New Britain herald., 1915-01-22
WITNESSES PRAISE
 MINISTER SULLIVAN
'big Hearted, Good N1tued, Honest
 |Tisha1n," Says Fort.

New York, Jan. 22.-James M. Sul- liNan, American minister to the Do- mfn1can Republic, was described yes terday as "a big-hearted, good-na- tured, honest Irishman," by Ex-Gov- ernor J. Franklin Fort of New Jersey; as a man "actuated by high purposes" by John c. Gray of Wilmington, Del, and '1as a man good enough for San Domingo" by James K. Mcclure. for mer mayor of Syracuse. All three were witnesses at the inquiry by Sem ator-elect Phelan of California into the fitness of the minister to hold his post.
 = Mcclure. one of Sullivan's endorsers for tho position, said he went to San Domingo to seek contracts from the government after Sullivan was ap- pointed. and was "perfectly frank to say that the fact that Sullivan was minister to San Domingo influenced him in going there" and that a kind word from Sullivan" would have helped him in his negotiations with
 
 tracts. however, he said, on account of . change in the ministry
 Forts Impression Favorable.
 Ex-Governor Fort, who headed a commission which last summer att Tempted to compose the difference be- tween the Bordas government and the revolutionists in San Domingo, said he had made an informal inquiry there into Minister Sullivan's conduct after certain rumors had been brought to his attention, but that on the whole his impression of the minister was favorable. He said he knew nothing against him except carelessness in his personal attire which he added. was not in evidence on public occasions.
 John G. Gray was frank to admit that he had recommended Sullivan for the post to Secretary of State Bryan, but denied that at the time he knew anybody that was interested financially in San Domingo, or that he had any selfish purposes in recom- mending him in connection with ob taining public contracts on the island. Grays name has been mentioned as associated with William c. Beer. at- torney for Banco Nacional interests of San Domingo, who have been ac- cused of seeking to exploit the island Nnd to have prom oted Sullivan's ap- pointment as minister in furthefance of that purpose.
 Represented Banco Nacional.
 Gray said he did not know at the time that Beer had any interest in Sullivan's appointment. He admitted he had since had business relations with Beer, but not in relation to San Domingo matters, he said. He also admitted he had in the spring of 1914 represented the Banco Nacional at the war department, when the banking institution was lin very uncom- fortable position'' as the result of losing the privilege of acting as de- positary for Dominian customs re- ceipts. It was the granting of this privilige by Minister Sullivan that has been criticised before the commission X. II would like to say,' volunteered the witness, that when I recom- mended Sullivan, I didn't know a sin gle individual doing business in San Domingo or expecting to do business \here."
 Pt;ray told of having taken Beer and Dsamuel M. Jarvis who controlled the Banco Nacional, to see Secretary Bryan on the subject of a loan to Nicaragua, where Jarvis also had in- terests. The witness said he thought it was very commendable of Jarvis to want the secretary's approval in the matter. Nothing resulted from the loan, however.
 Acquaintance With Bryan.
 Senator elect Phe1an wanted to know how intimate the witness was with Secretary Bryan. He replied he would not call his relations intimate, but that he was glad to be called the secretarys friend, and that he had entertained him at his home in Wilmington. He said he had recom- mended Sullivan at the instance of Irish American organizations in : Wilmington.
 He put into evidence two letters from Sullivan, which indicated his