Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-06-28
NJ CORM|CK OPENS
LOR|MER HEARING
Senate Committee Begins Work
at Washington.
STORY OF 100000 RELATED
Harvester Official Repeats Statement
Of Clarence 8. Funn Concerning
Request for Company to Con-
tribute to Election Fund.

Washington.-Cyrus H. Mccormick,
president of the International Har
vester company, told the Lori
mer investigation committee of
Edward Hines request that the har-
vester company contribute $4,000 to
the "slush fund" said to have been
used to elect William Lorimer to the
United States senate.
Mr.. Mccormick swcre that Clarence
S. Fund, general manager OF the com
pany, had told him his corporation had
been invited by Edward Hines, presi-
dent of the Hines Lumber company.
TO contribute 70 a 100000 fund used
In the election OF William Lorimer.
"Mr. Funk came to me in my Office"
said Mr.. Mccormick. and said that
Mr.. Hines, at the Union League club
in Chicago. had approached him on
the subject of our company making a
contribution. The object was to OBJ
tain a contribution to a fund which
was to be made 10 recoup expendi-
lures in connection with the election
of Senator Lorimer Mr.. Funk told
him that his suggestion could not be
considered.
Il told him ! was glad that he had
declined, and that practically ended
the incident"
Asked If Mr. Funk had mentioned
any other persons in connection with
the collection Of the fund, Mr. Nc
Cormick replied that he had brought
In the name OF Edward Tilden. presi-
dent of the National Packing com
pany. Mr.. Mccormick then told Of
subsequent interviews with Mr.. Funk.
As to the editorial in the Chicago
RecordHerald concerning the 100000
fund. the witness said that about the
time the article appeared Mr. Funk
told him he had given the facts TO IL
H. Kohlsaat, editor Of that paper He
said also that he had advised that
Mr.. Kohlsaat be relieved of his pledge
of secrecy.
Il did not think that Mr.. Kohlsaat
should go to Jail" said Mr. McCor.
mick. and consequently advised that
he be authorized to give the source Of
his information.
Mr. Mccormick said that Funk had
told him Of a second interview with
Hines, and that Hines had sought him
out to tell him that he had not meant
that his suggestion of the $4,000 con
tribution should be taken seriously.
Il felt rather indignant. and so did
Mr. Funk" replied Mr. Mccormick.
when asked if he had been shocked by
Mr. Funk's revelation
DO you not think that you should
have given the Information in the
previous inquiry ?''s' asked Chairman
Dillingham;.
The witness replied that while he
considered the case important, he had
not felt impelled to testify.
1T did not seem to me to.be my
duty to go before the committee" he
said Il did not follow all the details q"
Then your only interest was in
keeping Kohlsaat out of jail"
No, but the gravity of the situa-
ton was such that felt We should
interfere in Mr.. Kohlsaats behalf. l
had heard of other funds in connection
with political elections and l had sup
posed that there would be plenty of
evidence"
Mr.. Mccormick said he had heard
among Others of the Jackpot" fund,
of which there had been common talk
'or years. His company had never
been called on 10 contribute to the
fund. he added, although 1t had appli-
cations to contribute to such funds in
other states He said his knowledge
concerning the Illinois Jackpot" was
hearsay.