The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-01
CONGRESSMAN
IS IN TROUBLE
Discovery Is Made That he Was In
terested in Government War
Contracts.
The Federal Statutes Prohibit This
and an Investigation Probably
Will Be Made.
The Member Implicated Is Represen'
tative Lucius M. Littauer Of
New York City.

New York Sun Special Service.
New York. July congressman Lucius
M. Littauer, whose home Is in this city,
Is In serious trouble with the federal gov
eminent. He is said to have been inter-
ested In government contracts, while a
member of congress, and an investigation
probably will be made. as this is forbidden
by the federal statutes. The facts came
to light In the course of hearing in the
Lyons bankruptcy proceedings, held be-
fore United States Referee Stanley Dex-
ter.
The hearing was the result Of a petition
made In April 1902, by Edmond r. Lyons.
then Of 25S Fifth avenue, to be permitted
to go thru bankruptcy proceedings.
Lyons petition showed liabilities OF $780,
900 and no assets Two Of Lyons credit
ors. Littauer Brothers and Revillon &
Tresse, objected to his discharge. Con-
gresham Littauer is the head Of Littauer
Brothers. These two firms put in the OBJ
lection that the bankrupt with fraudulent
intent had concealed or failed to. keep
books of account and records, from which
his true financial condition might be as
certained. When Lyon was on the stand
interesting facts were brought out regard
ing the quarternaster's department and
Littauer Brothers. Lyons said his con-
tracts with the government were for
buckskin gauntlets, muskrat gloves,
muskrat caps, cotton duck pajamas, fan
the time Of the Spanish American war.
1ittauer Brothers, he said. were in with
him on the muskrat gauntlets and the
muskrat caps. Each furnished part Of
| the material
Lyons testified that some OF the con-
tracts in which he and Littauer Broth
ers were interested were to bring him a
division Of profits and some Of the gloves
were on a stated price per pair.
Used House Stationery.
| A number of contracts and documents
were then submitted which bore out
Lyons assertions. Among them are many
handwriting written on house of repre-
sentative paper, one of which says:
| profit ought to be 10 per cent over
1.571a,' speaking of muskrat gloves.
Some time In 1900 Representative Lit
tauer and Lyons had a fracas OF some
sort. Littauer insisted that Lyons owed
him little over $4,000, and Lyons con.
tended that he had the greatest share
of the profits on the n1uskrat glove con.
tract AS result Of this trouble, Repre-.
sentative Littauer threatened to su,
Lyons, but they came together and made
Fla settlement
/ Lyons declared that thru him the firm
Of Littauer Brothers secured government
contracts while Lucius M. Littauer wa
a representative in congress. Lyons ha!
1 further declared that these contract
amount to nearly $4,000, and that tn,
I tprofits; to- the firm of Lttauer Brother
4 wass IN the nefghborhood sok $50, oOo
Y sssAThs@reyised statutes 4 Of the Unite,
& Statesafonbld ssany member Of congress t
q directly or Indirectly undertake, execute
hold or enjoy, In whole or In part, an.
contract or agreement made or entere
into in behalf Of the United States.