The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-26
.S1OO,OOOOFFERBY
SHIP SUBSIDY
INTERESTS
Attempt to Purchase Influence
Of Journal of Commerce
EDITOR BEFORE COMMITTEE
Alfred w. Dodsworth Tells of Propo-
sails Made for Publication of
Editorials

Washington, Jan. 26.-Accounts Of
offers of brides, running up to $780,
GEO. were given yesterday by Alfred
w. Dodsworth, business manager of
The New York Journal Of Commerce,
before the special House committee
which is investigating charges that
huge sums of money have been used
TO influence public opinion In favor
Of ship subsidies. Mr.. Dodsworth
declared that the offer OF 100000 had
been made to him and his brother,
John w. Dodsworth, editor OF the
paper, six years ago, as consideration
for the publication OF an article which
would favor subsidies.
Despite the lapse Of time and the
fact that Mr.. Dodsworth could not
name the man who made the offer,
The committee took a serious view of
The matter and purposes to question
John w. Dodsworth. Charles A. Con-
ant, a well-known writer on econo-
mics, who as Washington correspon-
dent of The Journal of Commerce
was said to have forwarded to that
paper an offer from persons repre-
senting the Spanish Government for
The purpose of its influence. may also
DO subpoenaed
When the committee began its In
quiry there were reports that at
tempts had been made TO influence
The Journal Of Commerce, and John
w. Dodsworth was summoned and
questioned, but no such stories came
out at the time.
Alfred w. Dodsworth came before
The committee with q list Of ques-
lions he wanted propounded, in order
10 make clear the attitude of his
paper, which had been charged with
selling its influence. He said the
paper never had been subsidized by
any interests, and its BUSINESS and edi-
torial columns had no relation.
He went on to say that about six
years ago, stranger appeared at his
Office and offered to pay the paper
100000, taking 100000 copies OF
the paper, for the insertion OF an ar
ticle in one issue, supporting ship
subsidy legislation. He refused TO
disclose his identity unless his propo-
sition was accepted In such case
he was to make out q certified check
Immediately for $4,000, and to pay
$4,000 more upon publication OF the
article. Mr.. Dodsworth called his
brother into his office and the propos-
ition was refused.
The committee did not let the mat
ter rest then. IL wanted TO know II
there had been any other incidents
of the kind. Under questioning. Mr..
Dodsworth said that about thirty
years ago, John Roach, the ship
builder, entered the Office OF his
father laid down a bank check and
asked Mr.. Dodsworth to fill out the
check and stop writing against ship
subsidy. The offer was refused
Another man about two years ago,
he said, tried to buy the support OF
the paper for $4,000. and during the
Spanish-American War, the Spanish
Government tried to buy the papers
influence Chairman Olcott, Repre-
sentative Longworth of Ohio and 9th
err members of the committee CRITICS
ed the two brothers for falling to sub
nit this information TO the commit
tee before now. The witness said
the committee would have to ask the
brother why he failed to disclose the
information when he testified.
Chairman Olcott asked the witness
who represented the Spanish Govern
Iment when It tried to buy his papers
support. He said he did not know
as his father was then managing edi
tor, but he understood that the pro
position came through Charles A. Co
liant I'm a letter. He did not know
the amount offered.
The $4,000 proposition was from
tall dark.haired man. who said he
was lobbyist In Washington. HE
was very frank" remarked the wit
mess.
Mr.. Dodsworth, asked what he re
garded as the ship subsidy interests
mentioned the Ward Line and tn,
New York and Porto Rico Steamship
Company, but did not recall others
He could not undertake to name thu
persons who made the 100000 offer
but belleyed Il came from ship sub
sidy interests, and when pressed a
to what he meant by that, he men
toned the Cramps and Reaches as In
lterests coming under that head.