The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-22
BIOGRAPHY HOLDUP
DENIED BY HACKERS
Linen and. Kenyon Show Letters
of Noted Men to Re-
flute Charges.
SAY NO PAY Is DEMANDED
Cost Of Steel Portrait, However,
They Assert, May Run.
Into Hundreds.

Letters from ex-President Finley Of the
City College. Rabbi Stephen s. Wise. ex-
Ambassador Andrew d. White. ]. I. c.
Clarke and Abram l. Eikus were shown
last night by Herbert VI. Linen and J. b.
Kenyon at II Madison avenue. The let
tiers had to do with biographies Of Henry
van Dyke. Mr.. Elkus. James G. Blaine
and John d. Archboid for the "Cycio-
pedia OF American Biography"
The letters were shown to refute q
charge that the names Of we'll known men
vertise the cyclopedia and that we'll
known persons had been charged from
$3.50 to $500 apiece for having their lives
written up for the work.
Dr. Finley and Rabbi Wise had dis
claimed any knowledge OF the cyclop@dia
an enterprise which Mr.. Linen 10 conduct
Ing under the style Of the Press Assocta-
ton. Inc. Compilers. at room ll06 Pull
man Building. Mr.. Linen is secretary and
treasurer, he says. Ex-senator Dick Of
Ohio. president, Is reported to have denied
all knowledge Of the business details here
In New York and to have said that he
will investigate them as soon as possible
William Dean Howells In listed az one
OF the contributors and revisers OF the
cyclopRdia- He has said that his name
was used without authority. With this and
other denials SUN reporter went up yes
terday morning TO see Mr.. Linen.
After denying his identity and refusing
either to answer questions or to show
the circulars sent out. Mr.. Linen shut
the door. But last night, supported by
the presence Of Mr.. Kenyon, he Shove 1
letter Of June 4. 1919. apparently
signed by Abram !. Elkus In which Mr.
Elkus said he thought Rabbi Wise could
supply the few lines Of his biography re-
duired. Another letter. dated June 3,
1912. and signed stephen s, Wise"
II beg to send few lines. taking Il for
granted. however. that they are not to
be signed by my name. but are to appear
without signature or name" This re-
| ferred to Mr. Elkus's life"
This letter was shown A. from DR..
Finley on letter paper Of tho president
of the City College:
DEAR SrRs-I regret that l have not
time to prepare the sketch Of a brief
biography Of DR.. Henry van Dyke, much
as l should like to do so. Perhaps can
help you TO find some one else who has
little more time and can do II In a
more satisfactory way. l shall be glad
to look over the sketch when prepared.
JOHN II. FINLEY"
"Is II true that ex-Gov. John A. Dix
Mrs. Potter Palmer. John Hays Ham.
mond. the Persian Consul at New York
II. II. Topakyan; Mrs. George w. Child,
Of Philadelphia and others have paid from
&268 to $500 apiece for their biographies
to appear In your cyclop@diaT" Mr.. Linen
was asked.
He said II was not 20.
The only charge has been for the
plates" he explained. "a fine plate or
steel with special pen and Ink drawing b,
an artist Of note may cost several hundred
dollars There has been no charge for the
biographies as such. All our money will
be made from the sale Of the books. No
those whose lives appear are not re-
quired to subscribe There will be ter
volumes, costing SlO0-3l0 . volume"
The Linen Kenyon cyclopedia should
not Be confused with d. Appleton Coz
publication Of nfteon or % years Ago. The