The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-06-21
GRAFT IN WASHINGTON.
KNOX FAILS TO SHED LIGHT ON
THE NATTER.
Explains Hale Transaction-Secret
of State Produces Satisfactory
Statement az to- Payment of $1,000
to Senator's SON.


portrait voucher. consequent lively
controversy between Secretary Knox
and Chairman Hamlin Of the house
investigating committee, and testi-
mony OF Distributing officer Morrison's
white messenger that he found the
voucher on the floor near Morrison's
desk after the archives had been ef-
fectually ransacked. featured today's
state department investigation.
Correspondence between Secretary
Root and Consul General Michael at
Calcutta indicated that the myste-
rious difference between the amount
paid to the portrait painter was ap-
piled to emergency accounts. proba-
bly, Chinese matters, according to Mr..
Michael The exchange between Mr..
Knox and Mr.. Hamlin blew over
quickly. Mr. Morrison probably will
be called to explain how the voucher
happened to be among the "crumpled
envelopes near his waste basket at
the close OF the days work long after
the search for the document has been
on.
The secretary explained to the sat-
isfaction OF the committe the pay
ment OF $1,000 to Frederick Hale. son
OF Former Senator Eugene Hale OF
Maine. for service I'm connection with
Canadian boundary negotiations. Mr..
Knox produced the sections OF the
treaty OF 1908 which authorized ne
gotiations with Canada to establish
the line through Passamauuoddy bay.
Mr. Hale was employed for this work.
performed his duties - the satisfac-
tion OF Secretary Root. and Secretary
Knox approve the payment of $4,000
n few weeks after coming into con-
troll Of the state department.
AS to the vouchers signed by Albert
Rosenthal. the portrait painter. call
ing for s2.450. OF which sum Rosen-
thai got but $3.50. Mr.. Knox could
give no new facts. He only knew that
ne had started search for it as soon
as ne heard about the case. and that
search failed to reveal any trace Of
the voucher or letters supposed to be
with II.
A week ago. said Mr.. Knox, Mr..
Carr. chief IF the consular bureau,
brought the voucher and papers to
him. saying they had been found on
the floor OF Disbursing Clerk Morri-
sons office.
Did you make inquiry to find out
how they got there?" asked Chairman
Hamlin.
II did" said Secretary Knox, "and
could learn nothing. All know about
the whole case is embodied in this
voucher and the papers attached to il.
At this point Secretary Knox added
a new element to the mystery.
You will be interested in another
receipt from Mr.. Rosenthai that is
attached TO the papers" he said to
uary 2S 1904. and Is for $3.50, with a
notation that $50 for the frame of
Secretary Days picture had been paid
to Washington picture dealer"
Mr.. Hamlin grabbed the papers.
Where did this second receipt come
from?" he demanded.
IA
all know OF IT," said Secretary Knox.
The members OF the committee. up
on examination found that 1t was not
actually dated January IS. 1904. but
read: Received January is, 1904. the
sum of S79O." with an explanation Of
the purpose.
MIR. Hamlin said he believed there
was something wrong about the re-
ceipt He intimated that he believed
II had been fixed up. at least as to
the explanation written In ink across
the bottom after the present investl-
cation began.
'Do you mean that you suspect
some one In the state department Is
guilty OF committing perjury" de-
manded Secretary Knox with heat.
There IL no intention to reflect on
you personally, Mr.. Secretary. re-
turned the chairman. "but ann
strongly OF the opinion that this was
prepared after this inquiry began"
Then YOU think that Mr. Posen-
thai has written at least part Of the
receipt since the time indicated i'm
it?' asked Mr.. Knox.
Mr.. Hamlin replied that he thought
IL was a curious receipt ana that ne
intended 10 probe the circumstances