The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1911-11-30
BARKER HITS COLONEL
DECLARES ROOSEVELT PUR-
CHASED PRESIDENCY IN 1904.
Philadelphia Banker StartIes Senate
Committee by Sensational Charges
Against Ex-President.

Washington, Nov. 20. - Wharton
Barker of Philadelphia, famed as a
banker and economist. one-time friend
OF the former president, now long
since broken Of his faith. told the sen:
ate committee on interstate CONNIE rec
that in 1904 Theodore Roosevelt bar.
gained for and purchased the presi-
dency of the United States with the
promise OF such legislation as the rail.
road companies desired.
Making his denunciation even more
bitter. as the committee sat in stunned
silence, Mr.. Barker declared that in
the panic of 1907, Mr.. Roosevelt fol-
lowing his bent. had deliberately sac
ritied the nation to the interests of
the money kings.
Il told him he had either to choose
10 break the country or the gamblers"
Mr.. Barker said impressively. then
he called Mr. Knox and Root and Cor
telyou. He plunged money into Wall
street he broke the country,
but he saved the gamblers"
In a quiet, conversational tone. I'M
broken by gestures, Mr. Barker was
discussing the evils of the railroad
situation with particular reference TO
the present enormous capitalization
when he said:
The story | am about 10 mention
has never been told in public. have
spoken of it to a few of my friends
under secrecy. But | believe that in
connection with the subject now be-
fore this committee it ought 10 be
known.
Il was walking down Broadway,
New York. on morning about three
or four weeks before the election in
1904. when | was met by one of the
great money kings Of that city. He
was one OF the most successful OF
New YOrk's business men and q row
er in Wall street. I shall not name
him. for he is now dead. but you
probably will be able to guess who he
was as | proceed.
Knowing that was opposed to the
election Of Mr.. Roosevelt. this finan-
cier said to me: Well. we are going
TO elect Roosevelt
Why, | said in some surprise. I
thought you were going to elect Alton
b. Parker " ss .-, ... ~ ..-s..
No he replied, we have become
afraid of him. We are for Roosevelt,
and have made bargain with him
What kind of a bargain? asked
in establishment at the character of
his statement
ON the railroad question. He is
to hollcr all he wants to and by and
by. not Immediately. but in due time,
railroad bill is 10 be recommended
to congress by the president. Under
the terms of that bill the railroads
will be required to cut off rebates and
other discriminating practices. That
will please the owners of the roads,
but not the officers.
For the same reason free passes
of all kinds will be abolished Pooling
is to lie allowed under the name OF
maximum rates, and under these maxi
mum rates the railroads will be per
mitted to take from the country from
three to four hundred millions more
than they are now getting. This. of
course will permit an increase OF the
capital stock of all railroad corpora
lions. The whole thing has been
agreed to-
Il told this railroad magnate did
not believe it. | said that no man
could make me believe Theodore
Roosevelt would make such a bar
gain to obtain his election.
But it came true. every word OF it,
declared Mr.. Barker with great EN-
phasis. I'm the annual message 10
congress the president made no refer
ence to these things. Sufficient time
had not elapsed. But In his annual
message in 1905 the president did rec
ommend these very things.
81 wrote to Mr.. Roosevelt and told
him of the statements that had been
made to ME the day I met that finan-
cier in Broadway. I said | told the
man he had lied. but that now | sa*
that he had told me the truth.
IL have written Mr.. Roosevelt many
letters during our long acquaintance,
and of all the letters | have written
him. that was NE only one he never