New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-19
Recalls Talk That He Was
Candidate for Job as
Wilson'S Secretary.
FOES TO GET HIM
TO HURT MCOMBS
Witnesses Tell More OF
Doings of Sullivan i'll
Santo Domingo.

Evidence was brought ouN sN''
81 the hearing before Commissioner
James u. Phelan. who is investigating
che charges made by Walker W. NicN'
former Receiver General Of Customs al
Ssn,o Domingo. against James NSpS
Sullivan American Minister 20 that re
,rb,ic that strong political influence
had been brought 10 bear ON WICK 10
discourage him from pressing 'oe
charges WICK also testified that 'o-
fo,r,ot,on had come 10 him from po-
,i,icsl friends that the wfd had gone
out 10 get him." and through MN 10
5;scre6,- his close friend, William r.
NcCombs. chairman Of the Democratic
National Committee.
NJ Wick declared that Mr. McCombs
had absolutely nothing TO do with the
Sullivan charges. He said that certain
persons had come to him and told INN
thu, = thew could discredit him II
wopld reflect on McCombs, because he
,r,s his closest friend. and that they
could Obtain political advancement IN
tbst Uav. one man told him. he Sald:
that he could GET q oStmasterSniP, !
he could get something on MN Nl0A =
Tho former receiver general tolo OF
q dinner which was held m ms honor
on December -. 1912, Just after ne
rad corpleted his work as manager o.
the Democratic National headquarters
~ This CITY. There were present Mr..
WcCombs. Henry NCrCenthau. now
Ambassador 90 Turkey; Colonel r, ~
House. close friend OF President w u
son. William McAdoO. Secretary OF 'he
Treasury: Robert Adamson. Ere COM
missioner and if,y or more others.
Wick said there had been CONSIDER
able talk Of his becoming secretary 10
President Wilson. and he understood
some persons unfrendly 10 MN nau
represented "a the President that the
dinnor launched a campaign for him
for the place. and had reflected on MS
conduct at the dinner
Wick Accuses Tumulty.
In answer 10 questions the witness
said that Joseph p. Tumulty. who be
came the Presidents secretary. dld NOT
attend the dinner. and he understood
that Tumulty told his friends he didn't
intend 20 put up $40 for a dinner 70
the man WHO was a NolAAtN nav t.btAa''-
him. Wick intimated that Tumulty was
back OF some Of the efforts TO discredit
him.
The subject OF political influence and
efforts TO discredit Wick came up when
Commissioner Phelan wanted 70 know
II the witness had received any money
or been promised remuneration OF any
kind for carrying on the Sullivan IN
vestigation. Wick said he had received
rothing. or any promises. and had de-
voted most Of his time and much money
since last August I'm preparing the
charges.
"Have any politicians encouraged
you In the investigation ~ asked Com
missioner Phelan.
mo. indeed" said the witness. but
some have tried 20 discourage me-
A copy Of an affidavit made by sew
eral Dominicans in June. 1914, was
placed I'm evidence. IL charged WICK
with disorderiy conduct 40 dinner
Wick characterized the document as a
tissue OF lies. and said he understood
that officials Of the Banco Nacional
with whom. it is alleged. Minister Sui
livan was closely associated. were IN
strumental in obtaining the aihdavii
and sending 10 20 the state Department
At Washington.
The witness SAID ne nal written ''O
Rotary Bryan for information IN re-
gard 10 the original affidavit, but had
never received a reply or even an &C
acknowledgement of his letter.
Earl Harding. who investigated the
Sullivan charges for "Tho World
testified that he had looked INTO the
matter Of the affidavit against Nlck.
and 10 had been rcpudiated by some OF
tho men Who had igucd IT, COmmls-
sioncr Phclau received the copy Of the