New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-05
STATEMENT BY Mr.. LOOMS
Continued from first page.

snt although had he gone into the railroad ss snsss
into some such scheme of securing government aid
at least government concession.
Notwithstanding the specific findings that, in
so far as the matters under investigation were
concerned, 1 had been guiltless OF any improper
conduct and. though it did not appear that
had participated in other Venezuelan enterprises
some suggestion has been made as to a supposed
lack of discreetness on my part. which sugges-
ton whether well founded or otherwise, need
not be considered here.
Replying specifically to The Heralds'' latest
attack under the heading How Financiers
Helped Loomis to Get Office" Mr.. LOOMS says
that like the earlier ones in the same paper. It
carefully avoids everything in the way OF spe-
cifc charges against him OF moral turpitude
either personal official. and seeks by sug-
gestion and inference to create the impression
that prior 70 my appointment Minister TO
Venezuela 1 had entered into some understand
ing agreement or compact by which. while in
that country, my influence was to be improperly
exerted in favor of the company or concessions
In which Messrs. Radcliffe & Kurtz either vera
then or might thereafter become interested"
He continues:
without pausng to comment upon the obvi-
ously speciouS character of the arguments and
deductions contained IN that article. take this
occasion to again deny, in the fullest and most
positive manner. that at any time have had
any Venezuelan concession or in any diplomatic
claim against that country. or its government,
any of its officers. l further deny, in the same
emphatic manner that have ever proited in
any wise through or by reason of any agreement
understanding with any concession hunter %
concession owner operating in Venezuela. or
having interests in that country.
With respect to the Manoa concession and the
affairs of the Orinoco Company, I deny spe-
officially that I had any understanding. agree
ment or compact concerning it or them with
Mr. Radcliffe or Mr. Kurtz or anybody acting
for Or N behalf mr. n he iura ar
of either of them. or of the OrinocO Company.
Prior to reading the article in yesterdays
Herald" 1 had no knowledge information
whatever which would lead me to believe that
Mr.. Kurtz, through whom I introduced
Mr. Radcliffe had any interest. direS: or indi-
rect. In that concession or the affairs OF that
company; nor did 1 know or have any reason to
believe that he had any definite intention OF
becoming interested in that or any other Vene-
zuelan enterprise.
It is true that after my appointment as Min
lister and prior to my departure for Venezuela
MIR. Kurtz whom 1 had known in a friendly
manner for fourteen or fifteen years, asked me
to advise him as to my impressions OF that eoun-
try and its resources and TO inform him OF any
favorable opportunity which presented itself OF
making investments there 1t was In compii-
with such request that 1 informed Mr.
Kurtz that there seemed TO be plenty OF conces-
sions to be had. but that il was desirable for
any intending applicant to personally look over
the ground himself
At no time prior to my departure for venez-
uea or afterwards that I recall did Mr..
Radcliffe make any request of me for action In
of the Ornoco Company, and, though 1 have re-
ceived half dozen letters from Mr.. Kurtz
since nv appointment Minister and have
probably seen and talked with him a score OF
times he has never, to the best Of my recollec-
ton ever referred to the Manoa concession or
the Orinoco Company. or intimated that he was
in any wise concerned in their destinies.
In view of the very evident intention OF the
article in question to further false impressions
concerning my official conduct in connection
with the Manoa grant, 1t is, perhaps. worthy
of notice that Immediately following the some
what extensive selection OF letters, mutilated
and otherwise. appearing therein the article
concludes as follows:
Mr. Radcliffe asserts that nothing Of a beneficial
character him his enterprise came out OF
his efforts In behalf of Mr.. Loomiss candidacy as
Minister at Venezuela
That statement is, no doubt. true and it may
be added that at no time prior to yesterday did
l have any reason 10 believe that Mr.. Radcliffe
account If by the further suggestion that the
Orinoco Company, over the Strengthening out OF
which Mr. Radcliffe and Mr.. Stafford had Ia
bored for years passed by some process as YET
not quite clear to the OrinOco corporation with
it's chief offices at Cincinnati and Ohio interests
in the saddle" 1T is intended 10 suggest that l
in any wise instigated or assisted at or was con-
cerned in such transfer, cannot too emphatical-
" deny the suggestion. l have never had ana
sort kind either with Mr. Dodge OF the "Ohio
interests in such connection.
In conclusion. permit me to say that II IN any
respect this denial should seem 10 be incom-
plete or inconclusive 1 would be glad TO accord
to any specific charges for which The Herald
would assume responsibility the consideration
which they would no doubt deserve.