New-York tribune., 1911-12-22
DENIES HARTMAN
AIDED ROOSEVELT
G. R. Sheldon, in Letter to Ex-
President, Says There Was
No Basis for Late
FinanCier's Story.
RAISED FUNDS FOR HIGGINS
Former Chief Executive, in His
Reply, Thanks Republican Ma
tional Committees Treas
urer and Again Repudi-
ates Old Charge.

urer anu again nCPuuA
ates Old Charge.
Another chapter 70 the story that
Theodore Roosevelt asked the late +. n.
Hartman to contribute money to aid In
his election TO the Presidency In 1904
was added yesterday, when recent corre-
spondence between George X. Sheldon
treasurer of the Republican National
Committee and Mr.. Roosevelt was made
public.
Mr. Sheldon in his letter TO the ex-
President admits that Mr.. Hartman as
sisted financially the Republican state
campaign which resulted in the election
of F. w. Higgins as Governor. but says
the fund raised by the fnancier was not
for the national campaign. Mr.. Roose-
welt in his reply thanks Mr.. Shell
don for taking the action he did, and
goes on TO say that he never directly or
indirectly asked Mr.. Hartman or any
one else to contribute money to aid his
own election. Mr.. Sheldons letter fol-
lows:
December Is, 1911.
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, oyster Bay.
Dear Mr.. Roosevelt: Ever since the elec-
ton Of 1904 the story has been continuously
published and never denied, except by you.
that you asked Mr.. f. II. Hartman 10 con-
tribute money TO aid in your election, ana
that he thereupon raised or contributed
900 to the National Committee fund.
Knowing this TO be untrue ! several times
suggested TO my superior officer, Mr., Z, \.
Bliss, then treasurer of the National Com
mittee, that the facts I'm the case be plainly
stated. Mr. Bliss always believed that the
books and accounts OF the National Com
mittee were private, and although always
carried on by him with the highest sense
Of integrity and honor, he never, Ike all or
his contemporaries, would consent 10 any
publicity. This feeling has been changed IN
the past few years by the laws requiring
full publicity I'm elections. 10 seems there
fore to me that now, I'm justice 10 you, the
facts i'm the case ought 10 be known.
Everyone knew and conceded that In the
election Of 1904 you would carry the state
Of New York by a large plurality, but IL
was generally believed that Mr.. Higgins
would be defeated The Democrats centred
their efforts on the election OF thelr canhl-
date for Governor. About week before
the election Mr. Odell, then chairman OF
tho New York State Committee, came 10
$4,000 from the National Committee
the state ticket would be defeated. Mr..
Bliss told Chairman Odell that he had 10
money 10 give, but would see what could
at his Office and explained IN him the ur-
gency of the situation told ~ Mr. Odell.
Mr.; Hartman thereupon called up Ieyerai
Of his friends on the telephone and next
day handed Mr.. Bliss $4,000. Mr. Rss
himself raised $4,000. This sum Of $1,000
was handed directly 10 Chairman Odel and
never i'm any way went into the treasury u
the National Committee, which had I'm
charge the Presidential election I have
personal knowledge Of all the within men,
toned facts. Very truly yours.
(.EOREE y
Treasurer Republican National Committee.
Mr.. Roosevelt replied as follows:
THE OUTLOOK.
cS7 Fourth Avenue,
New York.
Office OF Theodore Roosevelt.
December 10, 1911.
Mr.. George 2; sheldon
New York City.
Dear Mr.. Sheldon: ! thank you for YOUR
letter. and | am glad that II was written.
There is little for me 10 add 10 what YOU
have said. ] never directly or indirectly,
I'm any shape, way or form. asked Mr..
Hartman, or anybody else, To contribute
a dollar 10 aid in my election. Moreover,
on the only occasion on which Mr.. Harri-
man ever spoke 10 me on the subject al
all he did so of his own initiative and SO
far from there being any request from
me to him he made TO me the request tnat
would aid him N getting the national
committee to contribute some OF It's funds
for the campaign expenses Of Mr. Higgins,
the candidate for Governor IN New YORK
State
lie AT the time stated to me that my own
election was assured. that the election OF
Mr. Higgins I'm which he was especially
Interested was doubtful and that ne ear
nestlv hoped that the national committee
world divert some OF its funds from the
national to the state campaign. Where the
need was great and whore he believed the
election of Mr.. Higgins TO be in jeopardy
As shown I'm your letter, this was pre-
cisely what the national committee did.
'''GI GIsignedj THEODORE ROOSEVELT
During the Presidential campaign OF
1904 Alton B. Parker made the charge
that the trusts had raised large cam
paign fund in an endeavor 10 assure Mr..
Roosoyelt's election. The ex-President's
only reply was an emphatic denial The
charge. however was taken up by some
and at various times re-
iterated. until I'm April, 1907, it received
new life by the publication Of a lett0
written by +. H. Hartman TO Sidney
Webster. a personal friend.
This letter stated that about a week
before the election Of 1904 Mr.. Roosevelt
asked Mr.. Hartman to go 10 Washing
ton 10 confer about political conditions
in New York state. The financier. ac-
cordiue to the letter, complied with tho
request. and was asked by President
Roosevelt to help in raising funds for
the Republican National Committee, as
the chairman, George h. Cortelyou. had
failed TO obtain the necessary money.
The letter goes on To say that Mr..
Hartman promised his support provid-
ing Chauncey NJ Depew, at that time
senator. were taken care of If the state
leaders did not see that he was re-
elected. President Roosevelt agreed. the
letter states. To appoint Mr.. Depew am
bassador to France. Mr.. Hartman then
tells Of how he helped raise a $3OO.Ouo
fund. which was turned over 10 Cor
nelius ~ Bliss. and Of how Mr. Roosevelt
went back on the friends who assisted
hin, tuantiallV The letter closes with