The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-30
DAY PORTRAIT
. MAY Be CENTRE
OF SENSATION
Artist Receives $3.50,
but Who Got
the Rest?
VOUCHER SHOWS
TT COST So, 45O
Portrait Painter Says He Signed
Paper in Blank, and Later 1t
Was Filled Out for Greater
Amount-Cominittee Co
ing to Bottom of
Affair.

Washington. D. c.. May 2a.-Aibert
Rosenthal. Philadelphia portrait
painter. to-day startled the House
committee which is Investigating ex-
penditures in the State Department
with the charge that he was paid only
$3.50 for a portrait OF Associate Jus
tice William r. Day, former Score
tary OF State, while the State Depart
ment records contain voucher and
receipt indicating that he was paid
s2.45O.
Mr. Rosenthal indicated that he
learned OF the voucher being made
out for this amount. practically three
times what he received. when Charles
DENLY, who had succeeded Colonel ".
II. Michael as chief clerk of the State
Department. Sreproved Mr. Rosenthal
for charging so much for the Day
portrait. Mr. Rosenthal told Mr.. DEN
by he had received only 1850. and Mr..
DENLY Immediately sent for the vouch-
er and permitted the artist to see 1t.
Immediately after Mr.. Rosenthal
had given tbs testimony the commit
tee sent to the State Department for
the voucher In question. 1t Is the in
tention OF the committee TO go to
the bottom OF the affair.
Mr. Rosenthal told the committee
that he painted the Day portrait for
his series OF the Supreme Court
HE said that II nc liked the por-
trait he would want It for the State
Department" said Mr.. Rosenthal.
Who said that?" asked Representa-
tive Hamlin. Of Missouri. the commit
tee chairman.
.Mr. Justice Day" Mr. Rosenthal re-
Had Agreement With Day.
Slr. Hamlin asked Mr.. Rosenthal II
he had any agreement with anybody
connected with the State Department
as to the cost OF the portrait.
No" said Mr.. Rosenthal but had
an agreement with afr. Justice Day
that should not charge more than
sSh0. with the frame"
Afr. Rosenthal then remarked that
the painting was completed and placed
I In the State Department, where II is II
present. and that he received $3.50 for
IT.
rs that all the money you, received"
Mr.. Hamlln inquired
Yes. SIR,
And how did you receive that
money!"
1T has been SO long ago." said Mr..
Rosen;hal. that all know is that
received check for 1850
From Colonel Michael. chief clerk
qutred.
From Colonel Alichaeel, chic. clerk
OF the Department OF State at thai
time" Mr.. Rosenthal rejoined
What kind OF check did YOU re-
ceive?" the chairman continued was
Il his personal check"
We'll, replied Mr.. RoscnthaI. IT
could not swear to that: my impress; on
Is 1t was. but could not swear to thnt
fact"
The chairman then asked Mr.. Rosen-
thai If he had signed any voucher or
receipt.
Always in my dealings with the de.
partment." said the witness, II have
gotten some voucher, and find
voucher in this case"
"A government voucher?'. he was
asked
Yes. sir" said Mr.. Rosenthal.
did you know what that voucher
contained when you signed it," chair
man Hamlln asked.
''T do not recall that It contained
ANYTHING" said MIR. Rosenthal
Signed Blank voucher.
Was it blank voucher?"
1T was" Mr.. Rosenthal replied.
The chairman then asked the artist
II he had since had occasion to see
that voucher. Mr.. RosenthaI said that
he had He said that in February or
March, 1907. he had occasion to go to
the State Depa on another mat
ter.
THE subject of the voucher was
brought up by Mr. DENLY. he said.
and the subjec. OF my price for Mr..
Days portrait was brought up. We
were discussing a portrait OF Secretary
Hay that / painted and loaned for the
Portland exposition. and that caused
Mr.. DENLY to remark that my price
was more than the department had
ordinarily been charged.
II said that was not possible: that
had gotten $3.50. He said: There Is
some mistake, because the voucher
calls for good deal more Ny i'm
preston Is he showed me the voucher,
and It called for $4,000 or s2,450.
Either one or the other"
WAS that the voucher that you had
signed?" the chairman inquired.
ut had my signature on it," said
Mr.. Rosenthal.
You signed 1t in blank?" suggested
the chairman. Mr.. Rosenthal replied
in the Affirmative. i8,ss
and when you saw that voucher
asked. Now. what did You say or do!
"Of course, told them had not re-
ceived that amount" said Mr., Rosen-
thai He added that he told Mr.. DENLY
the amount he did receive. and also
that he thought It was only due to
Justice Day to;inform him OF the fact.
III did that simply told him that |
was confronted with voucher for
s2.45o for his Portrait that II had
hagreed to paint 1T for $780, and had
received $500 ',,I
do you know what, II anything. he
Continued on Ninth Page.)