The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-05
STATEMENT FROM LITT4t ER.
Deems Himself Included In the Nindication
Of the Ruartermaster's Dcpartment.

This statement was given out Yesterday
on behalf Of Congressman Littauer:
am, OF course surpr ised and disappointed
al the decision of the Secretary of War that
there may exist even prlma face case OF
violation OF statute The decision, only, Gre
ates an inquiry as 10 whether technical vio-
lation OF law has been committed, and re-
moves from the case entirely any suggestion
Of dishonesty or dishonorable action on my
part. and of any improper use of my influence
as a Congressman in regard TO any glove
contracts. can ask no more sweeping and
complete vindication OF my, honor and bust
ness integrity than the findings OF the Secre-
Il find no evidence that the facts known
10 the officers OF the Quarterlnqster's De-
partment indicated any other relations be-
tween tho Arm of Iittaner Bros. and the fur
nishing OF gloves TO the Government than the
lawful relation descr lbed at the beginning Of
iacturer furnishing goods TO iobber who is
filling Government contractsI. The contracts
were all made in compliance with the re-
quirements Of law. upon public advertisement
on awards to the lowest responsible bidder
and each contained a declaration by the con-
tractor that no Member of Congress WAS inter-
ested the prices l0pear to have been reas slIi
value for It's money: the inspection appears
to have been rigid, and the requirements Of
the specifications appear 10 have been en-.
forced. No influence and no motives except
desire to attain the best interests of the
Government appear to have operated upon
the officers Of the army in the transaction"
As to the matter which has been referred
to the Attorney-General. ! am at q loss TO
understand how any question, even OF
most refined technical nature, can exist az
contract OF Dec. 7, 1893 The uncontrndicted
evidence concerning this contract develops
these facts. Mr. Lyon was a general CON
not only gloves, but caps. ,cottons. ducks.
and various other articles. There was award
ed to him contract for 5000 muskrat fur
Late Job hA nAI ttn Mt
ascertained during the process of manufac-
ture was too low. as ! informed him; Sub
accepted for 10000 similar gloves with
privilege TO the Government Of requirin ing
50 per cent; more; which the Government
Of the. bid he, called upon me to furnish them
with the goods. informed him that ! would
not furnish them az the price that the 1000
tanned loss In the transaction. as had pre-
viously informed him. During our CONVEX
sation l took sheet Of paper and in my hand
which. with IS per cent profit to my nrm.
was the price az which ! had previously Of
cusslon | reduced this anticipated profit
10 10 per cent. making the price sl.73
Mr.. Lyon. WHO was a iurrier; familiar
facture Of the fur part Of the gloves insisted
that ] had overcstmated the number Of
skins that would enter into the production
OF dozen gloves. and subjOined to my MEM
Orandum In his handwriting his estimate Of
the cost, which he fSed. after correction OF
his previous figures. at 81 ,f8%. | would not
acquiesce in his estimate OF the cost. and
he would not acquiesce in mine. Hc impor-
tuned me. however. not to leave him in the
the goods to the. Government at tl85 lit
turned out in fact he had contracted for them
at $40 although did not know w. and no
finally bought the goods at S.85. but / con-
coded that, II it should be demonstrated after
the actual manufacture OF the goods that
they had cost me less than 81 IS. his account
would be credited with onr-half o. the diff
ference between the actual cost per pair
and s.sI, Mt which we had sold the goods to
him. This difference was ascertained to he
O., s37 .O5. and he was credited with this re-
bate, which amounted TO 81 1882 Our
books give evidence in detail OF this TRANSACT
ton Mr.. Lyon was charged for the gloves
at 81. az per pair, and his account wns subse-
quenty credited with the rebate referred TO
If az the Secretary says. there is no doubt
which ha opens TO be q Member Of Congress.
10 jobbers who are filing Government con
tracts and that they do not come within
the prohibition of the statute 40 long AZ tho
contract between the Arm and the jobber
il a separate and distinct transa otion from
rho contract between the jobbsr and the
the community viii fail to see. how even
technical or legal violation Of any statute
or Of any code of moral or commercial
propriety, or any invidious criticism or cen
sure, can he founded upon this transaction.