New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-05
Drew Disc!Oses
Financial Deals
I'm Press Club
Former Official Admits He
Had Been Paid Money by
" ohliman in ''Apprcia-
ton Of His Services
Did Not Pay for Rooms
Liberty Bond Deposit of
SIS, 900 Kept in Jersey
Bank in His Own Name

Edward ". Drew, vice-president of
the New York Press Club and chairman
OF its board OF trustees during the
Two years enGed December, 1920, tes.i-
hed yesterday that John J. Wholtman.
VINO was under contract with the CLUB
TO sohct subscriptions, had paid him
sums Of money "ouJ Of generosity and
N appreciation Of his service" Drew
further admitted that he had occupied
rooms in the club and received re-
treshmcnt without payment while he
was an officer.
His testimony was given at 20 Maiden
Lane before former Supreme Court
Justice Peter A. Hendrick, who was
appointed referee, to take evidence in
the proceeding brought by active news
paper men members of the club in
which the officers Of the club are
charged with misrepresentation of funds.
contract between the club and John J.
Wohltman was produced in evidence
1T shows that Wohltman was to receive
90 per cent of the proceeds of his
solicitation, and the club 40 per cent
Ahe contract also shows that its terms
were 20 be enforced by a committee
or supervision, OF which Drew adj
mitte5 he was q member during the
period Of his Office. He had previously
testified Wohltman lad collected more
than $4,000 during the two wears
he, Drew, was in Office.
Could Not Rem ember Amounts
The admission thst he had received
sums of money from Wohltman came
from the witness only after he had
been pressed severely BY II. Francis
Dyruf counsel for the petitioners
questioned as to the amounts ne had
received, Mr.. Drew said he could not
remember. He was asked whether the
paym enrs had been made while he was
3 member OF the committee of super
vision over the Wohltman contract.
and while he and the other members
OF the committee were acting for the
club, and ne replied in the affirmative.
AT this point MIR. Drew complained
that the newspapers would put 4 wrong
impression upon his testimony because
OF the manner IN which the questions
were framed.
But you received these sums or
money given by the generosity Of Mr..
Wohltman while you were an officer of
the Tub, did you not?" asked Mr.. by
ruff The witness replied he had.
During this testimony Nj. Drew tried
TO explain that he had been paid sums
of money by Wohltman for expenses
ne had incurred, and which could not
properly be charged to the club. but
when ne was asked what the expenses
were his memory became nazy.
Another important admission made
by Mr.. Drew was to the effect that
$4,000 in Victory bonds deposited
with the club by John j. Wohltman as
a guaranty Of good faith had been
kept in the private vault of Drew in a
Jersey City bank under the names of
himself and his wife.
Sale of Club Considered
It was also brought out from Mr..
Drew's testimony that an attempt had
been made to sell the club property,
and that CORTLAND Smith, a member
of the clubs board of trustees, had out
in an offer of between 100000 and
S250,000 for it, Mr.. Drew testified that,
so far as he knew the club members
had not been consulted about it,
AT the conclusion of the hearing
Mr.. Drew issued the following state
ment:
"The examination so far is likely to
convey wrong impression of affairs
in the Press Club. The questions
asked by counsel for the faction which
attacks the management often call for
answers that, standing alone and with
out qualification, rnisrepresent actual
conditions. Perfectly proper and limo
cent incidents are brought out in a
wey which may indicate something
ALL
The hearing will be continued this
afternoon