Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-07-26
Tribune Editor Prosecuted Man Who
Got Money from Him to Buy
Records of Lobbyist.
'AD TO REFLECT ON LoRIMER
Charged Senator with Taking Fee for
Getting Mail Privilege.
CLAWS DID NOT PRODUCE BOOKS
Said He Had Them, but Wanted to
Withdraw from Agreement.
THOUGHT HE BOUGHT GOLD BRICK
since He Came to Washington, Howe
ever, He Has Heard Something
that Made Him Change
His Mind.

HIS Mind.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-James Keeley
of the Chicago Tribune told the senate
Lorimer committee that George o CLAWS
recent arrest on q charge of endorsement
was at his (Keeley's) request, after CLAWS
had been authorized to buy lobbyists
books, which CLAWS claimed would show
that lobbyists paid Lorimer 5 per cent Of
fund OF 5000 In fight made by tho
"Fireproof magazine Of Chicago for the
mailing privilege. Kelley said CLAWS told
him former Representative Tawney OF
Minnesota for many years chairmah of tho
house appropriations committee. was
mixed up in the deal"
Elbridge Hanecy, counsel for Senator
Lorimer, cross-examined Mr.. Keeley. Mr.
Keeley said Medil Mccormick, editor Of
the Tribune, was on a vacation when the
confession OF State Representative Charles
A. White was printed and had nothing to
do with its publication.
Mr.. Hanecy suddenly asked MIR. Kelley
where he was last night
The witness said he was in the Tribune
bureau here and that J. H. Marble, at
torney for the committee, called.
How did he happen to call?''
II sent for him."
"Why7"
Because had some information 1 de-
sired to give him-,a telegram 1 received"
What was it?"
Il decline to give it."
The committee ruled that the activity
of the committees counsel could not be
inquired into.
Mccormick and LOrimer.
MIR. Kelley testified Medill Mccormick
believed Lorimer should be driven out Of
politics
"And he worked consistently to do that?"
asked Lorimers counsel.
"Yes and no." replied Keeley.
Mr.. Kelley admitted that the election of
William ]. Moxley to the house of repre-
sentatives at washington to succeed Lori
mer was one of the things that made Nc
Cormick hostile to Lorimer. tta
'Mr. Kohlsaat has defined Lorimerism as
a combination of democrats and repub-
licans. Did you regard the defeat Of Mox-
ley by a combination Of democrats and re-
publicans as McCormickism?"
mo, sir; think Mr.. Kohlsaat was talk
ing about a combination where the cohe-
sive force was public plunder."
what CLAWS said.
Mr.. Kelley told the CLAWS story in re-
sponse to questions from Lorimer's counsel.
The witness testified that CLAWS said the
books were in the possession of the widow
of one OF the lobbyists that she had tuber-
culosis and would sell them.
Then the witness told the story about
the Fireproof magazine. He declined to
answer whether any other names were
mentioned. The committee instructed him
to repeat eevrything that had been told
him by CLAWS.
CLAWS said that the books showed that
Congressman Tawney was mixed up in this
postoffice matter" said the witness. He
also said that an item In the books showed
that Lorimer had something to do with a
liquor case"
Mr. Kelley said he telegraphed $3.50 to be
paid CLAWS for the books and that CLAWS
acknowledged having purchased them, but
later sent word he would like TO withdraw
from the agreement and refund the ad-
vances. Mr.. Kelley would not assent.
why did you want the books?" asked
the attorney.
ITO turn over to this committee, II they
were useful evidence"
Mr.. Kelley said he became convinced
that he had purchased a gold brick, but
something that had happened since he
came to Washington in the last week had
changed his mind.
Tawney Never Heard of IL.
WINONA, Mimi, July 25.-When shown
the dispatch from washington this after
moor at his office, Mr.. Tawney said:
'"rhe matter is all Greek to me. I do
not know Mr.. Keeley OF the Chicago Trib-
une nor Mr.. George o. CLAWS or any other
CLAWS. never before heard of the Fire.
proof magazine and know nothing what
ever of any mail privileges which II ever
sought or obtained"
BOuteu Contradictn Hinen.
NEW YORK, July 8.-Edward Hines tes-
titled in the Lorimer investigation yester-
day that a fragment OF a letter which he
produced was in the handwriting OF H. s.
Boutell, former member OF congress and
at present United States minister to Switz-
erland. It read as follows:
II should like TO have the senator (mean-
ing LOrimer) know who was the only man
in Washington who went 10 the president
in his behalf and brought off the goods"
This statement was communicated by
cable to Minister Boutell and the following
from him was received by the Associated
Press today:
BERNE, Switzerland July 81 never
heard President Taft speak OF the situation
but once, when he expressed no preference
or objections 70 the numerous candidates
mentioned, but hoped the republican caucus
would decide on a candidate and elect At
once. This view was known to all and /
never wrote anyone on the subject.
(Signed) II. S. BOUTELL.