The Detroit times., 1911-06-29
TAFT AND ALDR|CH
ASKED HINES To
AID LOR|MER
Lumberman, Alleged To Have Raised
"Slush Fund" Tells How He
Worked With Leading States
man for Chicago Boss"
Senator Aldrich Gave Instructions
After Making Midnight Visit
To White House.

WASHINGTON June 29.-The story
was told to the Lorimer senate In
yestigating committee today of how
Edward Hines, alleged Maker of SEN
ators" and lumber lobbyist. worked
with Senator Penrose, Aldrich. and
President Taft for the election of Will
liam Lorimer, Chicago's Republican
poss TO the United States senate.
About May 20, 1909, Mr.. Aldrich
sent for me-" said Hines. "He said
the indications were that no senator
would be elected In Illinois and that
Mr.. Lorimer might solve the problem
Soon thereafter, met Mr.. Aldrich
In his Office. He said: I would like to
have you come up to the White House
and tell the president the Springfield
situation He telephoned to the
White House at 10:30 p. m. asking IL
the president would see him. He ask
ed me to go with him. objected, as
my presence might embarrass the
president. All right said Mr.. Aldrich,
You go to my house and wait for me.
AT midnight Mr.. Aldrich came from
the White House and said the presi-
dent had suggested that Mr.. Lorimer
be candidate. He suggested tele-
phone to Mr.. Lorimer. telephoned
that just talked with Mr.. Aldrich who
had visited the president and both
were anxious that he be a candidate.
Mr.. Lorimer was surprised at the
name OF the president Lorimer asked
that Aldrich send telegram confirm
ing what / said that he could show to
Gov. Deneen and the others. ] said
was authorized to send 1t. We'll,
send IT said Lorimer. I sent the mes
sage. That was the day before Lori
mef was elected"
Hines filed with he committee the
receipt for the telephone message that
led to Lorimer's election. 1t covered
five minutes and the bill was 1915.
1t was sent at 1910 a. m. on May 25,
1909, the day before Lorimer's cleo
ton.
Guided by his attorney, Hines told
how he left school at IA to take a Job
at $40 a month andsWorked until 1892
when he formed the Enward Hines
Lumber Co. He described his wide
business interests. and said his firm
had open accounts In 25 banks in all
parts of the country. He is AZ years
old.
II was a resident OF Mr.. Lorimer's
district for eight or nine years. | have
known him for 10 years." said Hines.
In answer to a question he denied
that he drank to excess.
Hines said he had no close relations
with Lorimer until five years ago.
Then he called upon Lorimer, who was
member of the rivers and harbors
committee Of the house for aid In the
improvement of harbor in the south.
In 1906 he loaned some OF his
wagons, decorated, for use In parade
In Lorimer's honor. He said he sup
ported Lorimer for congress in 1906
and 1908, because Lorimer was pro
tectionist Republican and a staunch
supporter Of the deep waterways pro-
ject from Chicago to the Gulf.
What attracted your attention to
the senatorial election in 1902"
"On Feb. 1, 1909, | sent to Mr.. Lori
mer in Washington a telegram recon.
mending A. c. Bartlett, of Chicago, as
candidate for SENATOR" said Hines.
He also read a letter to Lorimer urg.
ing support for Bartlett.
Early in April, saw Mr.. Lorimer
in washington, and he said the fac
tions could not unite upon Bartlett" |"
continued Hines. Il did not visit
Springfield while the Legislature that
elected Lorimer was in session"
did you talk to anybody else about
it?"
I'm April, Senator Penrose sent for
me and asked IL knew whether the
Illinois legislature would adjourn with
out electing a senator. I said would
try to find out. Congressman Boutell
and Mann, OF Chicago, said they were
not familiar with the situation. but
that Lorimer could probably tell me.
Mr. Lorimer said the situation was
indefinite; that there were several fac
tions and that he was going to Spring.
field where he might learn the pros.
poets"
Were you on friendly terms with
Penrose?"
'T had conferred with him on tarifi
matters. His reasons for seeking the
Information we're that Senator Aldrich
wanted every vote possible to secure
the passage of the tariff bill"
--------