The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1911-07-21
TAFT SOUGHT FACTS
pENEEN SAYS PRESIDENT SENT
M'vEhGH TO INQUIRE ABOUT
IoRIMER ELECTION.
GOVERNOR AND HINES DIFFER
Illinois Executive Denies Lumber
rams Version Of Famous long-Dis-
tance Talk Which Astonished Cab

Washington. July 17.-President
Taft's administration was brought into
the Lorimer investigation in new
way when Governor Deneen OF Illinois
testified that as early as August. 1909.
Secretary OF the Treasury MacVeagh
sent for him Ito ascertain for the
president matters regarding the cleo
ton of Senator Lorimer." This was
about three months after Mr.. Lori
mer's election
Whether Secretary MacVeagh was
proceeding on his own initiative or
whether the president had actually
suggested that lie interview Governor
Deneen was not revealed. II was not
discovered whether an extended In
quiry was being conducted by the adj
ministration into the manner OF Sena-
tor Lorimer's election.
Governor Deneen mentioned the
name OF Secretary MacVeagh when
he was asked TO whom he had given
his version of the famous telephone
conversation between Edward Hines
and himself on the day Lorimer was
elected. 1t was during this converse
ton, so Hines testified, Deneen prom
Used to support Lorimer.
Denies Hines Version.
This Governor Deneen denied.
Hines testified he said over the tele-
phone that he was on his way to
Springfield to bring Deneen message
from Senator Aldrich and President
Taft about Lorimer's election. Deneen
testified Hines said the president was
sending him a message through AL
drich, who would have George Rey-
nolds, president of the Continental Ma
tional bank of Chicago deliver it.
Governor Deneen testified that
when he responded TO Secretary Mac
Veagh's request to call at the Federal
building In Chicago, Mr. MacVeagh
said he wanted to ascertain. for the
president, matters regarding Senator
Lorimer's election" and that he Ode
neen) jokingly replied ASK the
said to have sent the message that
did it."
Governor Deneen added that in re-
spouse to further inquiry from the Sec
rotary be related the conversation be-
tween himself and Hines.
MacVeagh Astonished.
The conversation lasted only ten
or fifteen minutes, for the secretary
after l had related my part in the
election, said that he was astonished
at the reports" added Governor De-
neen.
The HinesDeneen telephone CONVEX
sation is regarded as having an impor-
tant bearing on the Lorimer asser-
ton that Deneeen favored Lorimer's
election.
DO you think Mr.. Hines might have
mentioned Mr. Reynolds name for
purposes of Identification inquired
Senator Fletcher, referring to Hines
testimony.
mo" was the response MIR. Rey-
Hines. for | did not know Mr.. Rey-
nolds very we'll"
Governor Deneen declared that it
was not necessary for him to assist
them, because the contest had been
won by Lorimer the night before.
Considered Special Session.
Governor Deneen said that before
the publication of the alleged White
confession Editor Kelley of the Chi
cago Tribune suggested to him that
special session of the legislature be
called to consider the Lorimer case
The witness said that. probably after
the publication, he tentatively wrote
a message proposing a special session.
AT consultation with his advisers,
however. the conclusion was reached
that the Investigating committee
probably would consist of the men
who were guilty and the special ses-
sion was not called.