Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-20
HAD INCOMPETENCE In THEIRAUfHORS
Cross-Examined by the Senate
Committee.
FRANK CORBETT'S DENIALS

his bank. He had not only destroyed his
checks, but also the check STUBS but was
confident that the showing made was cor
rect. He had destroyed the checks in
this instance as he was in the habit of do
ing about every six months, and not be-
cause he felt there was any especial rea-
son for getting rid of them at this time.
In reply to questions, Mr.. Clark said, so
far as he knew, the committee acting in
his behalf in the campaign had not filed
any statement of expenditures, as required
by the Montana election law He had
made none. He had not considered him
self candidate when the members Of the
legislature We're elected. Money supplied
by him later was for the purpose of pay
ing expenses already incurred and not as
a senatorial candidate.
Where did your son get the 500 600 he
paid during the session of the legislature?''
Il presume he checked on his own ac-
count but | don't know
What explanation did Mr.. Welcome
make when he made his demand upon YOU
for S15,0OO?''
He said, as well as 1 remember, that he
mad drawn upon his own account. He will,
however, be able to tell you about that
required no detailed statement from him.
feeling confident the expenditure was made
In legitimate way"
Did Not Ask About Reports.
Asked about the reports that his son had
bought large amount of property from
State Senator Warren, Mr.. Clark said he
had made no inquiry of him, because he
was thoroughly convinced that the reports
were untruA.
Il asked neither him nor Welcome nor
Bickford nor Davidson nor Steele nor any
OF these men in regard to any of the re-
ports of bribery, because I was sure they
were absolutely false he said ''The
m httr man tn -Ip,,, 7 ! 4
no confidence and they went into one ear
and out of the other"
His son was, he said, in the habit of con-
Quoting his own business affairs without
consulting him, and as for the charges of
bribery in connection with the transaction
he did not believe them: hence he had made
no inquiry and did not know that the $1,000
paid for this property had come out of any
of the money furnished by him in connec-
tion with the campaign.
DIR. Ector's Letters.
Referring 10 one of DR.. Ector's letters
concerning Representative Woods, Mr..
Clark said that he understood that Mr.
Woods was a good-natured man and liable
to be Influenced by those who saw him first
He did not believe that he was seeking or
would take a bribe. He believed, however,
that DIR. Ector himself was intimating that
he wanted pecuniary remuneration for
himself. He said, however, that he had
it to Mr.. Bickford.
This latter remark aroused the interest
of Senator Hoar. who asked a number of
questions showing incredulity in the mat
ter, but Mr.. Clark insisted that he did not
know Mr.. Ector, and that he had given
very little attention to the letter, notwith-
standing 1t related to the vote of member
of the legislature.
Mr.. Campbell asked Mr.. Clark about the
purchase of ex-senator Powers stock In
the Fergus County Bank. in which State
Senator Hobson, chairman of the republi-
can caucus of the Montana legislature, is
a partner.
Mr. Clark said he had understood after
his election as senator that Senator Powers
was incensed at Hobson for voting for him
Clark. and had told Hobson that he must
find purchaser for his (POwersO stock, of
which he owned 400 shares. The senator
said he had investigated the matter, finding
the stock to be dividendpaying. and had
told Mr.. Powers that he would take 1t, pro-
v:ded it was offered at par. This offer was
made later, after he had gone to Europe,
and Mr.. Johnson, cashier of the Clark
Bros bank had consummated the trade,
paying SAG, 900 for the stock on his account.
Mr.. Clark also testified concerning the
loan of $4,000 made by him to the Ross
Dyer Mercantile Company. but said. so far
as he knew, this firm had no connection
with State Senator Hanna
Wanted to See Clark's Account.
At this juncture Mr.. Campbell asked Mr.
Clark to submit his account books showing
his expenditures since the beginning of the
campaign in Montana.
Mr.. Faulkner objected. He said Mr. Clark
had made showing of all his political ex-
penditures. and that he was not bound to
expose his personal and business expendi-
lures.
The question was raised in connection
with correction made by Mr.. Clark of his
testimony OF yesterday concerning the date
of his presentation of 5000 to State Repre-
sentative Day. He said that instead of
doing this on February 1 he mad done It on
March 1. The prosecution contend ed that If
one mistake had been made others were
likely to have been.
Mr.. Campbell said that all the prosecu-
ton asked was that the committee or some
one appointed by the COMMITTEES should
have the opportunity Of examining the
books. The prosecution had no desire to
pry into his private accounts or to be pres
ent at the examination.
Denial by Frank COrbett.
No decision was reached at the time and
Senator Clark was temporarily excused to
permit Mr.. Frank Corbett to be heard con-
cerning incidents growing out of his visit
to Helena on a special train In connection
with c. w. Clark and Mr.. Whitemore on
August 8 last. He said he had not at that
time known DIR. Treacey, never having been
introduced to him until early in November
Of last year.
Senator Turley asked why it had been
necessary to take a special train to Helena
on August in connection with the Well
come disbarment case. Gould not the BUSH
ness of comforting with the Helena attor-
neys have been transacted over the tele-
phone?" he asked.
Mr. Corbett replied that in consultations
concerning this case the telephone wires
had never been used. Information had
come to him that Welcomes Helena at-
torney had said he did not mean to file an
answer He had told Charley Clark that
the matter was serious and important
one and should he attended to.
'"The trip was made for that purpose. ;"
said Mr. Corbett, 'and the idea that 7 baa
anything to do with bribing the supreme
court is simply insane"
He declared he had received no message
from J. s. M. NeiIl to come to Helena he.
cause of the possibility of doing business
with the supreme court" and explained nj
length a mortgage held by him for Mr
Clark against Mr.. Neill.
Senator Faulkner asked: Having read