The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-05
CURTIS is ON WAY
Senator Leaves for MuskOgee
This Afternoon.
Tells of Conference OF Himself
With Taft and Sherman.
STOPPED THE DEAL.
President Acted on Their Ad-
vice in Matter.
Jacob L. HamOn Gives His EVi-
dence Before Committee.
DENIES GORE CHARGES
Never Offered Him Money for
His Influence.
McMirray Contracts Never Dis
cussed, He Says.
Jacob L. HamOn Gives His EVi-
dence Before Committee.
DENIES GORE CHARGES
Never Offered Him Money for
His Influence.
McMirray Contracts Never Dis
cussed, He Says.

senator GDdT16S SuIllS iC1I tAAAS
ternoon for Muskogee where he was
called by the inquiry commission in re-
sponse to his offer to testify in regard
to the allegations made by Senator
Gore Thursday. Senator Curtis will
take the stand either Saturday or Mon
day.
Senator Curtis said today: Il shall
tell the commission that President Taft
sent for Vice President Sherman and
myself in order to discuss this Indian
matter, and as a result of that confer
ence and acting on the advice of Mr..
Sherman and myself the president de-
cided he would not open the rolls nor
would he further consider the matter
OF placing his approval on the contract
with the lawyers AIcMurray and Long,
fer the big fee claimed in the sale of
the Indian lands. This conference WITH
President Taft should alone set at rest
any further consideration of the vague
charges made by Senator Gore in this
matter. We have proof beyond the
shadow of a doubt as to our standing
in this case
Muskogee, Ok, Aug. 5.-Jake L. Ha-
mon, accused by Senator L. Z. Gore
with having offered him a $4,000 loribe
to influence legislation to congress for
the sale of Indian lands, took the stand
before the congressional committee to-
day.
Hamon entered a general denial of
Senator Cores charges that he offered
the senator $4,000 or other amount to-
put through the $50. 600 900 land deal.
lie denied being himself interested in
the McMurray contracts and sai0 he
was in Washington in the interest OF
Governor c. y. Haskell, of Oklahoma.
He also denied ever offering Congress
man c. Z. Creager an interest in the
deal. HGmon described himself as an
attorney of Lawton, Ok, the home
town Of Senator Gore. He said he had
known the senator for nine years and
had loaned him money in business
TRANSACTION
Did you tell Senator Gore that you
were ready to pay him $4,000 or sec 900
and the money would not be marked
and there would be no checks but that
money would be clean, hard cash?"
the witness was asked.
Il never made such an Offer replied
Hamon.
Did you ever mentio, 10 Senator
Gore that Vice President sherman,
Senator Curtis, former Senator Long or
former Ser ator ThuIs<o were interest
ed in the McMurray -contracts?'
Il never dil. l was at Washington,
in the interest of some Indian trades
at a fee of $50 a day and expenses and
in the interest of Governor Haskell in
the Muskogee town lot cases"
Chairman Burke. of the investigation
committee, authorized statement that
Vice President Sherman would not be
summoned to appear before the COM
Inittee. ~ was stated that 10 evidence
had been introduced to show that Mr..
Sherman could throw any light on the
investigation.
Besides Mr.. Hamon another impor-
tsnt witness to be heard is Congress-
man B. S. MCGUIRE of Oklahoma, who
was charged by Congressman Creager
with having occupied the same suite
of rooms with McMurray at a hotel in
Washington. and by Senator Gore with
having been interested in the approval
of the contracts for the sale of the
100000 acres of coal lands on a 10
per cent attorneys fee basis,
Senator Curtis will be a witness and
will take the stand either tomorrow or
Monday. He sent a telegram to Con-
gressman Charles H.. Burke of South
Dakota, chairman of the investigating
committee, stating he was anxious to
testify that he was in no way Involved
in the land deal other than to have at
heart the best interests of the Choc-
taw and Chickasaw Indians who now
own the land.
lannon's Testimony.
After making a general denial of
Senator Cores charges, Mr. Hamon
related the circumstances of his visit
to Washington and the reason for be-
ing there on May s last when the SEN
ator alleged the offer of bribery took
place in the senator's private office
The witness said he had intended to
leave Washington several DAYS pre-
viously, but that he received a tele-
gram from Governor HaskelFs attor-
ney to remain there. That was the
telegram, he said, which Senator Gore
referred to as coming from J. F. Nc
Murray and which as the senator de-
clared prompted the hurried confer
ence and the offer of bribery AS a
matter of fact. said Mr. Hamon- he
had not seen Mr.. McMurray for a wear
previously. Witness said he occunied
part of the apartments of Congressman
Mcguire of Oklahoma. but that NC
Guire paid the hotel bill.
did you visit Senator Gore on Mav
81" Chairman Burke asked.
Il think 1 did 1 called on him
almost every day and discussed NV af-
fairs with him. 1 told him / was in
town to take care of Governor Has
kell's affairs relative to the indict-
ment of the governor in the Muskogee
town lots cases. Senator Gore appar-
entity was unfriendly to the governor -
Now, you heard the testimony Of
Senator Gore yesterday in which he
accused you of offering him $4,000 Or
900 in connection with the McMur-
ray contracts. You heard him saw that
he was told by you that much money