Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-14
ASSERTION OF WITNESS IN
NIEDRINGHAUS CASE
NEWSPAPER MAN TESTlFIES
c. {. Brockmeyer Of the Missouri
Star Declares AdoIph Busch
Contributed Large Checks
at Different Times
By Associated Press.

by ASSOCIATED fTesss
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 1S-The senate and
house committees Of the Missouri leg
islature appointed to investigate the
statement of campaign receipts and
expenditures filed by Chairman 7. X.
Niedringhaus of the Republican state
committee, and Republican caucus
nominee for United States senator, met
separately today. The hearings were
open to the public.
The closest investigation was directed
to the charge contained in the resolu-
tion of Representative Oliver Grace
that the $21,0 900 reported by Chairman
Niedringhaus in his own name was in
reality contributed by the brewery in
terests of st. Louis.
T. X. Niedringhaus appeared before
the house committee, which took re-
cess to enable him to frame reply to
the Grace resolution.
William P. Lightholder, deputy re-
corder of deeds, appeared before the
senate committee in answer to a sub
poena ordering him to produce GER
titled copy of the expense account filed
by the Republican state committee. He
took the original copy. which showed
$21, ,231, contributed by Neidringhaus.
The next largest sum was for $4,000.
credited to r. C. Kerens. The total
of the contributions was given as $57,-
4S3.75. The report was filed by 7. K.
Neidringhaus, acting treasurer.
C. f. Brockmeyer publisher of the
Missouri Star, who was clerk at the
Republican headquarters, gave testi-
mony relating to the charge that st.
Louis breweries contributed the $21,00o
which Chairman Niedringhaus credited
to himself in his report of the receipts
and expenditures of the campaign.
He testified that Adolphus Busch, a
prominent brewer, had given Med
ringhaus at one time before the elec-
ton check for $25OO, and at another
time $5000 and that he contributed
$4,000 after the election toward liquida-
tion of the deficit which existed
Chairman Niedringhaus told him, he
said, that Otto Stifel of the st. Louis
Brewery association had arranged to
contribute an amount equal to that
given by Busch.
Mr.. Niedringhaus made a complete
statement, denying the allegations
During the campaign, he said, the liza
bilities of the state committee had run
up to $31,0OO with no money in the
bank, and he was held personally re-
sponsible for the debt.
About this time" continued Mr..
Niedringhaus, Senator Fairbanks
came to st. Louis. and on the request
of Adolphus Busch, who is a personal
friend of the senator, a dinner was
arranged at Mr.. Busch's house, at
nois, Congressman Bartholdt of St.
Louis, Otto Stifel, Senator Fairbanks
and myself.
During the dinner L explained that
I had been refused contributions by
prominent Republicans and stated IF
l. Htiu pI0,UUU WOuiu 3 uetI dhtCC lledl tiic
state of Missouri would cast it's cleo
toral vote for Roosevelt and Fair
banks.
"Mr. Busch then said: L am willing
to join with yourself and Mr.. Stifel to
guarantee this $4,000. I will assume
half that guarantee if you and Mr..
Stifel will assume the other half.
"I Immediately announced that l as
sumed my share and Mr.. Stifel agreed. :"
In reply to a question Mr.. Niedring-
haus stated that he was under no OBJ
legations of any kind on account Of
this guarantee to use any influence
whatever to affect Legislation in Mis-
souri,.
Mr.. Niedringhaus further explained
that the deficiency of $31, 900 was re-
duced to $21, 900 by collections and that
the latter amount was taken care of in
connection with the agreement between
himself, Busch and Stifel.
Mr. Niedringhaus stated to the COM
mittee that he did not. consider the
$25, 900 pledged by Busch, Stifel and
himself in the light OF contribution
to the state campaign fund, as had
the money been later secured from
other sources it would have been re-
funded TO them