New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
DENIES GRAFT ATTEMPT
IN BIG PEACE DINNER
Committee Says Rebate Was
Desired Simply to Help
Their Expenses.
CHARGES OF H. C. GRANGER
He Tells of Astor Stenographer,
Concealed, Hearing "Extor-
ton Talk-Many Now
Expected at Waldorf.

An officer of the executive committee
Of the Citizens Peace Banquet, to be
held on December 80 at the Waldorf
last night made an official statement for
the committee, declaring that there was
no foundation to the charges made by
member of the Peace Society that one Of
their number had attempted eXtortion
from the manager of the Hotel Astor in
connection with the dinner This officer
declared that Edward Owings Towne
went TO Mr.. Muschenheim. Of the Astor.
authorized to ask in the name of the
committee for a rebate of 81 30 a plate
on the price of the dinner. the money To
be used by the committee in meeting
expenses OF printing and other neces-
sary outlays of money in working up
the dinner.
The charges of attempted graft were
made Yesterday by Henry G.. Granger.
Of No. 50 East 116th street, in n long
letter. which was inspired, he admitted,
by the fact that himself and friends had
been left off Of the executive committee.
This is a crouch on my part. am
frank to admit" said Mr. Granger yes
terdav but | think 1t is justified I see
no reason, however, why the committee
should not go ahead and the dinner be
held as originally planned, provided these
men who are seeking 10 use II Tor thelr
personal benefit are cleaned out of it
In his statement which is in the form
Of a letter addressed 20 c. r Macauley'
q member of tho executive committee
Mr.. Granger says that on November :
ne was asked by Mr.. Macauley 10 sug-
aest some good men for membership on
The general committee. He suggested
he said. oscar T. Crosby, John a. Henne-
berry and Hamilton Holt, and that Mr'
Macauley agreed 10 have these men IN
cluded in the committee. and Mr.. Gran
ger. also. But, nc says, when he received
his invitation, ne found that these prom
jses had not been carried out
Mr.. Grangers statement goes on TO
say that at Il later visit with MT. Ma
caulev the subject came up of how some
one was working against the success Oh
the peace dinner from the inside
"You then asked me-" the letter to Mr'
Macauley goes on 10 say, III knew 'ile
Rev. William II. Short, secretary or the
New York Peace Society, very well. oh
nv affirmative you told me that ne was
working against the success OF the affalr'
annarently because it did not originate
with his society. which l agreed was MS
constitutional attitude"
The letter goes on to say:
The following morning in accord with
your request ! called OF Mr.. snort anu
told him that | had been appointed On
Nolr committee and came AZ your suE
gesfion TO urge his cooperation. MI
Short then rocked back In his chair, MS
face illumined by the smile OF haIro"
guaee soul that had succeedeq IN pr me
of contemplate meanness. lie toId me
that there would be no banquet. lie told
me that the affair was simply a money
making scheme and an advertising propo-
sition for ex-senator Charles a. ToWne,
who was slated as tOastmaster, and that
he had advised Mr.. Carnegie OF the facts
and consequently neither Mr.. Carnegie nor
the President would attend-that after
ha wing spoken TO the Astor management
I'm regard 10 the banquet Mr. Edward
Owings Towne Ga cousin OF the EN-Sena-
complete elimination makes 1t unnecessary
10 name TO further complicate personalities
with the added question OF sex, had asked
MIR. Muschenheim for private inter
view.
MIR Short went on to say that Mr.
Mschenheim, Deing suspicious of the pur-
nose of the conference, on granting il had
q stenographer concealed behind a screen
who took down the whole conversation, in
which Mr. Towne and his associate de-
manded "A private and secret rebate To
them from the net price of the dinner OF
Sl "a head. or 81 900 on the dinner of 1000
guests Mr.. Short told me that he had in
his desk a full copy OF the transcription Of
I he conversation. He quoted some exceed
ingly deroFatory statements from an un-
signed agency report regarding Edward
Owings Townc and made some uncompli-
mentary and probably unfair remarks
about Mr.. whitney
The letter continuing says
Mfr. Short then agreed 10 show YOU Mr..
Nacauley, the documentary evidence he
had and TO wait In his Office until YOU
could get there. | got you on the wire ana
told you that II was extremely important
hat YOU see Short before the day was
over that he had ugly facts In his pos
session which needed your immediate at
tentiOn You saw him late the afternoon
of November IA. that same day.
While you were with Mr.. Short ! was
explaining the situation To Mr.. llcnncberry
who said there's plenty OF time To fix
things up and make the banquet a great
success" The following noon ! met You
al the Press club, by appointment You
naturally bitter against Short for his pro-
codure | told YOU what Mr.. Iienneherry
had said to me and that In my opinion
he was the most capable man I'm New York
Continued on fourth page.