New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-30
PORTRAIT BILL PADDED?
State Department Paid S2.45O;
Artist Got $3.50.
VOUCHERS CAN'T BE FOUND
Former Clerk Michael, Now
Consul at Calcutta, Asked
for an Explanation.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau


Washington. MAY 29-Folowing rather
sensational testimony before House COM
mittee to-day, II is now up to Colonel Will
lam Fl. Michael, former Chief Clerk Of the
State Department, and now consul genei IA
at Calcutta, to explain why the RECORDS
appear 10 show that Albert Rosenthal,
Philadelphia artist, received $3.50 for
painting OF ex-Secretary William r. Day
whereas the artist says he received but
$3.50, the contract price agreed upon. I"o
witnesses Mr. Rosenthal and Thomas
Morrison, disbursing clerk Of the depart
ment testified that the voucher filed IN
dicated that the painter had received s2,45o
Mr.. Rosenthal said that he signed
"blank' voucher; received checK lof
$3.50 from Chief Clerk Michael, ana re-
garded the incident as closed untll ne
was asked 10 make another painting LOT
the department, and was told That Ms
prices we're too high. He was then SHOWN
the $3.50 voucher for the Day painting
The voucher was shown him by CHER
Clerk DENLY. who succeeded Michael, and
who is now Consul General at Vienna.
Mr.. Morrison. the disbursing clerk. was
unable TO produce the voucher TINS AFTER
noon. He testified that about five years
ago It had been sent for by Mr. Denny
and had never been returned TO his MES
which should contain all cancelled
vouchers.
Il recall that the voucher was for
50. $50" said Mr. Morrison. Il also re-
member that | paid this amount, think
by check, direct 10 Chief Clerk Michael.
The voucher was countersigned by Elihu
Root. then Secretary of State.
Mr. Rosenthal was then recalled and tes-
tilted again that he received but $500 ior
his work, as agreed upon with Secretary
Day. later appointed associate Justice OF
the Supreme Court. He saw the SZ'ioV
voucher. he said. when he went 70 the
State Department about five years ago 10
talk about portrait Of Secretary Hay.
What did you say or do when you saw
the voucher for the increased amount"
asked Chairman Hamln.
II went 10 Justice Day and told him
Of the incident. l don't know what ne
ever did or said about IT,"
Mr.. Morrison said that the Secretary's
Office had asked him TO lock for the Rosen-
thai papers a week ago but that he mad
been unable 70 find them. He volunteered
10 make another search. and II the original
voucher is not obtainabe he promised the
House Committee on Expenditures in the
State Department. to produce the book rec
ord OF the check sent 10 Chief Clerk
Michael for the Day painting.
Mr.. Rosenthal was reasonably certain
that his $3.50 check had been signed by
Colonel Michael personally.
Il cashed IL as soon as | got it, he said
and did not notice particularly. As l re-
call II. this was about six years ago, and
do not remember the details. had for
gotten the incident until | went 70 the
State Department on the other matter and
was shown a voucher purportng 10 show
that had received $3.50 for the paint
irG."
II was said at the State Department that
the books of the department showed an
entry Of 81 $50 with a notation that of this
amount $3.50 was paid 10 Mr.. Rosenthal for
n portrait Of ex-Secretary Day. and ths
the remainder was disbursed by Chief Clerxs
Michael under the direction of the Ssss
rotary of State" Mr.. Michael has been
asked by Secretary Knox to explain the
entry