The Washington herald., 1915-01-27
INSIDE TRACK
Was BANKERS
Mitchell Was Known as AS
sistant American Minister"
Probers Hear.
NOTE BOOK WAS LEDGER
President Carried Accounts Around in
His Pocket and Balances We're
Small, Letter States.
.n.ci.I to rh. washincton HeraId.

SPECIAL 10 Ine haallnGlon heIdiu.
New York, Jan. 26.-FTank j.. K.
Mitchell. president OF the Banco Ma
cionale, in Santo Domingo, was known
as the assistant American minister,
because he was intimate with United
States Minister Sullivan, 1t was shown
today at the Phelan inquiry at the
Waldorf-Astoria.
According to a letter sent by Hans
Bondy, who aided I'm organizing the
bank. Mitchell and Sullivan lived side
by side Mitchell. he said. spent much
of his time in Sullivan's house. and so
that he would not have to enter the
Sullivan domicile by the main road,
where people could observe him, he
tore down part of the fence between
their two houses in order to call on
his friend without being seen.
The bank in the beginning. Bondy
said. kept no books at all. All the en-
tries were made in a loose-leaf pocket
book When Sullivan arrived he spent
much of his time in the Banco Ma
cionale listening to Mitchelrs advice.
Mitchell also furnished the interpre-
ters for the legation from the bank.
At a dinner given by Bondy in the
French hotel just before he left Santo
Domingo, Bondy states. Sullivan made
a speech. in which he said.
Haven't Had Fair show.
The good citizens of SantO Domingo.
Jarvis and Mitchell. have not had
fair show under the last administra-
ton They have had to fight for all
they got. My hands are at the throat
of this man. Michelna Cpresident OF
the rival bank). and If he does not
come across they will close tighter ana
tighter until he suffoCates."
The speech was made in loud voice,
Mr. Bondy relates, so that every one
heard it, and the next day il was re-
ported over the city, causing consid-
erabIe talk among the Dominicans.
Bondy says the bank had no credit in
Europe and its average balance daily was
only $4,000 or 5000 during the time It
acted as depository for the receivership.
Bondy referred to Wick as being haras-
sed by the American Legation and the
Banco Macdonald.
Mr.. Mitchell. who was present. inter-
rupted to remark that BOndy had been
discharged from the bank for being dis
honest He then withdrew the word dis
honest and asked that II be stricken from
the record because II was a conclusion.
He added that BOndy was permitted 10
go. because Mitchell thought he was a
spy and his dismissal was on his general
record.
Quotes CabIeEram from Bryan.
Counsel Strong warned Mltchel thlt
any statements he might make were not
privileged and the consequences of his
utterances would rest on his own shOul-
ders Mitchell replied that he hoped
statements made would not exempt the
makers from perjury charges and denied
all of BOndys statements. He added
that in Santo Domingo there was no
such thing as prosecution for slander and
for that reason many statements were
made without regard to their truth and
what might follow.
A letter from Minister Sullivan to Wick
also was introduced, in which Sullivan
quoted a cablegram from Secretary OF
State Bryan urging that Wick extend
more time to the BancO Macdonald for
them to meet drafts. Wick replied to
Sullivan refusing the request on the
ground that it was not within his legal
limitations
A letter from J. Vance. deputy receiver
general of SantO Domingo, to Wick called
attention to the fact that J. Franklin
Fort. former governor of New Jersey, was
going on the stand and put the white
wash brush over Sullivan's record when
he knew just how Sullivan was viewed
in SantO Domingo. Senator Phelan or
dered the letter sent to Gov. Fort so that
he might reply TO It II he cared to.