The sun., 1918-10-03
HARRIS DENIES ALL
CONTRACT JOBBING
Retiring State Democratic
Leader Says He Helped New
York Men Impartially.
ASKS LOYALTY TO PARTY
Quits Management of Cam
paign, but Refuses to Resign
Craftsmanship.

from the mana cement OF the Democratic
campaign because of the publication OF
| certain letters in regard TO war contracts
and who awaits the election Of his sue
cessor as chairman OF the State commit
| tee, declared last night he never had In
| terest In any contracts nor did he expect
TO ever receive a cent for his good Offices
IN putting in touch with Government ON
cials in Washington all sorts OF people
| with all sorts Of missions.
In regard to his present status, about
which there has been much speculation,
Mr.. Harris had this to say:
''In view OF the falsity. not to say alb
surdity, OF these suggestions which have
been made against me It may be well to
inquire why 1 retired from the cam
paign.
Il hold 1t to be the duty OF the person
who Is the leader OF a great political
party in the midst of a campaign " any
attack Is made upon him not for a mo-
ment to permit the truth or the falsity of
any statements to influence or to DO an
issue in the campaign. He should at
once stand aside and let the political
fight go on. and make his own separate
night In his own case. This did forth
with.
sticks to Chairmanship.
II have retired from the management
Of the campaign but have not retired
from the Craftsmanship for the reason
that have been advised that 1t might be
foolishly deemed to be an admission of
misconduct on my part or a confession
that i have been disqualified from ser
vice. But shall gladly receive notice of
the election OF a successor and will in
my own individual way do all can to
advance the interests of the great party
which have all my life served
Il hope that among my friends who
have learned to follow my leadership
there will not be a single one who by
reason Of the things that have occurred
and my withdrawal from the conduct of
the campaign will fail to give their full
est support to the ticket OF the party"
Declaring that he had advised and
assisted at least 1000 Republicans as
well as Democrats who wished to get In
touch with various officials In Washing
ton Chairman Harris added:
This Is the work every State chair
man of the dominant party does and
ought to do. 1t IL what have tried to
do all my life before was State chair
man. and I am proud Of It. II the
charge means that have attempted to
serve ono individual more than another.
or that have asked for the award Of
Government work to some particular in
dividual in preference to others, Il is
entirely without foundation
II have refused to assist any man to
do anything which would relieve him
from tho draft: I have refused to assist
any man to get commission except
upon his own personal merit: I never
introduced or recommended a man whom
/ did not believe to be thoroughly ca
pable of doing or fulfilling the contract
he wished to do. 1 have done every
thing for New York State and its citi-
Gems that my time permitted me to do"
Denies Contract Investments.
Asserting that he cav no difference
between investing ones money in a war
contract and In investing 1t in Bethle-
hem Steel or other stocks that have
benefited by war conditions. and that
he could not imagine why he would not
have the same right to invest money in
any other man not a public official might
have, the chairman added that neverthe-
less he has made no such investments.
II have never invested. never had any
interest and do not have any interest in
any firm or corporation doing Govern
ment work." he declared. IT have never
had the money TO invest and never have
had q desire to take the risk of a con-
tract, and find II easier 10 earn my liv-
ing in other ways.
'The other misapprehension is that I
have prohted through my services rem
dered to individuals or corporations.
have never received, asked or sought for
a single penny from any one of the thou
sands that have helped at Washington
during the past two years"
In regard to his relations with the
Gray Construction Company Mr.. Harris
said he submitted its name with num-
Der of others at the request OF the proper
officials as fitted to do work In this
State. They offered to compensate him
for his expenses, but he refused to ac-
cept. and did not receive anything what
ever.
Letter and Statements.
Mr.. Harris made no reference to the
statement his wife was one OF the incor-
porators Of the North and South Con-
struction Company and owned two-fifths
OF the stock, but he declared that he
himself refused TO take an interest IN
the company. This is what he has TO
say OF this venture:
'In the second place. stories were pub
lished about the North and South Con-
struction Company. 1t Is we'll known
that no influence or solicitation is neces-
sary to secure contracts to build ships
The Government has always been ready
to give contracts to any concern which
has the shipyard organization and cash.
I was asked to become interested in this
company. 1 declined. I vetoed and re-
pudisted the attempt to bring me in any
way Into this company long before any
publicity was given to the matter. The
company never got beyond incorpora-
ton. II was never organized for busi-
ness, never received contract and
never made any proft. / have had no
interest In II and have none now directly
or Indirectly Any purported letter or
statement OF mine which would show
any interest on my part Is a pure inven-
ton"
Although apparently ne Is tho only
official who can call the committee to-
gether. Mr.. Harris Is waiting for a re-
quest to do so from Judge J. Augustus
who is managing the campaign.
A call could be issued by twenty-five
members Of the committee, but this
would take some time.