The Washington times., 1910-03-10
Opponents Given Till Satur-
day TO Make State
ment.
PRESIDENT REFUSES
TO WITHDRAW NAME
Baltimore Business Men Bitter
In Opposition to Re-
appointment.

William p. Stcne, collector OF customs
for the port Of Baltimore, is today the
center OF the most bitter patronage fight
with which this Administration has had
70 contend
The campaign against him. started In
the open yesterday by a delegation OF
Baltfmoreans. who called on the Pres.-
dent 20 protest against his recent renOm-
ination OF Stone. has already been car
ried from the white House To the Sem
ATE in the hope OF preventing his con
frmation II Mr. Taft does not Withdraw
the nomination
Except for the bare announcement
that the whole matter was this morning
referred 10 the Secretary OF the Treas
ury for investigation. no statement was
made Al the White House regarding the
charges which have been fled with the
President against SCone.
At the Treasury Department IL was
said that the whole matter would be
Investigated with the greatest care
It IS realized that Stones friends are
determined 10 make A night for his re
tentiOn IN office National party leaders
consider him the king-bolt Of the Re
publican party IN Maryland. but they
ray o. course that a substan uation or
the charges hled Will result in his dis
misSal from Office.
More sensational accusations could
hardly be conceived than those which
have been made against the collector.
In addition TO imPeaching his record as
an official, he is held up as being the
moving spirit Of a gambling hell IN
Baltimore. under the name Of tbs Union
League Club Statements under oath
are offered TO bear this out.
Bad Faith Alleged.
The President himself Is accused oi
acting In bad faith .Rith the Balu-
moreans, who have bean opposing the
reappointment OF Mr.. Stone fbe ac-
cusatiOn being made in a letter add ress-
ed 10 the Presidelt himself. and pre-
seated IN person by a committee yesler-
dsy afternoon. This committee was
composed OF Col ". ". MuIhaIl, forme-
They said the President had promised
not 70 make an appointment until they
could be heard, but that ne had no,
kept his word.
Formal charges have not been made.
but the Senate Committee on C0mmerca
has given the Baltimoreans until Satu--
day to file them This Is the announce
ment Of Senator Simmons Of North
Carolina, 70 whom the coTectorshfp has
been referred for Investigation BY the
whole committee.
Club Is Scored.
The committee nIed a letter from
Joseph Kingsley, Of eo2 Frederick ave-
nue.. Baltimore, 70 Colonel MuIhal
This lettcd presents charges against
Collector Stone that are startling
in every detail He accuses the Of
hcial OF being a s"silent partner
I'm the operation OF a gambling house IN
the heart Of Baltimore, calling IL the
Union League Club. He saws that he
himself lost S30,000 IN the club. and OuIv
his respect for his good name prevented
him from instituting criminal prosecu-
JionS-
The arrs nment Of the Union League
IS bitter = he author OF the letter sa rs
that A. X Mouteu and Harry Peiffer
tR-o "Ee1CHmou" OF the collector. pas
morning visits to his office and civ,
him Oue-third of all their winnings ar
poker played In the club. He SAYS tha'
. instead Of being a respectable politica
club, II Is nothing more or less thar
a gambling he'll" run BY a set O
robbers who play with cold decks
Of cards.
The conference with the President wa
far from satisfactory. according 10 re
ports The President is said 10 hav,
stated that his mind is fully made uT
and that IL VIII be useless to press the
charges now presented
Il then occurred 10 the visitors tha
they might prevent the confirmation o.
Mr. Stone. whose name was sent 70 IN.
Senate two days ago, and the matter
was carried to the Senate