New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-12
Conduct of James M. Sulli-
van Produces Highly Com
plicated Situation.
BRYAN SAYS CHARGES
AGAINST HIM FALSE
State Department Believes Stories
of His Activities To Be
Entirely Unjust"
From The Tribune Bureau. /

Washington. Dec 1.-THE agitation
concerning the personal conduct Of James
NJ. Sullivan. the New York lawyer who
! gained fame as counsel for Bald Jack"
Rose in the Becker trial and who is now
! American Minister 20 Santo Domingo.
where he has apparently been INDUCING in
/ the new diplomacy to an extent which has
produced a highly complicated situation,
brought forth a denial from the Secre-
| tary Of State to-day concerning one phase
| OF the things alleged. II had been
| charged that Mr.. Sullivan had used influ-
| once in behalf Of a cousin. Timothy j.
sullivan. to obtain from the Dominican
government a contract for some railway
! construction.
/ Mr. Suuivans political Sponsors among
I whom. it is said. are the two Senators
/ from New Jersey. are evidently disturbed
| by the charges. and this afternoon II was
announced from the White House that "A
statement on the subject would be forth
coming from Secretary Bryan few
| minutes before Mr Bryan had declined to
| say anything at all about the charges In
| the course Of . conversation, however.
Nj Bryan made it clear that he was not
! responsible for Mr.. Sullvan's appoint
ment He knew Of the man. but did not
| know him well at all, and did not thinl,
| for appointment to the Dominican mis-
/ sion. Later the state Department issued
| the following statement:
referring 10 the newspaper story 20
/ the effect that relative of Minister Sui
| Ivan. through tho minister's influence, Sc
! cured position under the Dominican gov
eminent. Mr.. Bryan says
Minister sullivan informs me- without
! Invitation from him. distant relative by
| the name Of Timothy J. Sullivan went Ia
Santo Domingo shortly after the appoint
ment Of Minister sullivan. This relative
was for twcnty-Seven years "A roadmas-
ter I'm the United states, and when the
bridge between Puerto Plata and Santi-
ago was blown up tine Dominican govern
mcrt having no engineer available who
could supcrinteud the restoring Of the
trcstle. asked the former roadmaster 10
| undertake the work as a favor 10 the
government and he did so without COM
/ pensation ON November q Minister Sui
1 IVAN bhllFNS'I W lll'' hlIlcl's VI hbi'N
| Works the following note:
"'tt has come TO my attention that ono
| Timothy J. Sullivan has placed with the
! Public Works Department n bid for the
! reconstruction Of the bridge on the
/ Puerto Plata Santiago Railroad. ! wish
| IL distinctly understood that Mr.. Sullivan
| by reason Of any remote relationship with
| myself. has no claims on the Dominican
| government. OF course, | have no right
20 prevent him from placing before you
j I'm fair competition with others. an honest
| bid but ! desire TO state 10 you that
! have no sympathy with any one who at
tempts to gain influence with the Do
minican government through me-
mir Timothy J. Sullivan has had nc
other employment from the government
and has no prospects Of securing such EN-
| ployment He is only there temporarily
| expecting 70 leave within a few days.
| I'm the opinion of the department the
| criticism of Mr.. Sullivan is entirely un-
! Just and will not be given weight by
those who take time 10 acquaint them
! selves with the facts"
| While the foregoing statement denies
| one allegation. It does not dispose of the
rumors prevalent concerning Mr.. Sulli
vans conduct Of affairs In santo Domingo
City and his personal department, and Il
Is believed that sooner or later there must
DO a thorough investigation.
An investigation. however. would he
dlstasteful 10 the administration. Mr.
| Sullivan Is a purely political appointee
| and an exemplar OF the type which has
aroused such widespread criticism. lie
took the place in Santo Domingo OF w. w
Russell, a veteran in the diplomatic SER