The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-09
0DELL FINDS A CANDIDATE.
HE'S READY TO BOOM III. W. TAFT
FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP
n He'll Run-Doesn't Know Much About
Him, the Goyernor-Cbairman Confesses
Well, He KNOWS About Odell. Anyway
Testimony In Ellis Island Scandal.


We'll, He Knows About Odell. Anyway
Testimony In Ellis Island Scandal.
Goyemor-C Chairman Odell, 1t was made
known yesterday, has bounced upon Henry
w. Taft of New York city as his candidate
for Governor. The Observation-Disclosures
according to this latest information. be-
came interested In Mr. Taft through the
good offices of Regent Edward Lauter-
bach, who knew that the Governor-Chair-
man, as it was said, "has been look
ing around for giant Republican from
New York city whom he could induce
to accept the nomination" Mr. Taft Is a
brother Of the Secretary OF War. He b
highly spoken Of, both as Republican
and as a lawyer.
Governor Chairman Odell and his satel-
lites 1t was declared last night, would not
have let Mr.. Taft's name out Of the bag
unless they were convinced that Mr.. Taft
was willing to be considered by them as
candidate for the nomination.
On the other hand, Mr.. Taft's friends
said that he knew little or nothing about
the matter. and that Mr.. Taft, like Frank
Wayland Higgins. would never consent to
the use Of his name as candidate for
Governor by single faction Of the Republi-
can party Of the State
Mr.. Taft Is In Canada on his vacation,
and nothing definite will be known about
his attitude until he returns to town. He
enjoys the distinction OF having been a
classmate at Yale Of Timothy l.. Woodruff.
Mr.. Taft has never figured largely in politics
He has devoted his life since his college
days to his profession. He Is a member
Of the law firm of Strong d Cadwalader.
Governor Chairman Odell said that he did
not know Mr.. Taft very well.
The Platt Republicans said last night
that they did not believe much In the Tart
boom. Mr.. Lauterbach said:
"Mr. Taft will make splendid candidate
II we can secure his consent to the use OF
his name. Although he has taken no very
prominent part in politics, he has been
for years a member Of the regular Repub-
lican organization Of the Twenty seventh
Assembly district. A few years ago he
was the party candidate for seat on the
Supreme Court bench, but was defeated. He
is very well known as lawyer has been
counsel for the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad for several years, and
Is a trustee Of the College of the City OF
New York. His whole record is that Of
strong, clean man. II he Is nominated
look with confidence to his election"
While Governor-C Chairman Odel said
that he did not know Mr.. Taft very well,
Mr.. Taft's friends said that Mr.. Taft knew
Governor Chairman Odell very well. The
investigation Of the graft system con-
nected with the money exchange privilege
at Ellis Island was recalled. This investi-
CATION was conducted by William Williams,
United States immigration Commissioner
at Ellis Island, by direction Of Secretary
Shaw, and Mr.. Williams's report was for
warded to Secretary Shaw on Dec. 20 last.
According to this report. c. B. Richard
4 Co., brothers-in-law OF Representative
Lucius N. Littauer and bankers and steam
ship agents. 81 Broadway, preferred charges
against Post d Flagg, bankers OF 80 Wall
street. Richard d Co.'S charges were that
Post 4 Flagg, holders Of the money ex-
change privilege at Ellis Island, had not
paid to the immigrants arriving at the island
the full market rates for exchange. Com
missioner Williams began his investigation
OF the charges on April 20, 1908. His coun-
sci, Edward H. Van Ingen. was present at
the hearings. C. B. Richard d Co. were
by Rudolph Dulon and Post d
Flagg by Hugh A. Bayne Of Strong & Cad
wslader. Commissioner Williams dismissed
the charges against Post Flagg with caus-
tic comments, which at the time interested
Chairman Odell and Representa-
tive Littauer.
Gov. Odell in letter to President Roose- |
welt displayed his interest in Richard d Co., |
and Representative Littauer at hearing |
in the White House stood by Richard Il Co., !
IL l., IL 81 T. rd
Edwin H. Richard, Mttauer's brothers-in- |
law. 1t was o. l.. Richard who became |
bondsman for Edmond r. Lyon, who |
declared that 1t was through him
that Littauer Bros. secured Govern |
ment contracts for gloves and gaunt-
ets and participated in the profits in these
when the Revised Statutes Of the |
United States declared that no member OF
Congress directly or indirectly, or by any
other person in trust for him, shall be inter
,sted in Government contracts under PEN
atty OF being adjudged guilty Of a misde
neanor and subject to fine OF 5000.
Lyon declared that the profits OF Littauer
Bros. on the Government glove and
yauntlet contracts were in the neighbor-
rood Of 500 900.
Francis j. Scully, the Tsmmany poll
ician, had the money exchange privilege
It Ellis Island before Commissioner VIII
Jams gave the contract to Post Flagg.
,cully had a working arrangement with
}. B. Richard d Co. The circumstances
the whole Of Commissioner
Hilliamss investigation developed one
Il the most despicable systems Of graft
which have yet been discovered. 1t was
asserted by experts that Scully and G. B.
richard Co.. Representative Littauer's
shared in profits from
he immigrants to the amount OF 500 900
year for several years. Post Flagg,
Who succeeded Scully and Richard 4 Co.
g the holders OF the money exchange privi-
eye at Ellis Island, make only $4,000 a
ear out OF 1t.
Richard 4 Co.. it was charged, in their
niger at Post d Flagg, established a sys-
EN- OF espionage on the money exchange
ates quoted by Post d Flagg to the i'm
and Mr.. Bayne of Strong Il Cad
yalader, in his brief to Commissioner Will
ia ms, against Richard d Co.. used some
,retty strong language Commissioner
Williams in Diminishing the charges Of Rich
I'D 4 Co. also was moved to strong Ian
,uaee about that firm, and after full in
'estigation dismissed the charges against
POST 4 Flagg.
Scully said at the time of the investiga-
ion that Gov. Odell wrote to President
"A ~ |