Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-04-26
Judge Parker Enjoyed ihe Harm in a
Letter

i
/ ALBANY Disp itch in New York World
No man in the United States better
enjoyed the reading of Mr. Hartman s
remarkable letter to Sidney Webster
than Alton 3. Parker, former Chief
Judge of the Court of Appeals and
Democratic candidate for President in
1904. Judge Parker appeared in the
Court of Appeals this afternoon to
argue a case. He was seen there by the
/ World correspondent and asked what
/ be thought of Mr.. Harriman's amaz-
/ ing disclosures concerning contribu-
lions by corporations to the Roose-
| welt campaign fund during the last
national contest.
YES he commented, "Mr. Harri-
mans letter is in measure a conEr-
nation of my statements made during
the campaign. However, L have not
| fully digested the matter and do not
know whether l will say anything
about it or nol.n
Late this evening Judge Parker is
sued the following statement:
"That S150,000 was turned over by
the Equitable, Mutual and New York
Insurance Companies to Mr.. Cortel-
you's committee has never been de-
MED, of course. 1t was testified to under
oath before a body who would have
summoned Mr.. Bliss and Mr.. Cortel-
, you to the witness stand if it had been
,, denied.
1t is safe to deny Mr.. Harriman's
statement because there is not a COM
mittee before whom Mr.. Bliss and Mr..
Cortelyou and others can be sum-
moned and compelled to testify. Con-
gress has refused to make an investi-
CATION of the corporate contributions
in the future.
"The moneys raised by Mr.. Harri-
man and contributed by the Life In
surance Companies, aggregating $780,
600. was but;a drop in the bucket COM
pared with the total contributions by
railroads aud other great corporations
The public Importance of an investiga-
ton at this time, therefore, cannot be
everestimated. One of the questions
now pressing for solution is whether
Federal Governmental control over
railroads and other great corporations
shall be further extended. 1t will
help to solve that problem rightly to
learn that Governmental power in the
past has been used for political pur-
poses, used to raise money to cont nue.
an existing Administration.
"The proof that it has been so used
will make it perfectly clear to every
mind that it can be used again, aye,
that it will continue to be used so Ion z
as politics and business can be made
mutually helpful to each other.
Possession by the public sf that
knowledge and the necessary deduc-
lions therefrom will inevitably lead to
attempts to surround such power as
absolutely necessary safeguards against
political abuse of it. So far no effort
has been made because the people have
not appreciated the necessity of it.
That they may do SO, an investigation
should be had that will bring out the
whole truth 1t will help many to see
quite clearly what is now hidden, viz,
the ultimate purpose of some of those
who seek in the name of reform to
strip the States of power that it may
be centred at Washington"
In discussing the matter with some
friends this evening, Judge Parker
evidenced the fact that he had been
fully informed of the Hartman dis
closures several months ago.He made
up his mind, he said, however, not tc
discuss it until.th right time should
come.
Judge Parker intimated that when
he made his declaration a few days
before the last Presidential election
that certain corpora 10 is had been
compelled to. contribute to the Roose-
welt campaign fund he was cognizant
of Mr.. Harriman's undertaking to
raise $3.50, 200 to be used in the State OF
New York. The evidence of this con.
tribution came to him from personal
FREUD, but in such a manner as te
preclude the possibility of his getting
indisputable proof of it.
CIR andpn