Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-08-05
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SENATOR CORES CHARGES.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

Mr.. Creager-"Nc, did not let it 60
so far as that. made my language
pretty emphatic that l was opposed to
the contracts and would not be influ-
enced."
Recalled to the stand Senator Gore
was asked to mention the name of the
employe of the department of justice
who had told him that another employe
or an official in that department was
interested in the contract.
THAT could not do" replied sena-
tor Gore. 1.-The matter was impaired
TO me in confidence and regret that
it was mentioned here at ALL"
Now senator" interposed Congress-
nan Campbell. don't you think it un-
fair to go as far before this committee
and yet not tell all you know? You
Know we are here to learn the truth
and we would like to have all cf II
made known?"
mo. l would rather not. It is well
known that heretofore employees of that
department have lost their positions fol
giving information and 1 would rather
that this feature of the investigation be
dropped"
E. p. Hill, an attorney for the Choc-
taw tribe Of Indians. then asked the
senator what he knew of President
Taft's attitude toward the McMurray
contracts.
II think Some people interested in the
contracts vert to see the President on
April 49," said the witness. "Tne Pres.
ident stated that Former Senator Long
had already submitted the matter to
him and that Mr.. Longs client, mean
ing the McMurray interests, might have
their day in court. I think the Presi-
dent said everybody might have his
day in court, but that it would take a
good deal of argument to convince him
that the amount of fees asked for ir
the contracts. s30O0,OOO, was just. In
fact. I think the President made il
plain he was opposed to the contracts .
References to invitations tc "Frogg
leg" banquets and to alleged assertions
by Hamon on MAY 6 that Senator Gore
IVES "going nack on mis- friends" wert
made in the testimony of D. F. Gore
private secretary of Senator Gore. Sen
ator Gore said that he was in his broth"
er's private Office on May when Ham.
on appeared.
and left the senator and Hamon alone
except that once in while l went in
and out. When they quit talking in
about 80 or 40 minutes, Hanion came
cut into my room.
Well he said, Dick, the senator is
getting awfully hard on his friends.
want to make a lot of money, Dick
and I don't care how make it,
Il did not know then what they had
been talking about but when Hamon
left the secretary said he had been talk
ing about the McMurray contracts and
Hamon had offered him $25,000.
'"The senator said Hamon offered to
increase the amount
Mr.. Hamon denied that he offered i
bribe TO Senator Gore or that he Offered
to give an interest in the McMurray
contracts. He also denied that he Of
fered to bribe Congressman Creager OF
offered him an interest in the McMur-
ray contracts. He further denied tina,
ne mentioned to Senator Gore or :o
anyone else that Vice President Sher-
man was interested in the approval OF
the McMurray contracts.
MuSkOSee, Okla., aug. 4.-Vlce
President Sherman was named by Sen
ator T. P Gore in connection with
what are known as the McMurray In
dian land contracts, an investigation
of which was begun here Thursday by
special committee of the House of
Representatives. Senator Gore. after
declaring that he had been approached
by Jacob Harmon with an offer of a
bribe of $25,000 to remove all congress
sional opposition to the contracts, as
serted that Harmon had said a man
higher up" in the government was
interested" in the contracts. Senator
Gore at first said he was reluctant to
name the man mentioned "higher up, -
but later on being pressed by Cong.
Burke, chairman OF the committee,
said Harmon had used the name of
Vice President Sherman.
when l scoffed at the offer of u
bribe even if it were raised to $4,000.
as Harmon suggested it might" tes-
titled Sen. Gore, my investor Ham
NOM at my office in Washington went
on to say that other members of Con-
gress were interested in the contracts
He said Sen. Curtis was interested and
S'OUS. MC6 ulTc OF OkldnOfnd was inter-
ested and until he mentioned the name
of a man higher up in the government,
| was appalled, when I heard that
name"
What was the name of the man
higher up?" asked Chairman Burke.
"Well," replied Sen. Gore, Il don't
like to say. Indeed. 1 could not repeat
without a great deal of reluctance"
Nov, Sen. Core exclaimed Mr..
Burke, this committee has come here
to get all the facts and we want you
to tell all you know"
well as that is the case" responded
Mr. Gore, Il will tell tell all 1 know
The man mentioned by Harmon as be-
ing higher up and interested in the
McMnrray contracts was Vice Pres
ident Sherman
No further questions were asked con-
cerning the mention of Vice President
Sherman.
On cross examination by c. B. Ames,
counsel for Mr.. McMurray, Sen. Gore
testified as to the relations existing
between himself and Harmon.
He said these relations had always
been extremely friendly and ne fire.
quently had business deals with Ham
mon, which entailed loans of money.
do you regard Harmon as truth
full man." asked Attorney Ames.