The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-15
KNOX CAN'T EXPLAIN.
The Secretary Knows Nothing About
the Day Portrait Voucher.

Washington. June 15.-The. sudden
discovery in the state. department of
the Day portrait voucher found a
week ago on the floor of the office of
Disbursing Clerk Morrison, was NOT
cleared up when Secretary of State
Knox appeared before the Hamlin
committee in response to the commit
tees subpoena
The secretary explained apparently
10 the satisfaction of the committee,
the payment of $4,000 to Frederick
tale, son of former Senator Eugene
Hale (Maine) for services in connec-
ton with Canadian boundary negotfa-
tions. Mr.. Knox produced the sec
t1ons OF the treaty in 1908, which au-
thorlzed negotiations with Canada to
Quoddy bay. Mr.. Hale was employe ed
for this work, performed his duties to
the satisfa ction of Secretary Root
and Secretary Knox approved his bill
of $4,000 few weeks after coming in
to control of the state department.
"Mr. Hale was not employed actual
~ to locate the boundary, but for the
diplomatic work of agreeing on the
nne through Passamaquoddy bay"
said Mr.. Knox. when he failed to
reach an agreement with Great Britain
the matter automatically went to ar
b1tration. Congress then appropriated
$4,000 for that work; but Mr. Bryce
and I sat in my office one day and
SCNlASQ lA6 uldllSI, HOC reRarQlng 1t of
enough value to go to the expense of
arbitration. We reduced the agree
ment to writing, 1t became a treaty
between the United States and Great
Britain, and as such was ratified by
the senate
AS to the voucher signed by Albert
Rosenthal, the portrait painter, calling
for $2,450, of which sum Rosenthal
got but $3.50, Mr.. Knox gave no new
facts.
A week ago, said Mr.. Knox, Mr..
Carr. chief of the consul bureau,
brought the voucher and papers to
him, saying that they had been found
on the floor of Disbursing Clerk Nor
rison's office.
did you make any inquiry to find
out how they got there?" asked Chair
man Hamlin.
'I did" said Secretary Knox, "and
could learn nothing. All I know
about the whole case is embodied In
this voucher and the papers attached
to it,"
At this point Secretary Knox added
new element to the mystery. you
will be interested in the other receipt
from Mr.. Rosenthal that is attached to
the papers," he said to the committee.
TT was signed January 18. 1904, and
is for $3.50, with a notation that $50
for the frame of Secretary Days pic
ture had been paid to Washington
picture DEALER
Where did this second receipt
come from?" he demanded.
'T found it with the papers, that is
all know of it, said Secretary Knox
The members of the committee, up
on examination, found that it was not
actually dated January IS, 1904 but
read: Received January 1S, 1904
the sum of $780," with an explanation
Of the purpose.
Mr.. Hamlin declared he believed
there was something wrong about the
receipt. He intimated that he believed
it had been fixed UP, at least as to
the explanation written in ink across
the bottom, after the present inves-
tigation 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 is no intention to reflect on
you personally, Mr.. Secretary, but I
am strongly of the opinion that this
was perpared after this inquiry be-
gan
'"Then you think that Mr.. Rosenthal
has written at least part of this receipt
since the time indicated in ?' asked
Mr.. Knox.
Mr.. Hamlin replied that he thought
it was a curious receipt, and that he
intended to probe the circumstances
to the bottom.
81 will welcome such an investiga-
tion," said Secretary Knox, "and II
you can show that anyone in the state
department was cognizant of such an
act, there will be some vacancies in
the department"