The sun., 1918-10-12
M'NAMEE REMAINS
A DEMOCRATIC CHIEF
Made No Secret of His Interest
in Concern Eager for
War Contracts.
HE HELPS TO GET FUNDS
Letter Bearing Signature
Shows Connection With Ma
tiOnal Committee.

Edwin g. Harris has been supplanted
as chairman Of the Democratic State
committee because It appeared that he
had been particularly interested in the
contamination Of certain war contracts
with the Government in Washington.
But F. A. McNamee OF Albany, who
made no secret OF his interest in certain
corporations that hoped to do business
with the Government. Is still connected
with the Democratic National Commit
tee. Or at least a letter bearing date
as late as October 4 and signed IF. A
McNamee. financial chairman" asking
for campaign contributions has been re-
ceived by a business man OF this city,
who has turned 1t over to George A.
Glynn, chairman Of the Republican State
committee.
what purported to be certain letters and
memoranda concerning various con-
tracts. This IL an extract from letter
that the Globe declared had been sent by
Mr.. McNamee to c. l.. Gray Of the Gray
Construction Company in July:
II advanced $4,000 on the Camp Fun
stof contract. and you have not carried
It on your books. What did you do with
It? The equity of 10 per cent due Mr..
Harris you have also ignored"
stockholders I'm Concern.
Mr. McNamee appeared as one OF the
orga MIXERS OF the North and South Con-
struction Corporation in Albany, which
was organized, 1t was alleged. to take
over the work being done by the Gray
Construction Company. The stockhold-
ers Of record at the time of incorpora-
ton were Mr. McNamee. two shares !;
Mae NICE. Harris. two shares, and NJ. s.
Patton. one share. Letters were sent to
Washington indicating that the company
would like to get some shipbuilding con-
tracts.
Mr.. Harris declared that the company
never reached the stage of doing bust
ness and that he never had an interest
in 1t. He also declared that he had
never asked for nor received any in
terest in any contract or any reward for
assisting his friends to get them.
In connection with its publication OF
the letters the Globe said:
Mr.. McNamee. who was also shown
the story at fhe National Democratic
Club. insisted that although It had been
planned TO give Mr. Harris 10 per cent.
of the Camp Funston contract. that had
been an agreement between himself and
Mr.. Gray, entirely without the knowl-
edge and consent OF Mr.. Harris Mr..
McNamee also assumed entire RESPONSE
bility for the insertion OF the name of
Mrs. Harris in the Incorporation papers
OF the North and South Construction
Company. as director and stakeholder.
saying that this had been planned with
out consulting either Mr.. Harris or Mrs.
Il
frequent Journeys to Washington and
South Construction Company
From the letter head used in the re-
quest for funds. which bears the imprint
Of the Democratic National Committee.
with Finance Committee. F. A. Nc
Nance. Chairman" at the left, II might
be inferred that Mr.. McNamee was head
OF the finance committee OF the Ma
tional Committee. 1t Is understood,
however. that he is simply chairman OF
a special committee TO gather funds in
this State.
Letter signed by McNamee.
The letter reads:
Vance c. Mccormick. Chairman.
Wilbur w. Marsh, Treasurer.
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
COMMITTEE.
Permanent Headquarters.
429-4+l Woodward Building,
Washington, d. c.
Finance Committee. r. A. McNamee,
Chairman, GIT Fifth Avenue, New
York City.
W. n. Jameson, Assistant Treasurer
w. r. Hollister. Assistant Secre-
tary: Directors Permanent Organi-
zation.
October T. 1918