Evening journal., 1911-07-20
ALDRICH DENIES
STORY OF HINES
Says He Only Was Interested
to See a Republican Senator
From Illinois
IN Nc United Prese.

BY The United Press.
WASHINGTON, July 20--Flat de-
NAL of the story by Edward Hines
that President Taft and Senator Aid
rich sent word to the conflicting fac
tons in the Illinois Legislature that
Lorimer was their choice for the sena-
torship, was made today to the Senate
Investigating Committee by former
Senator Nelson W Aldrich Of Rhode
Island.
The former boss OF the Senate de-
clared that he and the President were
only interested in the Illinois sena-
torial situation to the extent that
Republican be elected, and that the
Legislature make its choice before adj
iourning. Aldrich said he had OK
pressed no preference for Lorimer,
and denied that he had ever author
ICED Hines TO state that the blonde
boss" of Chicago was the choice of
I the administration.
Questioned by Attorney Marble.
! Aldrich said he had several converse
lions with Hines over the Illinois
situation.
"On whose initiative we're these CON
versations brought about?" asked
Marble
Il don't remember" answered Aid
rich, "the first was in April, 1909 Mr..
Hines at that time said that In his
Judgment Hopkins could not be elect
ed ] said TO him that the President
desired a Republican Senator from
Illinois; that he was friendly to Hop
lSins because the latter has received
the largest vote in the Senatorial pri-
mary, but that the President would
take no part in the contest. The
tariff was not discussed"
did you tell Hines that several
tariff schedules were in danger and
It was of great importance that Re.
publican vote be furnished by Hi
nois?"
q did not"
"In the second conversation con-
t tinued Aldrich, "Mr. Hines told me
that an effort was being made TO unite
on Congressman Boutell of Chicago
and he wanted to know what the Pres
ident thought of the congressman.
, ''In the next conversation, 7 inform
ed him that Boutell was agreeable &c
/ the President but that his only desire
was the election Of a Republican.
| "The next conversation was on MAY
q or %, 1909. Mr.. Hines said thai
there were good prospects that an
agreement could be reacehd on Lori
mer. He was anxious that I should FIND
out what the attitude Of the admins
. tration would be toward Lorimer.
81 saw him again that evening sftei
: having seen the President, and in
formed Mr.. Hines that Lorimers' can
4 didacy would not be Objectionable {,
= the President"
did YOU suggest to Hines the naml
of Lorimer as a candidate?"
mo, he suggested it to me-"
did you send any message by Nj
Hines to Governor Deneen or others u
Springfield regarding the election of
> SENATOR"
Z None whatever"
e did you suggest TO Hines that b
M telephone to Lorimer at Springhel
,s that the President and yourself d.
sired Lorimer's election?"
y "No. In my conversations with M
le Hines 7 undertook to impress him wit
le the fact that President Taft was in
terested simply in the election of
m Republican. but that he had no pei
sonal choice"
~ Senator Kenyon (Rep., Ia) Gillette
ID from ex-senator Aldrich the statemei
sr that he, Aldrich. never had an acti'
ID interest in the Illinois situation.
did you ask Senator Penrose
bring Hines to your office ia, discus
= the Illinois situation?" he asked
d ct did not" answered Aldrich.
! You and the President did nothir
to prevent the election of Hopkins,
y you?" asked Judge Hanecy.
Is Most certainly not" replied All
Is rich