Evening star., 1911-06-06
Clears Mystery in Case of the
Day Portrait.
HOW $1,000 WAS SPENT
Used as Part Of Fund for Secret Ex-
penditures.
BUT INQUIRY WILL CONTINUE
Senator Tells Committee He Did Not
Authorize Payment to Prof.
Hollander.

The testimony of Senator Root Of New
York before the House committee on ex-
penditures in the State Department to-
day went a long way. in the opinion OF
those attending the hearing. TO clear up
the mystery surrounding the purchase by
the State Department in 1903 of an oil
portrait Of former Secretary Of State
Day. The artist received only $3.50 for
the portrait. although the voucher he
signed in blank afterward was filed in
for $3.50. The committee has been try
ing to account for the discrepancy.
Senator Root told the committee today
that AT the request Of MIR. Day. now an
associate justice of the Supreme Court.
II whom Albert Rosenthal. the artist who
PAINTED the portrait. appealed, he had
caused an investigation to be made OF the
transaction. and became convinced. after
William n. Michael. chief clerk Of the
department when the portrait was pur-
chased. and since then United States con-
SUI general at Calcutta. had made a re-
Yogt, that the difference OF $1,000 had
Ieen expended under the direction Of Sec
reta-y of State Hay for purposes Of
which it was not desired to leave q
record.
The Secretary of State is authorized by
statute to make non-accountable expendi-
lures from the secret fund. The investi-
alton satisfied Mr. Root that everything
ia connection with the purchase of the
portrait and the expenditure Of the $1,000
Eot accounted for was regular.
Ask for Copies Of Record.
The members of the committee present
Chairman Hamlin and Representatives
Dent of Alabama and Davis of Minnesota,
did not express an opinion after the
hearing was over as to whether they were
satisfied with the light thrown on the
portrait mystery by the former Secretary
of State. They will continue their in
quiry.. at any rate. Mr.. Hamlin has
caused a subpoena to be issued for copies
of the records of the State Department
bearing on the portrait purchase. and
expects by this means to get around the
refusal Of Secretary Of State Knox, act
ing on the advice of President Taft, to
produce the original records showing ex-
penditures from the emergency fund.
MI Hamlin today introduced his bill
outlined In The Star yesterAay. which is
intended to amend the statutes so as to
provide for auditing In the future. by q
special joint committee OF Congress. OF
the secret fund Disbursements.
After the committee had questioned Mr..
Root at length concerning the Day por
trait mystery, the Hollander caee was
brought up, and Mr.. Root emphatically
denied that II was with his knowledge
and consent that the Dominican govern
ment paid Jacob H. Hollander Of Balti-
more. who was on the islands as the paid
agent of the United States. $1OO.oOO for
services rendered in that capacity, in ad-
dition to the forty odd thousand dollars
received from this government. Mr.. Root
inserted letters IN the Record to support
his contention that he did not learn that
DR.. Hoilander was receiving compensa-
airy, 19o. DR.. Hollander. when before
the committee couple OF weeks ago,
testified that Assistant Secretary of State
Icon and Secretary Root had authorized
~St.ptance of pay from the Domini-
>'.i government in December, 1908.
Questioned by Committeeman.
The committee tackled the portrait
pIcp siti5.l first. Senator Root testified
that the discrepancy between the amount
Paid for the portrait and the voucher
s-ened by the artist was first brought
attention by Justice Day. and that
IA Immediately o.dered an investigation.
DAD YOU see the voucher" Chairman
a asked
1 Gid, tie senator replied The main
l-..-.l of il appeared to be for 81 $50,
N.sn an approval Of that amount by Sec
ie.aiy Hay. Underneath was a separate
paper signed by the artist who painted
preston left in my mind after inspecting
the voucher was that Mr.. Hay had ap-
III we'd of the payment Of 2,4J0 to Mr..
Aiichael.
Mr.. Hamlin inquired il the voucher bore
:.., reference to the Day portrait Mr..
Root replied that, to the best Of his rec
objection. 1t did not.
-. Then .f.e , how did you identify itr' Mr..
1T was brought to me when l sent
for Ii. as that particular voucher" Mr..
Root replied.
What became of it?" asked Mr.
Hamlin.
Il suppose the senator responded.
that IL was put back in the files in
the regular course"
testified here by Thomas Morrison, dis
bursIng clerk of the State Department
that the voucher never had been re-
turned"
yes" replied Mr.. Root 'he said he
couldn't find it."
Then you really don't know what
became of it?" suggested Mr.. Hamlin.
No" Mr. Root admitted 1T was
brought to me as thousands of other
papers were and later taken away in
regular course"
Made Oral Report.
Senator Root told the committee that
he thought Chief Clerk DENLY. who
succeeded Col Michael. made the inves-
tigation that he ordered.
Did he make report TO you! Mr..
Hami.:. asked.
An oral report. think" said the
senator But there was written
communication from Mr.. Michael. who
then the United states consul at
Calcutta
What did that reply contain?"
I'm substance" said the senator, 1T
said that ne tMichaeD had been directed
Ly Nr Hay to make payments for sew
eral matters out OF the emergency fund
the non-accountable fund-that those Diff
feret items aggregated s., 40. that one OF
them was $50 for the Day portrait.
that he got the money from the disburs-
ing Office and paid il out for the various
tens, as directed by Mr. Hay"
Did he say what the 81 500 went for 2?
the chairman inquired
Il think not" Senator Root replied
IF he did, / don't recall it,
What disposition did you make OF the
investigation?' asked Mr. Hamlin.
Il was satisfied said Mr.. Root "tha,
the $3.50 had been paid out by Mr.
Michael with Mr.. Hays approval. and
saw no reason to doubt that II had beer
expended as stated"
did you have any further evidence o,
that besides Mr.. Michaels letter. asked
the chairman.
Senator Root replied that he had not
Not General Custom.