The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-08-06
LITTAUER SURPRISED
Congressman Gives His Version Of
Glove Contract.
STATUTES WERE NOT VIOLATED

Says Secretary Roots Decision Re-
moves Any Suggestion Of oishon-
esty and Dishonorabe Action o.
His Part.
New York, Aug. 5.-Congressman
Littauer has made the following state
ment:
IL am of course surprised and disap-
pointed at the decision OF the secre-
tary of war that there may exist even
a prima facie case OF violation OF stat
ute. The decision only creates an in
auiry as to whether a technical viola
ton OF law has been committed, and
removes from the case entirely any
suggestion Of dishonesty or dishonor-
able action on my part. and Of any
improper use of my influence as a con-
gresham in regard to any glove con
tracts.
Il can ask no more sweeping and
complete vindication Of my honor and
business integrity than the final find
ings of the secretary
AS to the matter which has been
referred to the attorney general. am
al loss to understand how any Ques-
ton. even of a most refined technical
nature. can exist as to the perfect pro-
priety and legality Of the contract OF
December :. 1898. The uncontradicted
evidence concerning this contract de-
velops these facts: Mr.. Lyon was a gem
eral contractor 10 the war dcpartm nj,
furnishing not only gloves, but cap.
cottons. ducks, and various other ar
ucles. There was awarded 10 him a
contract for 5000 muskrat fur gaunt-
lets. which he purchased from us al a
price of $l54 per pair. This price we
ascertained during the process or man
ufacture, was too low, as | informed
him.
Subsequently Mr. Lyon bid, and his
bid was accepted. for 10000 similar
gloves. with a privilege to the govern
ment OF requiring so per cent. more,
which the government took advantage
of. Informed him that | would not
furnish them at the price that the 5000
pairs had been furnished. we having
sustained a loss In the transaction.
During our conversation | took a sheet
of paper and In my handwriting calcu-
lated the price of the goods. which.
with a Is per cent. profit to my firm
would have amounted to SIS per poir.
which was the price at which ! had
previously offered to make the gannt-
lets. During the discussion | reduced
this anticipated profit to 10 per cent
making the price sl.73.
Mr. Lyon insisted that ! had over
estimated the number OF skins that
would enter into the production OF a
dozen gloves, and subjoined to my
memorandum in his handwriting his
estimate Of the cost which he hXed
after correction of his previous figures
AT sl.46h. would not acQuiesce in
his estimate Of the cost, and he would
not acquiesce in mine. He importuned
me. however, not 10 leave him in the
lurqh. as he had already contracted
to furnish the goods to the government
at SlG5. Ot turned out that in fact he
had contracted for them al N.fO. al
though | did not know it, He finally
bought the goods at sl.65, but con
coded that if it should be demonstrated
after the actual manufacture OF the
goods that they had cost me less than
S165. his account would be credited
with one-half of the difference between
the actual cost per pair and sl.65. at
which we had sold the goods to him.
This difference was ascertained to De
1888. O5. and he was credited with this
rebate. which amounted to $l763.52.