The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-13
INQUIRY BEGUN INTO
SULLIVAN CHARGES
Walker Whiting Wick Tcstifies
Regarding SantO Domingo
Minister.

The investigation ordered by President
Wilson into the appointment and conduct
in office of James Mark sullivan, Minister
to Santo Domingo. began yesterday after
noon at the Waldorf-Astoria under the
direction of the Presidents special commits
sioner. James d. Phelan, Senator-elect.
Walker Whiting Wick. formerly Ameri-
can receiver OF Dominican customs. now
assistant secretary of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee. was the only witness
He is the principal informant against Sui
Ivan and began his story of sinister In
nuences which he believes resulted In Sui
livan's appointment.
Charles H. Strong. president OF the
City club. sat with Commissioner Phelan.
as his counsel. and propoundcd most OF
the questions. The greater part of tho
session was taken up with reading into
the record letters and aiidaVits, on which
the investigation * based.
In substance Mr. Wick charges that
sullivan. unfit for the position, was put
over" as Minister by William G. Beer.
representing the BanCo Nacional of Santo
Domingo that sullivan, subsequent to his
appointment, accomplished the transfer OF
the deposits of the customs money tn
the Bsnco Nacional that Sullivan caused
the removal Of the American director OF
Dominican Public Works when he refused
to make a similar transfer OF the funds
of his department that Timothy ]. Sui
Ivan. cousin Of the Minister, got con-
struction contracts in Santo Domingo.
borrowing money from the Banco Ma
ciona with Minister Sullvan's lndorse-
ment, and that Sullivan was whitewashed
by Secretary Bryan
sullivan will not testify here. but as
soon as all the witnesses in this country
have been heard Commissioner Phelan
will 20 to Santo Domingo, where he will
continue the hearing.
H., ,,,,f,, sY,fa GIL
Ivan, which was read sullivan denied
each of the charges against him with
the exception of few regarding which
he said he had no knowledge.
Mr. Wick said he first met Sullivan
with william C. Beer in Frederick r.
Ryan's Office at IS broadway. Samuel
NJ Jarvis. who promoted the Banco Ma
cional, vas at that meeting, the witness
said. =
Tho witness then told OF charges OF
( conspiracy against the National City
Bank here to control Santo Domingo The
! National City Bank had been given a
! loan OF 81 $500, 900 for ten years at g. per
/ cent, he said. There no basis for
| the conspiracy charge. the witness be-
! lieved.
when Timothy j Sullivan came to
Santo Domingo he came as guest"
said Mr.. Wick Then | read in reliable
trade journals that he was TO head a
s2O,00O,O0O corporation.
81 am frank to admit" Wick continued,
that | was fooled for some time after
went to Santo Domingo. don't think
| the President ever knew Sullivan. |
think he appointed him on the recon-
mendation of the STATE Department, pre-
sumably OF Secretary Bryan. Mr.,
John h De Witt OF Nashville was a
candidate against Mr.. sullivan"
+. ]. r. Mitchell. president OF the
Banco Nacional. who Is now In Chicago
will be called as a witness. W. Lee Sis
son OF Mineola Is expected TO testify to-
day. The hearing will be continued in
room SIS. Waldorf-Astoria, at 80 p. NJ
to-day.