The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-05
FAC-SIMILE OF LlTTAUER's LETTER TO LYON.

large contracts with the Assistant Quarter
masters Department of the United States
Army, and the United States Marine Corps
from 1897 to 1900. He said that Littauer
Bros. were "in with him on the buckskin
yauntlets. the muskrat gauntlets. and the
muskrat caps, they furnishing a portion Of
the material. He had incurred liabilities IL
connection with these persons. he said.
Letters were introduced in evidence which
Congressman Littauer had written to Mr.
Lyon, giving statements of the cost Of GER
tain qualities Of materials for gauntlets and
caps, and of the condition of the accounts OF
the firm of Littauer Bros with Mr. Lyon.
In one of these letters, written from Wash
ington, Mr. Littauer said: Il have done
everything / possibly can to fix our ar
rangements SO that We can meet the re-
quirements OF the Government
References in other letters indicated that
Congressman Littauer had been In commun-
ication with Quartermaster General Mar
shall 1. Ludington with relation TO the co.,
tracts.
Mr.. Lyon declared that the contracts with
the Government for gloves and caps. Sc
cured through him by Littauer Bros. while
Mr.. Littauer was In Congress. amounted to
nearly 10000. and that the profits of the
firm were nearly $4,000.
The statutes make it an ofrense for an Of
fcer as representative OF the United
States to enter. directly or indirectly, into
contract. bargain or agreement with any
member of or delegate to Congress, punish
able by fine of 5000.
1t also provides that NO member of Con-
gress shall. directly or indirectly, himself or
by any other person, in trust for him. or
for his use or benefit. or on his account, I'M
dertahe. execute, hold or enjoy, in whole or
in part, any contract or agreement made or
entered into. in behalf of the United
States" The penalty in this case also IL
5000 fine.
CLOSE FRIEND OF ROOSEVELT.
The close friendship between Congress-
man Littauer and President Roosevelt adds
to the interest in the matter. Mr.. Lttauer
represents the Twenty-fifth New York Dis
trict, composed of Hamilton, Fulton. Mont
gomery. Warren and Saratoga counties. He
was elected to Congress from the old Twen-
ty-second District in 1896, 1898 and 1900.
By the apportionment of 1880 Representa-
tives Littauer, Stewart and Emerson were
thrown into the same district. and bitter
Republican fight resulted.
John A. Cole, the Plat leader in Hamilton
County. led the fight against Littauer, and
=
Roosevelt was asked to take hand in the
contest. He interviewed in favor OF Lttauer,
and through Federal influence the Fulton
County man was enabled to win. Stewards
and Emerson's adherents felt very bitter
toward the President for his action.
Mr.. Littauer's reelection to Congress was
credited with being pleasing to the Presi-
dent. and he at once took the closest posi-
ton to the executive of all the members
of the lower house. standing much as
Charles H Grosvenor did to President Nc
Kinley. He has been the especial favorite
at the White House of all the New York
Representatives. President Roosevelt and he
became fast friends in their college days at
Harvard.
At the Harvard Club dinner, on February
20. 1900, President Roosevelt Endorsed Mr.
Littauer in these words:
Il want to tell you that IT is a Harvard
man who is my most intimate PERSONAL
friend. and who is also my closest political
adviser-and that man is Lucius Nathan
Littauer.
LITTAUER DENIES CHARGE.
Congressman Littauer denies alphabetically
that his firm was interested in the army
contracts. and says it simply manufactured
the gauntlets for Lyon.
Here is Mr.. Littauers statement:
AT least twenty years ago INV father