New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-21
LINKS BRYAN
AND GLYNN In
ISLAND GRAB
Sullivan Case Witness
Thought They'd Share
in Dominican Profits.
DAVIS, HOWEVER,
WAIVERS IN BELIEF

tNiiiito DSNi Dl0b SdlI
Secretary by Name, and
Hints at Bluff.
The name Of W. J. Bryan again fig
ursd prominently Yesterday At the
hearing before Commissioner James D.
Phelan. who was appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson TO investigate the charges
against James Mark Sullivan, United
States Minister to Santo Domingo.
The mention Of the Secretary of
State by NJ. E. Davis. a witness, as one
OF coterie OF men interested in the
improvement of Sento Domingo who
were alleged to share in the profits Of
prospective contracts in the island
came as sharp surprise TO the Com
missioner and the spectators.
Davis added to the sense situation by
including the names OF Martin H.
Glynn. Ex-Governor of New York; Rep-
resentative James A. Hsmill. of New
Jersey; "a gentleman from Delaware"
and two or three others whose names
he could not remember. He said that
William c. Beer, lawyer and sponsor
for Minister Sullivan. told him these
men were expected 10 share in profits
on contracts.
Reminded Of the seriousness OF mis-
statements. and under close question
ing by Charles II. Strong, counsel to
the Commissioner. Davis finally said he
believed Beer had mentioned MIR.
Bryan's name in spirit OF idle boast,
though he maintained that he had
taken Beers statements seriously az
the time.
Contracts Didn't Materlalize.
1t has developed during the hearings
that the Dominican contracts which
Beer and the "Banco Naconal crowd"
expected 20 get, with the assistance Of
Minister Sullivan. did not materialize.
Commissioner Phelan asked the wit
ness what would be Beers object in
revealing to him Davis the names Of
the men with whom he was associated.
probably TO create in my mind an
idea OF his standing with the admins
tration," Davis replied.
But ne said that these men had
share OF the profits OF the business.
Was that an argument 70 you TO make
your prices high in order that they
could be subdivided among many"
asked the Commissioner.
"My idea was that these profits
we're to be more or less concerned in
politics" said Davis. an other words,
he Beer said he had put Mr.. Sulli-
van in that position; | think he said It
was with the assistance Of Mr. Hamill.
He indicated that these men were in
terested down there privately in very
large tracts of cedar and other land,
and that il the government would build
state roads and railroads it would make
the value of their land higher, and
along with the public work we were
also TO do private work.
Davis is a dealer in railroad sup
plies st so Church ST. He testified that
he went to Santo Domingo in October,
1918, with James Walsh, of the Walsh
Call Company, contractors, and Mr..
Call, vice president of that company,
at the invitation OF Beer.
Beer represented to them, according
10 the witness, that the Dominican gov
ernment had s6.O0O,0OO on deposit,
which was to be used in various public
improvements, and If the Walsh-Call
company got some Of the contracts ne
expected 70 furnish supplies. They had
several talks with Beer before going,
Davis said. and it was AZ one of these
conversations that Beer said:
Saws Beer Named Glynn. Too.
"vv associates who will have a share
in my profits out of any work that is
done in Santo Domingo are Mr. Glynn, 7
Vr Hemill and no less a parsonage IN
Washington than the Secretary OF
SWhom are. you quoting'" asked
Commissioner Phelan.
"Wr. Beer" replied the witness.
"Whether he meant the Secretary OF
State himself. or whether he meant
somebody of equal standing. ] am not
sure. but ! took it to mean Secretar!
Did you believe that, as a citizen
of the United States? Al did. but
Rad little doubt: and Mr. Call did not
nut up any money az all until We went
down there and looked the field over.
and we thought there was great deal
Of construction work IN Santo Do .
mingo
Odd you believe that any money
would follow through Mr. Beer 10 the
Secretary Of State Of the United states
on account OF work done down there
Al do not really think knew the .
seriousness OF it
Did YOU give that construction 10
his remarks. that the money Vas IN
tended for the Secretary of State! Re
member. YOU are making very serious
and you are the frst witness
.bo has made reflection upon Mr.
Al think that the remark OF Mr.:
Reer-I think everything Mr.. Beer said
q great deal OF weight with Il,