The Washington herald., 1911-06-28
old TALES REVIVED
IN LORIMER CASE
Duluth Witness Repeats EVi-
dence Given Months Ago.

In a repetition Of his testimony as
given before the investigating commit
tee of the Illinois legislature in the
Lorimer case. Writ H Cook. OF Duluth.
yesterday told the Senatorial commit
tee that he heard Edward Hines. the
lumber man, tell Gov. Deneen over the
telephone that he had been to Wash
ington. and that President Taft and
Senator Aldrich wanted Lorimer elected.
This story, when published upon its first
appearance many months ago, was
promptly denied by President Taft. who
stated that he had never expressed any
interest In the personal outcome Of the
fight, but hoped that a Republican would
be elected. Senator Aldrich, who is not
in the city and whose name Is brought
into the matter for the first time. will
appear and make his statement in due
time.
Mr.. Cooks recollection Of Hines con-
versation was most vivid. He said that
he head Hines tell Gov. Deneen over
the telephone in the Grand Pacific Hotel
that he would have all the money neces-
sary to elect Lorimer. He also remem-
bered that Hines said that he had
elected Senator Stephenson, and then
Stephenson had voted for free lumber;
that Representative Boutell, now Minis
ter TO Switzerland. would have been
made Senator IL he had not worked for
free lumber, and that Lorimer would
get the place because he would stand
pat on the lumber question.
Animus of Witness shown.
In his cross-examination by william
]. Hynes, counsel for Edward Hines, Mr..
Cook admitted he felt animosity toward
Mr.. Hines over business deals. For sew
erai hours Mr.. Hynes asked questions
tending to show that Mr.. Cook had at
tempted to compel Mr.. Hines to purchase
his stock in the Virginia and Rainy Lake
Lumber Company and had threatened
Mr.. Hines with public exposure If he
would not do so.
Mr.. Cook also testified that Christian
H. wiche, Mr.. Hines brother-in-law, and
secretary Of the Hines Lumber Company,
came to the Grand Pacific Hotel and
said that Senator Lorfmer had called up
Mr.. Hines on the phone and told him
that Mr. Cook and william H. O'Brien,
of st. Paul, Mimi, who also had heard
the telephone conversation between Mr..
Hines and Gov. Deneen, were in Chicago.
Mr. Cook testified that Mr.. wiche said
that Mr.. Hines wanted them to get out
of town so that they would not be sum-
moned by the grand jury, which was in
vestigating the Senatorial situation.
story Not Corroborated.
Mr.. O'Brien was later put on the stand, |
but failed to corroborate Cooks story of
the alleged phone conversation between |
Hines and Coy. Deneen. Mr.. O'Brien said |
he remembered that Hines had tele-
phoned to somebody, but as his hearing |
was bad he did not hear the converse
ton His only knowledge of the SUBJ
stance Of the conversation. Mr.. O'Brien /
said, was what Mr.. Cook had told him
about IT
Clarence s. Funk, general manager Of
the International Harvester Company.
who. on Monday. testified that Mr.. Hines
asked him for Q contribution from the
harvester company Of $4,000 to help pay
the expenses Of Senator Lorimer's cleo
tion. was on the stand for a few minutes
TO complete his cross-examina-
ton. Mr.. Funk told how he had become
with one Of the detectives who
had been employed to follow him. Sub
poenas have been served on three of the
four detectives who followed Mr.. Funk
10 Washington, and they win appear as
witnesses before the committee.