Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-26
nation WIDE SCOPE WHITES STORY TOLD
Catholic Organization for Pro- Illinois Legislator Heard by
motion of Charity. the Lorimer Committee.
BUSINESS MEETING TODAY REPEATS TRIAL TESTIMONY
Assemble Swears He Promised 81 600 for
! Mcmahon Hall. His Vote
REPORTS FROM THE STATES SAYS BROWNE GAVE PROMISE
Organization
| of Relating
in United States to the Famous Jackpot"
Illinois Legislator Heard by
the Lorimer Committee.
REPEATS TRIAL TESTIMONY
Swears He Was Promised 81 900 for
His Vote.
SAYS BROWNE GAVE PROMISE
Clash of Attorneys Over the Intro
duction of Evidence Relating
to the Famous Jackpot"

CHICAGO, September 26.-State Repre-
sentative Charles G. White of O'Fal on,
ILL.,, was the first witness to take the
stand today in the investigation into the
election of United States Senator VIII
liam Lorimer by the senatorial subcom-
mittee on elections and privileges Six
of the seven members Of the committe
were present when Whites examinatio. 1
was begun by Attorney Austrian, repre-
senting the Chicago Tribune, which in
printing Whites story several months
ago brought on the investigation.
White, after giving his name and ad-
dress and saying he was a duly electe !
member Of the Illinois legislature identi-
fled letters he said had been sent to him
by Lee O'Neil Browne asking White S
help to establish Brownies position as
minority leader in the lower house OF
the legislature.
Whites Realtions With Browne.
The witness then began to tell of his
relations with Browne.
Senator Lorimer was on hand early
with his attorney, Elbridge Hanecy. At
torney P. H. O'DonnelL who represented
Browne in the latter's two trials on
charges of bribery, sat beside Attorney
Hanecy. Attorney Austrian and Clifford
w. Barnes of the Legislative Voters
League sat on the opposite side OF the
room.
Among those in the small clubroom Of
the Congress Hotel, where the hearings
are being held, were Mrs. ]. c. Burrows.
wife of the chairman of the committee;
Mrs. r. J. Gamble and Mrs. Joseph T..
Johnston, who are with their husbands.
Senators Gamble and Johnston Of the
committee. The room was crowded with
newspapermen and as many spectators
as could be seated.
After an executive session the hearing
opened and Chairman Burrows was in
formed that counsel had not agreed on
submission of the legislatures voting
record in lieu of summoning the house
cuerk. but would do SO shortly.
White Swears He Was Promised
Money.
Whites. on direct examination by At
torney Austrian, declared he had been
asked by Minority Leader Browne to
vote for Lorimer. and that Browne told
him he would receive 81 900 for his vote
The testimony Was the same as has been
given by White in the two trials of
Browne.
came when Attorney Austrian asked
what money was promised White The
representative replied: ..
Il asked Browne how much would get
from other sources and he replied, oh,
about as much more"
Senator Lorimer's attorney objected to
this answer, arguing that the "other
sources" were entirely OUTSIDE the case
The Celebrated Jackpot.
This brings up" he said. what has
been referred to as the Jackpot BY the
words OF the witness-'other sources'-it
is shown that 1t has no connection with
the election of Senator Lorimer."
To which Attorney Austrian replied:
I'VE claim that this line of testimony
Is relevant because we will show that
the democratic state senators and repre-
sentatives who voted for Senator Lorimer
voted FOR him as q part Of a system In
which their votes on other measures and
their vote for Senator Lorimer were CO.
related. We are trying to show there
was a general state of corruption In that
legislature and that men there were try
ing to bribe others
The committee retired into executive
session to consider the admissibility of
this line Of evidence.
Committees Decision Postponed.
The committee considered the admissi-
bility Of the Jackpot testimony for
some time in executive session, and upon
returning to the hearing room questioned
the witness concerning his understanding
of the promise Of money from other
sources.
White said he had heard Of rumors of
what was known as q Jackpot" which
was to be divided among legislators for.
''strangling or passing bills" White said:
ment-the $1,000 and my share Of the
jackpot"
Senator Gamble asked:
WAS the money from other sources
part of your promise to vote for Senator
Lorimer. or did it have an influence on
your voter
Il think it had an influence" replied
White.
Would you have voted for Senator
Lorimer but for that $1,OOO?" asked
Chairman Burrows.
Yes, I think I would have replied
White after some hesitation.
Senator Hepburn then asked the wit
ness:
This conversation you have related did
not mean to you that you would get any
more than the $1,000 for voting for Sena-
tor Lorimer?"
mo, 1 did not think So" was The
answer.
After a whispered conference with his
colleagues, Chairman Burrows announced
that the committee would give its ruling
later on the formal motion of Attorney
Hanecy, to exclude all testimony relat-
ing to the Jackpot"
Shortly thereafter the noon recess was
taken.