the
testimony Of two additional witnesses
who had not been examined by Col. Gar
ington who was detailed to investigate
the charges that Mr.. Littauer was inter-
ested in the contracts. More than month
ago the testimony OF these witnesses was
referred to the Department OF Justice,
which Immediately began a review Of the
papers based upon Secretary Root 8
opinion that a prima facie case has been
established. In Secretary Roots mem
orandum to the Accomplishment he said:
Il think the indications OF an interest
bv the manufacturing firm in the jobber 3
contract with the Government are sufti-
cient to require me to proceed upon the
theory that there is a prima facie case OF
violation OF the statute. There appears
To be no evidence that in the manufa cture
Of gloves by Messrs. Littauer Bros, to be
used in filling Government contracts made
by Lyon and others. there was any VIOLA
ton of the statute except in one case, the
contract of Dec. Z. 1s9s.
Secretary Root determined that It was
his duty to put the Department OF Justice
in possession of all the facts, in order
that II that Department finds the law to
have been violated 1t may take appro--
pirate measures for it's enforcement.
Ee explained at the time that it was for
the Acknowledgement to determine what
steps if any should be taken against the
contractors and Representative Littauer.
Mr.. Root also asked the Attorney General
for an opinion as to the duty OF the War
Department under the statute requiring
demand to be made upon the contractors
for the repayment to the Government OF all
the money paid on contracts where 1t was
shown that a member OF Congress was
interested.
The opinion prepared in the Depart
ment of Justice was sent TO Attorney
General Knox some days ago. IL Is be-
lieyed that before sending it to the War
Department he will confer with President
Roosevelt Even then the Department OF
Justice would be charged with the prepara-
ton Of papers intended to bring the matter
before a judicial tribunal. and Attorney
General Knox is also called upon to give
an opinion as to whether the statute OF
limitations prevents the prosecution Of
any of the persons interested in the Lyon
contracts.
Secretary Root decided early in the in
yestipation that the War Department was
not concerned in the feature Of the Littauer
case involving trial for the offence alleged
Under the law he considered that the duty
of the War Department would end with
bringing the facts to the attention OF the
Department of Justice for such action
and In the event Of an opinion that the law
has been violated the War Department
would make demand upon the contractors
and manufacturers for repayment OF the
money paid by the Government for the
gloves and gauntlets made under the un
lawfully executed contract.