New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-08-18

concerned with politics IN Germany
or in this country He refused to re-
ceive reporters yesterday.
Jerome's Name Mentioned.
A third phase of the revelations this
morning deal with negotiations that
were carried on between William
Travers Jerome, former district at
torney, and Arthur Won Briesen, one
of the best known German-American
citizens. The letter written by Mr..
Jerome to Mr.. Won Briesen after the
latter had consulted him points out
that Mr.. Jerome would need a re-
tainer Of $4,000 and $4,000 for ex-
penses because the matter could not
be intrusted to "agents or the ordi-
nary type Of private detectives"
Mr.. Won Briessen, VINO served in
the American Civil war, resigned last
winter as president OF the Legal Aid
society because of criticism of his
German name He served once as
commissioner to investigate Ellis
Island and having appointed by
Colonel Roosevelt, Of whom Mr.. Won
Rriesen was a great acmlrer The
letter of Mr.. jerome follows:
No. 81 Wall street, New York, June
~, 1915.
Arthur Won Briesen, Esq. No. %
Broad street. New York City.
NV Dear Won Briesen: Since I saw
Won this morning I have conferred
with nv partners in regard to the
matter that we discussed. 1t would
be a great pleasure for me to under
take this business not only because
NV inclination would coincide with
my professional duty, but because the
employment would be to 40 what re-
gardless of any legal question in
volved, I considered to be right
Very MucI, Labor.
The contemplated business, is how
ever, one which If done correctly
would require very much labor and a
very considerable expenditure Of
money, in order to get at the facts
necessary to properly present our
cause. The selection Of agents to
conduct these Investigations would be
& difficult matter. They could not, Of
course, be or the ordinary type of
private detectives, and we might from
time to time, and undoubtedly would
have to expend considerable sums in
order to obtain desired information.
No one, of course, would DE assured
of success in the matter. SO that in adj
very well have to meet discouraging
situation, having failed to accomplish
the end in view.
The matter is so grave IN its char
acter that 1 should be unwilling to
undertake 1t without devoting my best
efforts to make it a success, and it
would be necessary that I not only
myself give it close personal atten-
ton, but I should want my partner
Mr.. Rand and, to a certain extent,
my partner Mr.. Kresel to be as &C
tive in the matter as I myself would
be. In other words l don't want to
the job without doing
everything humanity possible to make
it successful. Under these circum-
stances I feel that we should have a
fund in hand to draw on
for expenses, and / think that fund
should not be less than $4,000.
So far as the compensation of my
self and associates in this matter is
concerned l think that we should
have retaining fee Of $4,000, and
that our ultimate compensation
should, of course. depend upon the
various clements that go to make up
a lawyers proper and reasonable
charge.
To sum up, 1 should be glad to I'M
dertake the work and give it my best
attention for a retaining fee of $10,-
900 provided that I receive assurances
that there will be funds for expenses
up to the amount Of $4,000.
Leaves for Connecticut.
+ leave this afternoon for Washing
ton on a matter of business, and from
there go to my place in Connecticut.
I will not return to New York until
a week from next Monday. Should
you have reached a decision to employ
me in this matter before that time
you may communicate with my office
and they will know where to get me
and l can return to the city. With
best regards, I remain, very sincerely
yours,
WILLIAM TRAVERS JEROME.
There is much mystery as to who is
the head Of the German secret agents
in this country. 1t has been said that
Capt. Boy-Ed, naval attache to the
German embassy, had charge of the
work. but that never has been proved,
though some of the revelations re-
garding the issuing OF passports to
German American citizens are said to
have led in his direction.
Silence prevailed yesterday among
so-called German representatives
whose names have been mentioned in
the secret correspondence. Count Won
Bernstorff caused it to be announced
that he would make no statement
now. 1t is likely that when, the revela-
lions are ended he will have some
thing to say.
Shwcitzer May Issue Statement.
Hugo Shweitzer, a German Ameri-
can chemist who signed contract
for supply of phenol from the
American oil and Supply company.
said he might iSSue statement tn i.