The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-06

| the testimony of all of the witnesses
who have preceded. You have branded
the assertions of the senator, his broth
er, his clerk and the congressman as
icing absolutely false. 1t would appear
from your denials that a conspiracy
had been entered into grossly to mis-
represent you. How do You account for
that?"
That's beyond my power to conjec-
trre," replied Hanon. Il never had
che penny's worth Of interest in the
McMurray, contracts and never offered
a bribe to anyone.
'It is barely possible that 1 did see
Senator Gore on May last when he
says the offer of a bribe was made. 1
saw him frequently, but at this time I
, believe he took me up into the library
of the senate and closed the door. He
wanted to talk over with me his COM
ing campaign and see how [ could help
him out financially. Although 1 am
Republican and he a Democrat l was
in the habit of helping him OUT
"You and Seantor Gore had been
good friends, had you not ?" asked
Chairman Burke.
Eyes, L had known him as a friend
for about nine years and had business
dealings with him.
Asked to explain some of his bus
ness dealings, Hamon said several
years ago at Lawton, Okla, when the
government decided to sell at public
auction some lands belonging to the
Indians, Senator Gore and others en-
tered into combine not to bid against
each other so the property might be
obtained cheaply. All of them secured
some of the land, he said.
Chairman Burke: Don't you know
that there is a federal statute against
a combine to prevent competitive bid
ding?"
Hamon: -ssI did not know of that
! law then, but I have since thought of
it. 1t was just a desire on the part of
q IT nf tO ri 10 nj q c
possible. 1t was understood that we
would not bid against the other
Congressman Miller: You knew
that the proceeds from that sale were
to go to the Indians. Do you think
that was honorable toward the In
dians?"
Hamon: 1--WE did not look at it that
way. In fact. we don't do things out
west just in the same way you do in
the east
In some of his business transactions
with Senator Gore, Hamon testified,
money loans were involved. Just be-
fore congress adjourned" said Hamon,
''the senator came to me and said he
had to pay $4,000 which he owed to
Senator Owen. He had $1,000 of the
cash and he wanted me to raise the
other $4,000 for him from a client of
mine"
Explaining what he was doing in
Washington at the time when Senator
Gore said he was offering bribes,
Hamon said he was attending, among
other things, to the interests of Gov
ernor G. n. Haskell of Oklahoma, who
was under federal Indictment in the
Muskogee town lot cases. Senator Gore
had introduced a resolution asking
that the committee which had been
appointed to investigate the third
degree methods practiced in various
parts of the country be also empow-
cred to investigate the circumstances
leading up to the indictment of Gov
ernor Haskell.
More evidence from Senator Gore
probably will be heard. The senator
announced he intended to accompany
the committee to McAlester. where
sessions will be held Monday.
Detailing the plans of the investi-
eating committee, Chairman Burke
said:
Under the house resolution order
ing the investigation, the committee
is empowered to investigate not only
the McMurray, but all contracts made
with the Indians of what are known
as the Five Civilized Tribes in this
state. Almost each tribe has con-
tract with an attorney. For instance,
one attorney with headquarters in
New York receives a salary of $12,000
year. Such a contract is made with
the Indians and approved by the gov
ernment. 1t shall be our purpose to
Investigate the conditions behind all
contracts.
"In regard to the Gore bribery
charges. we are also expected to gather
all available data and if possible to
come to some conclusion so that our
findings may be of use to congress. So
far as any action in the bribery mat
ter is concerned, that, of course, would
be a question for the federal grand
jury to take up. Our investigation
could be of use only in suggesting leg
islation.
days longer in this state visiting any
section where information is to be
had