The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-13
NELSON ALSO DENIES
He COntradicts Mr.. HIPS Statement
Relative to Solicitation.

.s.. 81. "A. nelson, state 41OTdr4dIl, WIS
charged by Mr.. Dunn with having
been Judge Collins agent in soliciting
campaign contributions from Hr. Hill.
Mr.. Nelson has been writing some let
tiers himself and supplements Judge
Collins foregoing statement with the
following:
Immediately on learning that Mr.. Dunn,
in speech at Minneapolis on May 6,
accused me Of having called on James j.
Hill and asked him to- contribute $25. 900
to Judge Collins campaign fund, and that
he gave Mr.. Hill as authority, wrote Mr.
Htn asking HIM to state swhether he had
authorized such statefrfht and whether
it. was true, Il never expected anything
but a fiat denial from Mr.. Hill, but in
nv haste I overlooked the well-known
mutual obligations and ,sympathies exist
Ing between him and Mr.. Dunn. Mr..
Hill in his letter to me makes two posi-
tive statements--on that I called at his
office and spoke to him about some
farmers coming to visit the state agri-
cultural farm and the other, that he
has always tried to avoid any connection
with state politics. The former state
ment Is true, but the latter will make
some people choke If they must believe 1T.
According to Mr.. Dunn's statement as
to Mr.. Hills street corner talk, It would
appear that Mr.. Hill has been interested
in politics to the extent OF hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars during the past few
years. It is evident that some one is
forgetting to tell the truth.
His statements as concerns my having
solicited $4,000 for Judge Collins cam
paign fund, or that I named such sum
as being necessary for his campaign. is
Indefinite, and 1t seems that Mr.. Hills
usually excellent memory has played him
convenient prank. On this statement
I beg to radically differ from Mr.. Hill.
At the interview referred to, carried on
standing In the public reception room Of
his office, within easy sight and hearing
OF office employees and visitors, only mere
mention of Judge Collins candidacy was
made, and no sum Of money whatsoever
was mentioned. When see Mr.. Hill
about contributions to any ones cam
paign fund I'll see him comfortably sit
ting down in his private office.
The following is Mr.. Hills letter:
Dear Sir: beg to acknowledge your letter Of
this date, and in reply desire to call your at.
my office some time during the past winter You
spoke about, some farmers coming to the state
agricultural farm: and then asked me u NAG az
enough interest in the election OF governor OF
the state to contribute $4,000 or 1000 to q
campaign fund II Judge Collins could be nomi-
mated, or that with that sum he could be nom1-
mated. replied that / did not desire to inter-
fere in state politics; that my interests in the
matter only went so far as to hope good man
would be nominated and that would not un-
dertake to furnish that or any other sum OF
money for the purpose requested This, think,
you will recall, is substantially what occurred.
For some time past there has been a determt-
nation to make political issue in the state Of
myself and my work, and while what have
done in the state is matter of public record for
the past quarter of a century, have always
tried to avoid any connection with state politics.
Yours truly, James J. HILL
I SreIterate my former statement that
neither Judge Collins nor his advisers ever
asked me to solicit funds from Mr.. Hill
or the Great Northern, nor ever men,
toned esuch q thing in my hearing. I
have not at any time asked Mr.. Hill
for money for Judge Collins campaign
nor suggested his contribution or support
in any form. 81. A. Nelson.
Mr.. Nelson says he did not seek
the interview with Mr.. Hill. He had
written In behalf Of claim filed by
q neighbor In Kittson county, and also
about some special rates for a delega-
ton Of farmers seeking to visit the
state agricultural school. Word was
sent him from the Great Northern
offices that Mr.. It'll wanted to see
him. He was advised by friends not
to 20, but went ahead, being careful,
however, to talk only In the outer
office, in the presence OF several em-
At the Dunn headquarters to-day
nothing was given out. It was said
that Mr. Dunn had gone to Mfnne-
apolis and Mr.. Heatwole to North
field.