The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-30
BECKEMEYER TELLS
OF BRIBERY MONEY

Chicago, September 29.-Representa-
tive H. j. c. Beckemeyer on the wit
ness stand today before the Lorimer
investigating committee, testified that
he received $1,000 after he had voted
for Senator Lorimer and that the money
was paid to him because of his vote
for the junior senator from Illinois.
Beckemeyer was the third legislator
in this hearing to declare that he was
given money for his vote in the SEN
atorial election. Representative White
and State Senator Holstlaw being the
others. Counsel for Senator Lorimer
brought out in cross-eXamination that
Beckemeyers vote fol- Senator Lori
mer was not induced by the promise
of any payment. Beckemeyer, who has
been a witness in both the trials of
Minority Leader Browne, testified that
the $1,000 was paid to him by Browne,
who said when he gave the witness a
roll of bills, Here is the Lorimer
money!
Senator Frazier of Tennessee short
ly before Beckemeyer left the stand
questioned him closely on all the Incl
dents the witness had testified to and
Beckemeyer in response to the sena-
. IOTldl quiz QeCIdJeu llidt Pm Ot ~ fOtii6
for Senator Lorimer he had not had
any conversation with Browne or any
one in which anything was said about
receiving any benefit fer his vote for
Senator Lorimer that he had never had
any dealings with Browne which would
call for the payment of the money
which he said was given him by
Browne and that he took the money
and used 1t for his own (Beckemeyer's)
benefit and never gave 1t back.
Il understood when l got the money
that it was for my vote for Senator
Lorimer," said the witness.
On cross-examination, Beckmeyer was
questioned about conversations he had
with Representative Michael Link, an
other democratic legislator, who voted
for Senator Lormer, and who is expect
ed to be a witness before the committee
tomorrow In one of these conversations
Beckmeyer testified that Link said to
min, my testimony does not fit with
yours. l promised to vote for Senator
Lorimer long before the election and
did not receive any money for it."
Details of what occurred while the wit
ness was in company of an officer from
the states attorneys office the day he
first went before the grand jury in Chi
cago was related
On direct examination Beckemeyer
said he testified only once before the
grand jury regarding the $1,000 which he
said was given him by Browne, and that
later he explained but did not change
his testimony, and that 1t was the same
as he today told to the investigating
committee.
Many of the questions of the counsel
related to Beckemeyer being in the GUS
tody of an officer of the states attorneys
office for long period AND Senator Hey
burn expressed surprise.
"Can it be possible" said the senator,
that there is a law which authorizes
an officer 70 keep a man In custody with
out any charge or indictment against
him?"
Attorney Hanecy declared there was no
such law and said he was prepared to
argue that the witness had been under
duress. In response to later question
from Attorney Austrian, Beckemeyer said
he was in custody partly at his own re-
quest as he had told the states attorney
he would like to have some one to pro-
tect him, and he did not consider himhelf
under duress or restraint