The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-06-20
MCCORMICK IS
ON The Stand
Harvester Co. President Tells
Of LOrirner Fund
MERELY HEARSAY EVIDENCE
SENATE COMMITTEE PREPARED
TO GO DEPTHS IN PROBE INTO
LoRlMER cAsE-HEARlNe SET
AHEAD TWO DAYS TO ACCOM-
MoDATE WITNESSES.

Washington, June 20.-Little but
hear-say evidence was brought out to-
day when the senate Lorimer investl-
eating committee held it's initial in
quiry that is to so deep into the
charges Of corruption in the election
of the junior senator from Illinois.
Cyrus H. Mccormick, president of
the international Harvester Co., was
before the committee to tell what he
knew of the collection of $685. fund
alleged to have been used in Lori
mer's behalf
He testified that Clarence s. Funk.
general manager of the company had
told him of the activity in behalf of
Lorimer and that the corporation had
been invited by Edward Hines Of the
Lumber Co., to contribute to an cleo
ton fund.
VIM. ]. Hines, who requested per-
mission to appear as general counsel
for Edward Hines, objected to the line
OF questioning. lie was overruled.
What did Funk say to your" asked
John H. Marble. one of the counselors
for the committee.
Funk came to me in my ONCE"
said Mccormick, "and said that Hines
at the Union League club in Chicago
had approached him on the subject
of our company making contribu-
ton"
Interesting Information.
The object was to obtain contribu-
tons to the fund which he understood
was to be made to recoup expenditures
in connection with the election of
Senator Lorimer. Funk told him that
his suggestion could not be consid-
cred.
Asked If Funk had mentioned any
other persons in connection with collec-
ton Of the fraud fund Mccormick re-
piled that he had brought in the name
of Mr.. Tilden of the National Packing
Co. Mccormick then told of subse-
quent interviews with Funk.
As to the editorial I'm The Chicago
Record Herald, concerning the alleged
fund of 100000 in behalf OF Senator
Lorimer, the witness said that at about
the time the article appeared Funk had
told him he had given the facts to
H. III. Kohlsaat, editor of that paper.
and said that he had advised that
Kohlsaat be relieved Of his pledge of
secrecy.
II did not think that Kohlsaat should
go to jail" said Mccormack, "and sub
sequently advised that he be author
lied to give his source of informa-
ton"
DO you think that you should have
given information in the previous in
quiry?" asked Chairman Dillingham;.
The witness replied that while he con-
cfdano1
he had not felt impealed to testify.
Mccormick said he had heard
among others Of the Jack pot fund
Of which there had been common talk
for years. His company had never
been called upon to contribute to the
fund, he added, although II had had
various applications to contribute to
such funds in other states. He said
his knowledge concerning the Jack
pot was hearsay.
Pressed for his reason for not max
ing public his information during the
previous hearing. Mccormick said he
had been absorbed by his business and
by the time he had analysed the SIT
uation, the committee had ceased
work.
Much Broader Probe.
The second investigation by a SEN
ate committee, into the circumstances
surrounding the election of William
Loriner OF Illinois, scheduled for to. |
day, promised to take a wider range
than the one of last winter, which att |
or a bitter fight resulted favorably to
Lorimer.
The new committee appointed by
OF the senate had not ex-
pected to begin It's hearing until june
%, but the desire Of material wit |
ness to get away to Europe brought |
about the decision to begin the taking /
of testimony today with Cyrus H. Me- |