Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-31
ShurtIeff Charges Chica-
COS Former Mayor With
Responsibility.
DENEEN IS IN ON DEAL
Alleged Landing of Speaker
ship Also Figures in the
Alliance.

Chicago. Oct. 31.-Former Speaker
Shurtlef Of the Illinois legislature ad-
mitted today before the Lorimer I'm
vestigating committee that be discuss
ed alleged holdup legislation at din
ner given by railroad officials In Chi
cago during the 1909 session. He said
he attended the dinner by invitation.
and named the late Ira G.. Rawn, for
merly president of the Monon road, as
| one of the officials at the meeting.
BUSsE BROUGHT IN
Chicago, Oct. 31.-Former Mayor
Fred A. Busse OF Chicago was re-
sponsible. Indirectly for the election
of Senator William Lorimer accord
ing TO testimony given yesterday af-
, ternoon by former Speaker Edward
D. Shurtleff of the Illinois legislat-
ure before the federal senatorial in
vestigation committee.
Shurtleff said he owed his election
as speaker. in no small part to the
advice and the support of Busse
Previously, Roger c. Sullivan, demo-
cratic national committeeman, and
( Congressman Ira c. Copley had tes-
tilted that Lorimer's election to the
senate was an outgrowth OF Shurt-
leff's election as speaker Sullivan
said that Lorimer would not have
gone TO the senate but for the cleo
tion of Shurtlen.
NO CORRUPTION, HE CLAIMS.
Shurtlef swore that so rar as b.
Z IFVa a
connection with the Lorimer siec-
ton.
Shurtleff testified that democratic
support was offered him by friends
Of Adlai Stevenson. including Stew
ensons son. Louis Stevenson.
LAS / recall it," said ShurtIen.
these offers OF democratic support
were made after Stevenson had been
nominated as the democratic candi-
date for governor"
Shurtleff said that after he dis
covered that he could not get a ma
jority OF votes In the republican
caucus among members OF the legis-
lature he discussed the matter with
former Mayor Fred A. Busse OF Chi
cago.
time that he would lend his infiu-
ence with members OF the legislat-
ure from his district to assist me 70
become speaker. This was to me as
surance that l would get some dem
ocratic support in Chicago dis
tricts."
NO SULLIVAN AID.
The former speaker next related
incidents which led up to his cleo
ton as speaker by a combination OF
republican and democratic votes. At
torney Marble Interrupted at this
point to ask why Shurtleff thought
Busse had indicated democratic sup
port.
Because / told him that I waf
sure / could not get enough republi-
can votes in the republican caucus
and he suggested that / stay out OF
the caucus. l Understood that e
mean that he thought could be
elected by a combination OF demo
cratic and republican votes" said
Shurtlef.
Shurtleff denied that either Lori
mer or Roger Sullivan aided him on
consulted with him regarding his
candidacy for the speakership.
The witness stated that at one
time during the campaign for the
speakership he was told that 3. M
Chiperiield OF Canton had been Sc
lected by Governor Deneen as q
harmony candidate for speaker.
WE'RE SEVERAL sCNHEs.
There were several 'scares.
said ShurtIen. when IL was report
ed that a number Of democrats had
agreed 70 vote for the reelection OF
Senator Hopkins, but ! never Learn.
ed the exact condition which caused
these rumors. / consulted with
Congressman Copley several times.
but don't remember having told
any mem Ders that they would not
be allowed 70 vote for Hopkins az
IL has been gaid I did 7 may have
talked with Lee OSeil Browne
Thomas Tippit, Mr.. Cermak and
Nr. Werdell regarding the matter
but don't recall exactly what
said 70 them Ny understanding Of
the senatorial deadlock was that
Governor Deneeu had decided o.
stand for Loriner for United State.
senator. Deneen, az 7 understood
81, believed that this was the only
way 90 break the deadlock. Tbs
governor never said this 20 me but
It was told me ov Lorlmer, who had
been holding numerous conferences
h.