Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-11
SULLIVAN CLEARED
DENIED BY TUMULTY
Wilson's Private Secretary Asserts
White House Never White
washed" Minister.
SUSPICIOUS OF ALL CHARGES


WASHINGTON. Feb. 1O.---Joseph
p. Tumulty. secretary to President
Wilson. and Representative James
A. Hamill OF New Jersey were wit
nesses today at the investigation
into charges against James M. sulli-
van, minister 20 the Dominican re-
public.
Secretary Tumulty testified that
Representative Hamill introduced
Sullivan to him and that he simply
acted as a medium for transmitting
the endorsements of Sullivan to the
secretary Of state" He said that he
knew of no "flood of debts" which
were presented as an argument
against appointing Sullivan. He had
heard Of personal debts which it was
claimed Sullivan owed, but asserted
that is a usual thing in candidates
for office"
Only Real Argument.
The only real argument presented
against Sullivan, Mr. Tumulty said was
his connection with Jack Rose. a witness
at the trial Of Lieutenant Becker, in New
York and a letter from Governor Whit
man dispeIled that.
Mr.. Tumulty declared he never knew
OF any connection between Mr.. Sullivan
prior to his appointment and the Jarvis
interests in New York, w. c. Beer John
G. Gray or the Banco Naclonal OF the
Dominican republic.
The White House is a great clearing
house for rumors," said Mr.. Tumuity,
land when these charges began TO come
In about Mr.. Sullivan. heard about the
Jarvis interests and the Banco Nacional.
asked Mr.. Wick formerly receiver gem
eral of Dominican customs) to watch Mr..
Sullivan closely and keep the White
House advised. also told him to warn
Minister sullivan that the president would
be displeased II he heard of Sullivan
growing too close to any interests and
would take such action as became neces-
sary."
Suspicious of Charges.
He was inclined to be suspicious of all
charges coming from the Dominican re-
public, because Mr.. Wick had told him, in
relation to accusations against the latter,
that the atmosphere there was charged
with recrimination and throat cutting.''
Mr.. Tumuity denied that. the White
House had ever exonerated or white
washed" Minister Sullivan. He said that
J. Franklin Fort who had headed a COM
mission to settle Dominican revolution.
had told the president that Minister
Sullivan was "big hearted freshman
and that there was nothing against
him." He declined TO express any opinion
as to sullivan's fitness for office. but
criticised Wick as ''sorehead."
Representative Hamlll told the COM
missioner he had never discussed sulli-
vans candidacy for the Dominican post
with w. c. Beer, John G. Gray or any
other representative OF the Jarvis inter-
ests. He had been an intimate friend of
Mr.. sullivan and gave him his support
as friend, he said.
= what was Done for Heer.
Mr.. HaHili added he had secured for
Mr. Beer two appointments to the naval
academy. one for Mr.. Beers son, who
failed to take advantage OF 1t. He said
he met Mr., Beer several time, but that
he had never discussed with Beer con-
tracts In the Dominican republic. ana had
never been present when money was de-
iivered by Beer TO any one. He said he
had never acted for the Jarvis interests
or the Banco Naeional as an attorney,
and had never benefited or sought to
benefit from his acquaintance with Mr.
Beer.
Representative HamilI declared that in
his acquaintance with Minister Sullivan
he had never seen anything that would
Justify statement that Sullivan was "a
heavy drinker."