Norwich bulletin., 1911-07-21
AIdriCh Denies
Hines Version
TAFT DID NOT URGE ELECTION
OF LORlMER.
HAD NO OBJECTION TO HIM
And Displayed Same Attitude Toward
Other candidates-Desired to Have
Republican Elected to Senate.

Washington, July 20.-The story of
the administrators attitude toward
the -election of Senator Lorimer as
told by former Senator Nelson w.
Aldrich of Rhode Island. and the ae-
tivities of r. ]. Shields of Superior.
Wis, an insurance agent, in collect
ing affidavits from witnesses in the
investigation, were features of the
Senator Lorimer hearing today.
What AIdrich Told Hines.
Instead of sending Edward Hines,
the Chicago lumber man to Spring.
field, with word from the Washing
ton administration that Lorimer should
be elected, Mr.. Aldrich testified that
he told Hines that President Taft was
not supporting the candidacy of any
one, but that Lorimer was not objec-
tionable 20 him.
Taft Had No Objection to Others.
The former senator said he told
Hines previously that the president
had no objection to Albert J. Hopkins
or Henry S. BouteIl for the senator
ship.
Statement from White House.
A statement from the White House
last March in regard to the election
was read to the witness The only
point concerning which he said he
knew nothing was the declaration that
request had been made on the pres
ident to sign a telegram stating his
views on Lorimer's candidacy.
The Facts of the Case.
The White house statement, given
out March 29, was as follows:
'Fhe fact with reference to the
presidents relation to Senator Lori
mer's election is this:
Taft Asked to Favor Lorimer.
THAT during the tariff fight gentle
men came to him and expressed their
interest in the passage of the tariff
bill; and said that it had been sug-
gested from Illinois that it would be
wise for the president to express an
opinion in favor of the election of
Mr.. Lorimer He did not know Mr..
Lorimer well, although he knew that
he was an influential member of con-
gress. but he did know Hopkins.
Refused to Urge Lorimer's Election.
He knew very little about Illinois
politics; but expressed a desire that
there should be two republican sena-
tors from Illinois, but when asked to
put that in the form of a telegram
urging the election of Mr.. Lorimer he
declined to do So
Hines Statement Wholly Unfounded.
''The statement by Mr.. Hines that
the president was anxious for, and
was urging the election of Mr. Lori
mer. is wholly unfounded.''
The Presidents Attitude.
Senator Kenyon asked if the presi-
dent manifested any disposition in ia
vor of Lorimer's election. Mr. Aldrich
said that he did not care to go into
conversations he had with the presi-
dent and that his testimony as to
what he told Hines explained the pres
ident's attitude fully.
when did you begin to take an ac-
tive interest in the election of a sen
ator from Illinois?' continued Senator
Kenyon.
Did Not Take Active Part.
Il never took an active part. 1 was
no more interested in that election
than l was in the election of other re-
publican senator's
You Were the senate leader, were
you not2''
There were many who did not
agree to that responded Mr.. Aldrich.
Would Not Criticise Associates.
Senator Kenyon at another time,
when the witness was talking about
good" republicans, asked him if he
considered that there We're bad re-
publicans in the senate, when he was
leader.
II am not here to pass on my as
sociates,' responded Mr. Aldrich curt