Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-05
HAMON DENIES ALL
EFFORTS TO bR|bE
Brands as False Story Told by
Senator Gore on the Wit
ness Stand.
NO INTEREST, HE SAYS,
IN McMURRAY'S CLAIMS
Representative Creager Says He
Was Offered Interest"
NO CALL ON VICE PRESIDENT
Chairman Burke Says Sherman VIII
Not Be Called-Issues Denial
From Summer Camp.

MCSkOGEE. Okla. August S.-Jaks I.
fiamon, accused bp Senator T. p. Gore
with having offered him a twenty five
thousand-dollar bribe TO influence legtsla-
tion In Congress for the sale of Oklahoma
lndlan lands, took the stand before the
congressional investigating committee to-
day.
Hamon entered a general denial Of SEN
ator Cores charges that he offered tho
senator $4,000 or any other amount to
put through" the thirty-million-do dollar
land deal. He denied being himself inter
ested in the McMurray contracts, and
said he was In Washington in the inter-
est Of Gov. c. n. Haskell OF Oklahoma.
He also denied ever Offering Representa-
tive c. F. Creager an interest" in the
deal.
Had Loaned Gore Money.
Hamon described himself as an attorney
at Lawton, Okla, the home town Of Sena-
tor Gore. He said he had known Senator
Gore for nine years and had loaned him
money In business transactions.
Did you tell Senator Gore that You
were ready to pay him $4,000 or $780,
600, and the money would not be
marked, and there would be no checks.
but that the money would be clean,
hard cash?"
Il never made such an offer.'
Did you ever mention to Senator
Gore that Vice President Sherman,
Senator Curtis. former Senator Long
or former Senator Thurston were in
terested in the McMurray contraetsr
i never did. 1 was at Washington
In the interest Of some Indian trades
at a fee of $50 day and expenses, An
the interest Of Gov. Haskell in the
Muskogee town lot cases.
Telegram Not From McMurray.
After making a general denial OF eenA-
tor Cores charges Mr.. Hamon related the
circumstances OF his visit to Washington
and the reason for his being there Gay
4 last, when Senator Gore alleges the
offer Of bribery took place in the ssna
tors private office.
The witness said he had intended to
leave Washington several days previously.
but that he received a telegram from
Gov. haskell'S attorney to remain. That
was the telegram, he said, which Senator
+. McMurray and which. as the senator
declared, prompted the hurried conferUaoe
and the offer OF bribery.
AS a matter of fact. said Mr.. Hamon.
he had not seen MIR. McMurray for n
year previously.
Witness said he occupied part OF the
apartment Of Representative Mcclure OF
Oklahoma, but that Mcclure paid the
hotel bill.
did you visit Senator Gore on May
81" Chairman Burke asked.
Il think l did. l called on him almost
every day and discussed my affairs with
him. / told him 1 was In town to take
care OF Gov. Haskells affairs relative to
the indictment of the governor In the
Muskogee town lot cases. The senator
apparently was unfriendly to the gov
ernor.'
Says Gore Closed Doors.
Now you heard the testimony of Sena-
tor Gore yesterday In which he accused
you of offering him $25,O or $JO0O0 In
connection with the McMurray contracts.
You heard him say that he was told hy
you that that much money would bs
available to him IL he removed hts oppo-
sltion to congressional approval. and the
money would not be marked. What hsvS
you " cay 10 tHSSe Cn6T86S
There is absolutely no truth In them.
l never discussed the McMurray con-
tracts with him at all. Senator Gore ask
ed me IL ! knew McMurray. / said 1 did.
and he was man OF high standing.
Well said the senator, 'McMurray has
been making me some trouble
That is all that was said. On another
occasion the senator took me into the
Senate library and closed all the doors
SO that we could be alone. don't know
the fnr nnfhfnO aath thai
properly could not have been overheard
by any one. / did talk with the senator
about Indian affairs, but they were minor
matters, in which l was interested. and
which had nothing to do with McMuY-
ray"
Chairman Burke of the investigating
committee authorized a statement that
Vice President Sherman would not bs
summoned to appear before the com
mittee. 1t was stated that no evidence
had been introduced to show that M
Sherman could throw any light on the
investigation.
Conversation Was Short.
Resuming the witness stand today. Rep
resentative c. f. Creager Of Oklahoma on
cross-examination told further Of details
of his experiences in Washington in con-
nection with the attempted $4,000. 600
Indian land deal.
Mr. Creager again testified concerning
his meeting with Jake L. Hamon, charg-
ed by Senator Gore with being q promot-
er. Tor ]. F. McMurray, who held con-
tracts for the sale OF the land on 10
per cent basis.
What was the length OF time the con-
versation which you said you had with
Harnon at the hotel In Washington and
IN which he said you might obtain an
interest in the contracts IL you helped
put them through" asked G.. B. Ames.
counsel for McMurray.
about two minutes" said Creager.
did you state to Senator Gore that an
attempt had been made to influence your
II did not. All I said was that at the
proper time / would rise in the House 20
a question of personal privilege"
ION or about May did Senator Gore
"a yoY, IN tho felephope and fall vot, n