New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-10
House Committee ModifieS Its
Questions About Campaign
Contributions.
IITTLETON ENDS TROUBLE
Advises Fellow Democrats Their
Power Is Limited-Trust
Financing Plan
Explained.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

has+ed executive session. the Democratic
ner,bers OF the House committee in
v.stigating the Steel Trust to-day
hacked down on their threat TO bring
before the bar Of the House George W.
Perkins unless he told Of his personal
campaign contributions.
The chairman. A. o. Stanley. receded
as gracefully as possible. Richard V.
Iindaburv. counsel 70 the United States
Steel Corporation, said that the corpora
ton was willing 70 furnish information
as 10 its own contributions. Democratic
members Of the committee were then
considerate enough not TO press Mr..
Perkins further concerning his personal
contributions and those Of the New York
Life Insurance Company.
When the open hearings were resumed
after the executive session the chairman
announced that his opinion as 20 Mr..
Perkins's contempt was unchanged. but
ne said that II rested with Representa-
tive BeaI a Democratic member OF the
committee. whether he would press the
question that precipitated the committee
threat Of Yesterday. Mr.. BeaH. appar-
emily acting in accordance with an
understanding reached during the ex-
ecutive meeting. modified his question,
and asked Mr. Perkins II he had made
anv campaign contributions for which
he was 10 be reimbu by the Steel
Corporation" Mr.. Perkins replied in the
negative. and Mr.. Bean switched TO an
other line Of inquiry. and the commit
tees threat vanished into thin air.
= is understood that Representatives,
Martin L.ittleton and Bartlett, both law
vers. told their Democratic colleagues IN
the executive session that the committee
had not the power 70 bring Mr. Perkins
before the bar Of the House because OF
? refusal 10 answer as 10 his personal
contributions Mr. Littleton emphau-
csnv said that he did not believe the
House would uphold Mr.. Stanley's mo-
ZION FOR contempt under the circum-
stances. This rather disconnected the
Democratic chairman. and the entire IN
cfdenr which yesterday promised 10 De
2 sensation to-day. passed uneventtulIy'
supposedly under compromise agree
ment
i.tl.tor Speaks for Committee
When the executive session Of the
committee was ended Mr.. Perkins was
called for by Chairman Stanley. Repre-
sentative Littleton. on the arrival OF MI
Perkins began a statement relating
how he had been absent on the previous
dsv when Mr. Perkins had been asked
n what extent he had made contrinu-
TONS 70 campaign funds after he became
cornac+ed with the steel Corporation
Nr Lttleton said.
J-Dcn the adnissibility Of this eHdehcs
vote was taken and i was held 10 oe
Ieraf fo ask such questions. l nave eN-
smi-ed thoroughly the resolution OF ll1
House under which this cOmmlllee va
Amounted and after much discussion anu
consideration 7 have made up my lIliltu ttI
rb-+ a-v question 20 any witness as 10 MS
personal camuaign contributions rs noJ @ @du-
Missile under this resolution lIiiess It 4t,.a -,
b shown tuat suCn CONTRIBUTORS W
made with the understanding tnat lHri
after Tho contributor was 20 be reimbursed
~ tne Steel Corporation. ,...
As 20 the question put yesterday reldtlIs
N the siTe~ance in the method or Keeping
records between the United states Steei
Corporation and the New 1orh L,Ic ~
s1rance Company. that matter IS sun peru pi
ing Rer~eSentstive Beall. under direction
81 The committee. viii continue 20 inter-
r0gate the witness. and Z Wlsn II uhdeI- =
stood that I Viii meet future questions as
they come 90 mo.
Pepresentative Bartlett. Of Georgia
also Democrat. is reported to have
stood bv Mr. Littletcn in the executive
committee i'm his view Of the situation.
Following Mr.. Littletons statement. Mr..
stanlev asserted that it was wei known
that campaign contributions. that were
not spread uron the records with any
degree Of voluminousness,' were made
b. corporations.
Stanley Stands by Question.
"An inquiry" said Mr. Stanley, "as TO
The methods 10y which the United States
Steel CORPORATION kept its books with
reference % this practice is relevant.
Nr Beau may and viii exercise a wise
discretion Boo the matter. but as 10 the
question as o. what difference there was
IN the way the United states steel Cor
poratou and other corporations that is.
the New York Life Insurance Company
kept its records. the chair still is Of the
opinion that 70 is relevant and com
petent. and should Mr. Beall insist on
81 answer TO that question the decision
g the chair is not 20 be altered.
Though this declaration caused excite
meni for a moment. when Mr. Beall re-
ssted the question. Mr. Perkins did not
ansWer and an answer from him was
NOT Insisted on. Instead. Richard V.
-ndabury counsel for the United States
e'eel Corporation. made this statement:
wish 20 say that ! am as unaltera BILE
ul opinion relating 20 some questions
. Is The chairman iu his. / do not object
- 4%esiouS as 20 campaign contributions
t-t steel Corporation, but ] do object 10
~ inquiry into the practice Of the New
.1fh l4fe Insurance Company as 10 cam
te.sn contributions. In 1894 the Steel Cor
so.snon contributed $4,000 10 a political
,sapaign whether for state or national
s~'.pd4gn do not remember. ! viii look
~ ue records OF this and OF any other
r,g,,,ulDlr0ns and submit them 20 the com
lree This contribution NJ. Perkins
'"s nothing about
Then that obviates the necessity OF
-''Her questions in that regard" said
representative BeaIl
several questions along that line fol-
'"ea' 70 which Mr. Perkins replied that
never had expectations Of reimburse
"' from anybody, and there the cam
~sh contribution inquiry abruptly
Taft 10 Give Information.
i Duri, .