The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-07-15
Against Swartzell's Transfer.

Ricketts, had not been successful bust
less man before his entrance into the
Government service. Mr.. Ricketts, testi-
fed to starting and afterward selling
three country newspapers IN Illinois;
on all of them he did very well finan-
cially.
Concerning his service on the board
of awards at the St. Louis exposition.
Mr. Ricketts, said he secured the APP
pointment through political friends, and
at their instance, one of them, former
Senator Thurston, having first suggest-
ed 1t to him He pointed out that the
committee was unanimous in its award
of the honors for printing machines. Civ
ing the grand prize to the Mergenthaler
and the gold medal to the LanSton. He
denied any improper relations with Pres
ident Dodge or anybody else connected
with the Mergenthaler. but admitted
that he had been for many years per,
representative of that company.
Denies Telephoning Kennedy.
Mr. Ricketts, was asked if, when he
first learned of the granting of the Lam
ston contract for seventy-two machines.
he did not at once go to his office and
telephone. He denied this, but said
later In the day Mr. Kennedy called him
on the phone and demanded to know
why the officials of the Printing Of
flee had deceived the Mergenthaler peo-
pie by leading them to believe no con-
tract for machines was yet to be made
Concerning q meeting with Mr.. Ken
nedy downtown the evening of June IS,
Mr.. Ricketts, said Kennedy asked him
TO come to a restaurant, which he did
There Mr. Kennedy asked him TO go
upstairs and meet Mr. Dodge To this
Mr.. Ricketts, first deInurred. but after
ward consented He told Mr. Dodge he
had not been informed of the Lanston
contract till after ii was awarded and
admitted that he did not favor It
The politics of the campaigns of
Messrs Palmer and Ricketts, for the
Public Partnership was gone into at
some length. Mr.. Palmer made il plain
that he desired to be retained. and Mr..
Ricketts, denied that he had ever an
nounced himself a candidate for the
place. though ne said his friends had
tn ken steps in his behalf He had. he
said, used such effort IS he could TO
keep this campaign out of the press.
Sued Sun for Libel.
Concerning the accusations of the New
York Sun that Mr.. Ricketts, was in the
pay of the Mergenthaler Company. Mr.
Ricketts, explained that he had prompt
/; sued the Sun for $780, 900 for libel and
that the action was now pending on APP
Zeal from a ruling of the court.
In the course of his testimony Mr..
Ricketts, hrI Ight out that he had been
telephoned +, ON the White House, soon
after it was given out that the Lanston
contract had been awarded. and asked
by Assistant Secretary McGraw to have
the contract held up. To this Mr.
Ricketts, replied that he had no au-
| thority; that the matter was for the
Public Printer alone. Mr.. McGraw
! then phoned the Public Printer, who
q, first said Ii was too late, as the con-
! tract was closed However, he finally
! held IL up on the ground that the
requisition had rot been prepared for
! the machines.
| Later Mr.. Ricketts, went to the White
| House on business. and Secretary Loeb
| talked to him about the machine con-
| tracts. Mr.. Loeb said Z had been de-
! cided to have Postmaster General Cor
tolyou investigate the whole matter
! This interesting bit OF evidence par
! ticularly concerned the commissioners.
| 1t appeared that the President had
| first asked Mr. Cortelyou to take up
and investigate the matter. but he was
! unable TO do so for want of time, and
! then ii WAS turned over to the present
! Keep commission.
| Mr. Palmer admitted having gone TO
| President Doves home. and that Mr.
J Dove had come to his home. about tn
| machine contract; but nothing of the
I sort had taken place since the contract
WAS placed.