The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-05
DECISION
SURPRISED
LITTAUER
Says There Was Nothing In tho
Glove Contract That Called
for Criticism or Censure.

New York. Aug. 5,-Congressman Lit
tauer has made a statement in which
he says he is SURPRISED and disappointed
at the decision OF the secretary os war
that there may exist even a prima facie
case OF violation OF statute in connection
with the glove contract investigation.
He says in part
II can ask no more sweeping and COM
plete v1ndication OF my honor and bust
ness integrity than the findings OF the
secretary.
"As to the matter which has been re-
ferred 10 the attorney general. l am at
a loss TO understand how any question,
even OF most refined technical nature,
can exist IA TO the perfect propr1ety and
legality OF the contract OF Dec !. 1895
The uncontradicted evidence concernine
this contract develops these facts
"hr Lyon was n general contractor
10 the war department furnishing not
only gloves, but caps. ducks and various
other articles There was awarded to
him contract for 5000 muskrat fur
gauntets. which he purchased from us
at a price OF Sl.54 per pair This price
we ascertained during the process OF
manufacture was too low, as I informed
him. Subsequently Mr.. Lyon bid and his
bid was accepted for 10000 similar gloves
with a privilege TO the government 6f
requiring 20 per cent. more. which the
government took advantage Of After
the acceptance OF the bid he called upon
me to furnish him with the goods.
REDUCED TO 10 PER CENT.
II informed him that l would not fur
nish them at the price that the 1000 pairs
had been furnished. we having sustained
loss in the transaction, as l had pre-
viously informed him. During our con-
ersation I took a sheet Of paper and IN
my handwriting calculated the price OF
the goods which. with Is per cent
profit to my firm. would have amounted
TO sl.s1 per pair.
Turing the discussion I reduced this
ar ttcipatcd proft to 10 per cent. max
ing the price s1.73. Mr.. Lyon. who was
.urrier insisted that l had overesti-
rated the number Of skins that would
enter into the production OF a dozen
gloves and subjolned I'm my memoran-
dun in his handwriting his estimate of
the cost. which he fixed after correc-
tion Of his previous figures at sl.4sh
| would not acquiesce I'm his estimate OF
the cost. ftuI he would not acauiesce
in mine He importuned me- however
not to leave him in the lurch hs ne
had already contacted to furnish the
goods to the govern ment at si65 Ot
turned out that in fact he had contract
ed for them at 81 70. although | did not
know iD. and he finally bought the goods
at tl.e5. but conceded that II II should
be demonstrated after the actual manu-
facture Of the goods that they had cost
me less than 81 SIS. his account would be
credited with one-half Of the difference
between the actual cost per pair and
81 s5. at which we had sold the goods to
him This difference was ascertained
10 he S35370 05, which amounted 10 sl7s3 O2.
our books give evidence in detail of this
transaction Mr.. Lyon was charged for
tho gloves az s165 per pair. and his nc ',
count was subsequently credited with the
rebate
II fail 20 see. and am sure the com
n'unity will fail 20 see. how even n
technical or legal violation Of any statute
or ot any code Of moral or commercial
or any invidlous criticism or
csrsure can be found upon this transac-
ton
WAS NO PRECEDENT.
In asking the department OF Justice
10 take up the case OF the Littauer glove
the secretary OF war has
opened up the possibility of very inter
esting litigation. No such case has ever
come before the courts. The statute un-
der which the secretary Of war suggests
that Congressman Littauer is guilty of
a violation of the law was enacted IN
Jefferson's time and has not been changed
since. except by the elimination OF some
Of the more drastic language at the time
OF reconciliation.
During the life Of the statute its prop