The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-15
TWO MARITIME LEGGUERS OUT
nut PLENTY or LETTERS FROM
GREAT MEN ARE on SHOW.

Autograph letters from famous men OF
the present time, including Cabinet mem
bers, capitalists, bankers and lawyers, we o
on exhibition In the private banquet room
ofthe Waldorf-Astoriay yesterday afternoon.
The exhibition, which would have ex-
cited any autograph collector, had 10 do
with the first meeting over held OF the
American Maritime League, the president
Of which Is ex-senator John NJ. Thurston
and whose advisory board was composed
until recently-of Elihu Root, e1-Secretary
Of War: Paul Morton, Secretary OF the
Navy; william H. Moody, Attorney
General; William II. Taft, Secretary Of
War, several ex-Cabinet members and
dozen other men whose names ordinarily
would arouse confidence in any enterprise.
H. K Pommery, organizer and present
secretary Of the league, was in charge Of
the exhibition. Mr.. Pommery was for
merly an active worker for the Blue Pencil
Club, which collapsed after the schemes
Of some Of It's members were exposed. Mr..
Thurston also was present.
The attendance yesterday was a trihe
Disappointing, II not to Mr.. Pommery, at
least to Senator Thurston. He had come
all the way from Washington to declare
his faith in the league and his confidence
IN Mr. Pommery and to offer a long e1-
PLANTATION Of how he had come TO take the
presidency, and TO announce that IL It was
a swindle he stood ready personally to
make good any sums that had been con-
trbuted as a result Of the use OF his name.
There being no members present, Mr..
Thurston made all these explanations to
IL. Il . n a.
The meeting had been called for O'Clock.
The reporters filed in at o'clock and filled
a few Of the chairs and waited. Fifteen
minutes after 8 o'clock Senator Thurston,
accompanied by Organizer Pommery, a
boyish looking person of dark complexion,
came in, took seats at the long table and
also waited.
When 4 o'clock came and the gold chairs
were still empty, the Senator ordered
the line Of fiunkies waiting to check the
coats Of the expected Cabinet Ministers
TO close the doors. Then calling a stenog-
rapher, he dictated this:
AT a meeting Of the American Maritime
League called for April IS, there appeared
to be present the president, John NJ. Thurs
ton, and the secretary, H. X. Pommery.
No other officers or members having
appeared at 4 O'Clock Mr.. Thurston called
the meeting to order due notice having
been given in writing to all those whose
names have been used officially in con-
nection with the league
Mr., Thurston then read long and care
fully prepared statement 1t in he said
that his connection with the league had
begun on Dec. 10, last, when, upon written
request Of several distinguished gentle
men, whose names appeared as officers
Of the league, l consented to the use Of my
name for the time being, as president
He said that he had become a subscribing
member in the spring Of 1904, after the
leagues literature had been presented to
him by H. X Pommery.
Some time prior 20 Dec. IS, he said |
Mr, PommeTy had urged him to accept !
the Office Of president upon the statement |
that such was the desire Of many Of the |
officers Of the league. Il agreed that if |
the desire for my selection should DO at
tested in writing by numerous officers Of /
the league, / would allow the use OF my |
name as president, at least temporarily. |
] was not acquaintedf except casually, with |
Mr. Pommery, but / found him in charge
Of the work of the league carrying it on |
under the sanction Of the distinguished .
and | necessarily took il for granted that
any man who was trusted by them with
such responsibilities must be a gentle
man OF character and standing, and in every
way worthy Of confidence
Recent criticism has led me TO investi-
gate, and from my personal investigation
have no hesitation in stating that il fully
appears that the Use Of every name in con-
nection with the official list Of the league
has been authorized in writing by such
person whose name has been used.
Jar, IhuHtOn went on 70 say that Mr.
Pommery could prove this by letters. also
that MIR. Pommery was prepared TO make
! full and detailed account Of the moneys
received from subscriptions, amounting to
b $50
For myself said Senator Thurston. L
I'm so well satisfied with the showing he
has made and the showing he will make to
you THE members who didn't comel that il
he league is 10 continue i hope he will be-
in his present official position.
After the reporters had listened 70 this
address 10 the members, Mr.. Thurston
called upon Pommery for letters The
secretary reached down into his grip and
produced his collection IL made the re-
IorteTs gasp. Nearly all were addressed |
10 s. Elliott Curtis, % Park row. Curtis
vas then the secretary Of the league, but the
o'l'ce was that Of the Press Artists' Society.
With which Curtis was connected. Here is
Nr. Roots letter. as a sampe
III the Use Of my name as honorary vice.
TT'SheLi would be OF any service in pro- !
noung the American Maritime League 1 |
mould be happy to let you make use Of it..
This letter bore Mr. Roots signature and
n" date ~ March p, 1904 Hero Is Mayor
hcCelan's letter, written March p Of the
anne year and addressed 10 Curtis at %
Park row:
=, DEAR SIR The purpose Of the American |
'lafli m" Lea que must have the Endorsement |
lI an Americans, and / very gladly give the /
lsG OF my name TO your service.
Respectfully.
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN.
Cornelius ~ Bliss name was signed TO
evcral letters on exhibition. The first,
dated April 2s, 1901 said:
] accept with pleasure your offer desir-
Mating me as a member OF the committee on |
membership OF the American Maritime
Lea que,
John W. Griggs wrote 10 the same effect.
There waru letters in the same strain from
Secretaries Taft, Moody and Morton, Sena-
or Frye, Granville NJ. Dodge, Governors
Douglas Of Massachusetts, Chamberlain Of
connecticut and a score Of other Governors,
Capitalists headed by James Speyer next
'ame into virw, as the list was called of
alphabetically. No one demurrpd. In fact
ne only letter containing a note Of caution
"as that Of Timothy l.. Woodruff He
gladly offered the use Of his name, 1T being
Understood that ne moral or financial re-
a. -,