Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-26
Alleged Request to Aid the
Lorimer Election Fund.
HIS INTERVIEW WITH HINES
Testifes Before Senate Investigating
Committee.
MEMBERS v0LLEY QUERIE'
General Manager Of the Interna-
tional Harvester Company the
Only Witness Heard.

Clarence s. Funk, general manager Of
the International Harvester Company,
whose account of an alleged request to
him by Edward Hines of Chicago, presi-
dent Of the Edward Hines Lumber Com
pany. for $4,000 contribution from the
Harvester concern toward reimbursing
the Lorimer election fund played an i'm
portant part in bringing about a sec
ond inquiry. appeared today before the
Senate Lorimer investigating committee.
Kept in Touch With Politics.
Mr.. Funk's testimony was expected to
develop the crucial stage Of the inquiry
and to throw much light on the question
of veracity between himself and Mr..
Hines as to any request to reimburse
those who raised the 100000 Ito put
Lorimer across at Springfield"
There was intense interest on the part
Of the committee, the counsel and the
spectators as Mr.. Funk took the stand to
tell his story.
Mr. Funk faced Mr.. Hines. who had
been given special permission to attend
the hearing. instead of being required to
stay In the witness room. Edgar II. Far
rar of New Orleans had been added to
the counsel for Lorimer and Hines, and
joined with his associates, Attorneys Ell
bridge Hanecey and w. A. j. Hynes of
Chicago in cross examining the witness.
John II. Marble of counsel for the COM
mttee began Mr.. Funk's examination.
Mr.. Funk testified that as general man
ager of the harvester concern 1t was one
of his duties to keep in touch with politi-
cal affairs. He said that never. to his
knowledge. had the company used money
to get votes in legislatures or Congress.
He said that as far as he could he had
always avoided discussing Lorimer per-
sonally.
Have you regarded Mr.. Lorimer as
factor opposed to the International Har-
vester Company" asked Mr.. Marble.
Introduction to Lorimer.
Just how he was introduced to Senator
Lorimer was described impressively by
Mr.. Funk He said the meeting occurred
at a deep waterway convention in WASH
ington about eighteen months ago.
"Mr Hines came up to Mr.. Mccormick
and myself in the New Willard Hotel
here" explained Mr.. Funk. I'VE talked
for few moments. when Mr. Hines said
that Senator Lorimer was In his room
and he. Hines, wished we would meet
him.
what did you do?' asked Mr.. Marble.
r.
Mccormick looked at me and we both
looked out of the window. l waited for
Mr.. Mccormick to say something. Final
ly we went up stairs and were introduced
to the senator
He told of another meeting with Mr..
Lorimer He telephoned the senator to
ascertain when young man named
Baker, in whom Charles Deering. di-
rector of the Harvester company, was
interested, would be called upon to take
for <hn
tary Academy.
sThe senator was very kind on both
occasions" said Mr. Funk.
The witness said he had never heard
Senator Lorimer's name mentioned in
connection with a tax fight on the Nc
Cormicks, who are largely interested In
the Harvester company.
The Chicago River Question.
Mr.. Funk told how the Harvester COM
pany was interested in closing the Chi
cago river, which flowed through his COM
pany's plant. He said the Edward Hines
Lumber Company probably was in favor
of deepening the river.
"Did you know Senator Lormer's atti-
tude toward the river?" asked Senator
Kenyon.
II understood he was In favor of deep
ening the river" was the reply.
Mr. Funk said this did not prejudice him
against Lorimer because Il felt as long
as the government engineers were opposed
to closing the river Lorimer's attitude was
a matter of indifference"
The witness said he had known Mr.
Hines three or four years On one oc-
casion he said, Mr.. Hines sought to sell
the Harvester company some TIMBER iand
in Mississippi He declared that there
and himself or their respective COM
pan nips far as he knew.
Discussing his relations with Mr.. Hines,
Mr.. Funk said: ALLOWING for differences
Of temperament, he was cordial to me
and l was possibly passive to him." He
explained that Mr.. Hines was probably
more genial than himself.
Alleged Request for $4,000.
DO you recall a conversation with Mr.
Edward Hines?' finally asked Attorney
Marble.
Yes. SIR
Mr.. Funk then repeated his alleged con-
versation with Mr.. Hines in which the re-
quest for the en-thousand-dollar contribu-
ton is said to have been made. Just as
casual as the sale of car Of lumber"
was the way Mr.. Funk referred to the
proposition. His story followed substan-
TALLY the testimony he gave before the
Helm investigating COHHiittee IN liliHoiS
The witness said he met Hines at the
Union League Club after Lorimer's cleo
ton
Hello" said Hines. according to
Mr.. Funk. you are just the man want
to see. The witness explained that
he was not repeating the exact words
necessarily, but only giving his recollec-
ton Of the conversation.
What did you reply?" inquired Mr..
Marble
Hello probably. I don't know" Mr..
Funk told how the two men sat down
and he testified that Mr.. Hines said:
We'll, we put Lorimer over down at
Springfield but IL cost 100000 to do it =
The witness added that Hines explained
that they had to act quickly
What else" urged Mr.. Marble.
He said: Now we are seeing some OF
our friends to get the matter fixed up "
| Mr.. Funk said he inquired how much
| he was getting We'll we can only 20
to a few big people" Mr.. Funk said
| to contribute $4,000 we can wipe 1t out ''
Il asked him why he came to u.s.
said Mr.. Funk.
| .Io enid Won are as much infereetod