The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-07
ROOT 0. D SHEDS Light :''| |.
ON n. PORTRAIT CASE
Money Was Used as Part Of
Fund for Secret Expen-
ditures.

Washington. D. c.. June 6.-The tcs-
timony of Senator Root of New York,
before tho House Committee on Elk
penditures In the State Department to-
day went long way. In the opinion
OF those attending the hearing, TO
cicar up the mystery surrounding the
purchase by the State Department in
1903 OF an oil portrait of former Sec
rotary OF State Day. The artist re-
ceiVed only 1850 for the portrait, al
though the voucher he signed In blank
atterward was filed In for $2.45o. The
committee has been trying to account
FOR the discrepancy
senator Root told the committee to-
Gay That. at the request OF Mr.. Day.
now an associate Justice Of the Su-
preme Court. to whom Albert Rosen-
thai. the artist who painted the por-
trait. appealed, he had caused an in
Vestigation to be made OF the trans
action, and became convinced. after
William Fl. Michael CHIEF clerk of the
depa-tment when the portrait was
pure sed, and since then United
stat, consul-general at Calcutta. had
made a report. that the difference of
l.6oO had been expended under the
direction OF Secretary of State Hay
for purposes OF which It was not de-
sired to leave a record
The Secretary of state is authorized
by statute to make non account bI 9
expenditures from the secret fund. The
investigation satisfied Mr.. Root that
everything In connection with the pur-
chase OF the portrait and the expendi-
ture CT the $1,000 not accounted for
was regular.
Ask for Copies of Record.
The members on the committee pres
ent Chairman Homr.n and Reprcsen-
tatlves Dent. OF Alabama. and Davis
OF Minnesota. did not express an opin-
lon after the hearing was over as to
whether they were Satisfied with the
light thrown on the portrait mystery
ny the former Secretary of State. They
VIII continue their Inquiry. at any rate
bir. Hamlin has caused a subpoena to
be Issued for copies bearing on the
portrait purchase. and expects by this
means to got around the refusal of
Secretary Of State KNOX. acting on tho
advice OF President Taft, to produce
the original records showing expendi-
lures from the emergency rund.
Mr. Hamlin to-day introduced his
hill. which is intended 10 amend the
statutes 80 as to provide for auditing
In the future. by special Joint com
mittee of Congress. OF the secret fund
disbursements.
After the committee had questioned
wi. fNoot dl ienetn concerning the Day
portrait mystery. the IIollanderS cas-
was brought up. and Mr.. Root en-
phatically denied that It was with his
knowledge and consent that the Domi-
nican government paid Jacob H. Hol-
lander. OF Baltimore. who was on the
islands as the paid agent OF the United
States, 100000 for services rendered
In that capacity. in addition to the
forty odd thousand dollars received
fr< 1, T.
serted letters In the Record to sup
port his contention that he did not
learn that DR.. Hollander was receiving
COMPENSATION from both governments
until January. 1903. DR.. Hollander,
when before the committee couple
of weeks ago. testified that Assistant
Secretary OF State Bacon and Secre-
tary Root had authorized his accept
ance Of pay from the Dominican gov
ernment in December, 1908