Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-15
CHARGE IS UNFOUNDED
Mr.. Loomis Received Nothing
From the Asphalt Co.
REPORT TO PRESIDENT
RESULT OF SECRETARY TAFT's
INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Bowen Calls at the White House
and is Directed to Confer
With Mr.. Taft.

Secretary Taft has reported to President
Roosevelt that there is absolutely nothing
in the charge that Assistant Secretary
Loomis accepted $4,000 or any other sum
of money from the asphalt trust while he
was serving as United States minister in
Venezuela. The investigation made has
resulted in fully sustaining the statement
Of Mr.. Loomis that his only financial deal
ing that could lead to such a charge was
when he secured $1,000 in exchange at one
time from the asphalt people. To secure
this exchange he deposited Venezuelan
money in the usual way and received from
the company a check on New York. which
he cashed. The only reason he went to the
company for the draft was because there
was no American bank in Caracas.
The President had a talk this morning
with Herbert w. Bowen, the retiring min
ister to Venezuela, received his explanation
of the charges and his reasons for making
them, and directed that he confer with
Secretary Taft. Mr.. Bowen went from the
White House to the War Department,
where he remained twenty minutes with
Secretary Taft. When he went away from
the White House he declined to say any
thing, but it was known at the time that
Tie IIeSiutut WAS luiiy SdliSuSU lIidl lIlelc
was no good ground for any reflection upon
Mr.. Loomis.
Mr.. Loomis' Charges.
Secretary Taft handed Mr.. Bowen copy
of the charges which Mr.. Loomis, the
sistant secretary of state, has filed, alleging
that the retiring minister at Caracas had
inspired the publication of charges against
him. and also a copy of Mr.. LOOMS reply
to charges which Mr.. Bowen, in his Off
cial capacity as minister at Caracas, felt 1t
his duty to forward to the Washington
government as matters of information.
Mr.. Bowen took the papers to his hotel and
will prepare a supplementary statement of
his side of the case.
The Secretary also detailed stenographer
to assist Mr.. Bowen in the preparation of
his case.
Mr. Bowen said his statement would be
ready for submission probably by Wednes-
day. He refuses to discuss the matter in
any way whatsoever beyond saying that
his mission to Washington is in obedience
to instructions received some time ago and
that he awaits the pleasure of the Presi-
dent.
1t is understood to be the determination
of the administration that the inquiry shall
be brief, thorough and final.
Mr.. Bowen's Position.
1t is believed that Mr.. Bowen has taken
the position that. he has not made any
charges against Mr.. Loomis, and that he
has simply reported to the State Depart
ment rumors that he heard repeated
through Caracas and other Venezuelan cit
les and towns. He considered it his duty
to file a report of these stories, SO that the
government could do as it considered best.
1t is current opinion that Mr.. Bowen will
have to make a strong showing to keep his
standing in the diplomatic service Of the
government. Unless he can convince Sec
retary Taft and the President that he has
acted as he considered his duty. even if err
roneously, he will not be reappointed to a
position in the diplomatic service and will
drift into private life. The situation is such
that the chances pretty strong that
Mr.. Bowen will be unable to satisfy the
President and Secretary Taft that he has
acted impartially and impersonally.
Mr.. Bowen, accompanied by Mrs. Bowen,
eached Washington yesterday from New
York. Mr.. Bowen, after leaving his bag
gage at the Arlington Hotel, went at once
to the White House and left his card for
the President. He spent the evening quiet
ly at his hotel where he received a num-
Der of friends.