Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-27
LORIMER PROBE ASSUMES
NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
Names of Men in High Posi-
ton Are Mentioned in Evil
dence of Editor


of natlonal prominence were brought
into the Lorimer investigation today for
the first time when Herman H. Kohl
saat, editor and publisher OF the Chi
cago Record-Herald. testified before the
senate committee investigating the cleo
ton Of Senator Lorimer.
Former President Roosevelt's name
was linked with the investigation when
Mr.. Kohlsaat testified that last Au-
gust he told Colonel Roosevelt the en-
tire story OF the alleged attempt Of Ed
ward Hines to collect $4,000 from Clar-
ence S. Funk. general manager Of the
International Harvester company, to re-
imburse those Who had contributed
100000 ito put Lorimer across at
Springfield. The ban of secrecy was
placed on the former president. but Mr..
KohIsaat testified Colonel Roosevelt
wrote him that he declined. because of
Mr. Kohlsaat's information, 70 attend
the Hamilton club dinner in Chicago
later In August, 1910. II Lorimer was to
be there. The Roosevelt letter will be
placed in the record OF the hearing.
The names OF Senator Root, Senator
LaFoIette and Senator Cullom were
mentioned in a new light. Mr.. Kohlsaat
testified that he had informed these SEN
ators before the senate passed on the
Lorimer case of the conversation In
which Funk had told him OF Hines al
legged attempt to collect money.
To these men. Mr.. Kohlsaat did not
mention names because he considered
himself under a pledge OF secrecy to Mr..
hunk not to do so. Mr. Kohlsaat men
nr1x of
the close of the days session.
EDITOR ON STAND.
Former Speaker Cannon and former
Representative Tawney. OF Minnesota,
figured In the days testimony. Judge
Hanecy, counsel for Senator Lorimer,
asked the witness II Senator Lorimer in
1893 had not dropped libel suit against
Mr. Kohlsaat because Cannon and
Tawney told him It was feared IL such
were not dropped the Chicago Record
Herald would not support Roosevelt for
president in 1904
THAT Is so ridiculous that no answer
is needed to it." declared Mr. Kohlsaat.
He also denieN that the suit wac
dropped because II was made condi-
ton OF Governor Deneen's doing a favor
for a young man in trouble, who was
Lorimer's friend.
examination by counsel for Senator Lori
mer. He was asked II he did not tell
the Funk story TO every newspaper in
Chicago. The witness said he could not
remember II he had, although he had
spoken OF II without mentioning names
10 several persons. He was asked II he
had not given It to every magazine that
was friendly to him.
Mr.. kohlsaat denied that he had done
so
did not you give It to one Of the
editors OF the outlookT' inquired Judge
Hanecy.
mo. SIR
Didn't you give 1T to Theodore
Roosevelt?"
"Oh, yes"
He was asked II he had not told a
Chicago detective who came to his office
to see II he had any work that the
newspapers of the country had organ
ICED to fight Lorimer.
Perfectly absurd" declared the wit
ness.
He was asked II he did not refuse to
give the name of his informant Funk)
when first called before the Helm In
vestigating committee at Springfield, be-
cause he wanted to appear as sort OF
martyr.
The witness Strengthened UP. looked at
Judge Hanecy and said:
IF there were not ladies present
and then as he sank back into his chair,
added: II would quote one of Eugene
Fields poems TO you"
Suppose you answer the question
first" suggested Judge Hanecy.
mo. sir, 1 was not playing to the
galleries"
Judge Hanecy asked the witness II he
did not think II was an unjustifable
thing to take information secretly to
senators who were 20 judge Lorimer
without giving the state OF Illinois, Lori
mer or his family a chance to defend
themselves against serious charges He
said he did not, and distinguished sena-
tors from members of courts in relation
to giving them information.
Several times during his examination,
Mr.. Kohlsaat declared he absolutely be-
lieved what Mr. Funk told him. Another
striking feature of his testimony was
his repeated statements that he found
much to admire in Senator Lorimer's
private life. He referred to the sem
ators life as ideal
what 1 have been fighting for 20
years is Lorimerism," he declared.
"Lorimerism." he defined as an "aff1lia-
ton and cooperation and cohesion OF
Democrats and Republicans for party
pelf and for private pelf."