The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-10-25
new PLOT LEAKS
OUT IN WEALTHY
SENATOR'S CASE
Charge Made Of Attempt to Fall
sify Evidence Against
Stephenson.
M. J. RECAN IS WITNESS
Milwaukee Business Man Uses
Edward Hines Name in
His Testimony.
M. J. RECAN IS WITNESS

Milwaukee, Wis, Oct. "a 4-Testi-
mony concerning an alleged plot to
fabricate evidence against Senator
Isaac Stephenson and then to offer
to keep 1t out of the present investi-
cation for money consideration
was given by III j. Regan, MilWap-
kee buainess man, before the United
States Senate committee today.
H. w. Wood. q private detective.
ana Frank r Sonther, have testified
that they both were at a conference
with itegan when the latter told OF
a scheme whereby Robert J. Shields.
associated in business with Edward
Hines, the lumberman. had come
from Washington to buy up the Wis
consin legislature SO that Stephen
on could be elected In March, 1909.
Details Given from Committee.
The story which Wood and Souther
testified had been given them by
Regan was:
That Shields, coming from Wash
ington, had met Regan by appoint
| ment in Milwaukee.
That Shields said he had nnlimit-
"a money TO purchase Democrat.
| members who were to remain away
/ 70 that Stephenson might be elected.
That Shields wanted Regan to so
| d Madison TO carry on the deal but
| that Regan refused and Shields hinls
self wetstsssa
| Taking the stand after they had
given this testimony Regan declared
he had never made any such state
Eanent but on the contrary Wood and
Souther had framed up the story
with q view to obtaining money
rom Stephenson's attorney to sup
press It,
while this committee was In sos
sion here some days ago." Resan
said, Wood told me he and Souther
were going to make up case against
Stephenson, They said they were
going to testify that Shields had
ONE from Washington with an un-
IFimited amount of money to buy of
certain legislators.
sstants had been missing since Mon
Their purpose was to let 1t b.
known what they were going to do,
and then to try to get money for not
giving their testimony. They did
not get any encouragement and so
decided to tell their story any way
IT is absolutely false"
| Story Called False.
~ did meet Wood and Souther af-
ter Stephenson's election. What I
talked TO them about was this. Frank
r. Wagner had been convicted and
sentenced to tho penitentiary for
perjury for testifying falsely in the
Legislative investigation of Senator
Stephenson.
Wagner had testified that look
ing through transom OF Milwau-
kee hotel, he had seen me pay out
S3,500 to three Democratic assem-
blymen, the same assemblymen who
| afterwards absented themselves
when Stephenson was elected. Now
: felt others besides Wagner were be-
Ihnd that story. had evidence that
IL was concerted and that Wagner
had been coached as to what TO say,
I being understood when he told It,
hose opposed to Senator Stephenson
would attempt to sustain 1t.
"A former attorney general OF
| Wisconsin went SO far as to say that
he had a flashlight photograph OF
the scene In the hotel room as | was
passing over the money After Wag-
1er had testified, his story was found
o be so improbable that all the
itate's investigating committee could
do was to repudiate II,
Il 'In consequence Wagner was con-
ilced. My purpose was 70 put the
thers where Wagner was. and 70
" md this. talked to Souther and
Wood told them incidentally that
had received some kilograms from
: Shields, but they were In reference
10 business. | mentioned nothing
4. whatever about Shields having had
y unlimited money to purchase the
i. legislature"
Regan was still on the stand when
= adjournment was taken His con-
tradiction of the statement by Woou
!, and souther will necessities ne re-
! call OF numerous Witnesses jnclud-
ing Shields. Wagner, who was pa
rolled from the penitentiary, also mas
xnH y -