New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-03
floss AFTER ROOSEVELT
Says Ex.President and Others
Violated Election Law.
ADVERTISING TO BE PROBED
District Attorney Will Investi-
gate Charges of Soliciting
Contributions.

Boston, Nov. 2.-Chargcs by Governor
Foss that certain corporations and mol
viduals among them Theodore Roosevelt
caused to be published for circulation III
this state political advertisements not
signed in accordance with the statutes OF
1905. resulted I'm the announcement by DIS
trict Attorney Joseph g. Pelletier To-Day
that he will lay the subject OF political au-
vertisng before the grand jury. The DIS
trct Attorney began his investigation by
the tressurcrs Of the Repubn-
can and Democratic state committees 10
submit their books to him for examination.
Governor Foss, I'm "A remarkable letter 10
the District Attorney. called attention TO
alleged violations OF Chapter 4S3 of the acts
of 1908, entitled AN act TO prohibit the
making OF political contributions by busi-
ness corporations" and OF Chapter 5sl OF
the laws OF 1907. entitled AN act TO pro-
hibit the publication OF unsigned poiiucal
advertisements and the making by certain
corporations Of political contributions
Accuses Roosevelt and Associates.
Governor Foss alleges that Chairman
Charles l.. Hatfield and the other ohcers
OF the Republican state Committee violated
the statutes by appealing 10 corporations
for financial support. Two circulars to the
Boston Blower Company. Of Hyde Park, arc
quoted by Governor Foss. The Governor
also charges that Theodore Roosevelt. Ly-
man Abbott and Hamilton w. Mabic, edi-
tors Of "The Outlook; The Boston her-
aid" the officers of the United Shoe Ma
chinery Company. the American Nooleii
Company. the Farr Alpaca Company ana
the Arkwreht Club published or caused 10
be published for circulation in this state
political advertisements not signed in ac-
cordance with the statutes Of 1908. The al
vertisements, 1t is maintained, were an
tagonistlc to the Democratic candidates in
the state campaign.
Among others whom Governor Foss
wants the District Attorney to call before
him are Henry Cabot Lodge and w Muir
ray Crane, United states Senators from
massachusetts Louis A. rockingham and
Robert A. Luce, Republican candidates for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, re-
spectivey.
The Governor, in his communication 10
Mr.. Pelletier. said:
I bring to your attention the nagrant yio-
lations which are being committed in SUI
folk County of the statutes Of this COM
monwealth prohibiting certain practices
and safeguarding the rights OF candidates
and of the voters in elections ara ! can
upon you TO cause an investigation TO he
made and where probable cause IS
shown. TO bring presentments against me
persons who appear TO be guilty before the
grand jury of suffolk County 10 pr9Cu..e
indictments where possible and 10 prosecute
the same.
Objects to Tariff Article.
The Governor declares that Lyman Abb
bolt editor in chief; Hamilton w Mabie,
associate editor. and Theodore Roosevelt,
editor OF The Outlook and
Lawrence r. Abbott, president; William y.
Rowland. treasurer, and Karl V. s. How
land. secretary. Of the outlook Company,
violated the law by publishing in the edi-
ton of THE outlook" copy issued under
date of October IS. 1911. and for circulation
I'm tho county Of Suffolk and throughout
the commonwealth OF Massachusetts during
the state election Of pl, an article entitled
"A Tariff for-what?'' being denuncia-
ton OF Democrats and others Who advocate
"anv change-of any kind-no matter now
il NAV seem-nor now really
good il sounds" being the reading OF let
fer under the page heading The OUTLOOK
Advertising Section" and purporting TO be
an imnartial review OF Schedule Is or the
AIdrich tariff. written by one George
r. SPENCER. but being in reality aipohticai
cartoon and attacking the Democratic can
didates in the Massachusetts state eiectloh
M 1911 and being unsigned and in other
wavs wanting in compliance with the said
statute OF 1908.
State Committee Explains.
In reference to the charge of Governor
Foss that the Republican State Conihl''ee
had violated the law by soliciting ca"-
paien contributors from the Boston blow
or COMPANY the state committee Issued an
statement tonight. This state
mont which is signed by Chairman Charles
F. Hatfield and Secretary John a. curtin
of the committee, says in part:
II has been the practice Of the state coiii-
mite for MANY years TO solicit moderate
from Republicans through
ont the state who believe in ana desire
the success of the party. 10 tiilS eha
card index has been kept containing the
rames of about 1900 Republicans. Upon
the massage in 1907, of the acts foroiddlAS
contributions by candidates ana corpora
tions, the card index was careiuny ro
of every corporation throughout the state
was removed. , ,,
name az the Boston Blower Company was
not removed, and with so large a iist OF
names it would be strange indeed II some
few unintentional errors did not occur;
The card index was, as usual, placed ~
the hands Of a mailing company and the
letters to which Mr.. Foss refers were sent
ont 5y that company. There was no ac-
tual knowledge OH the part OF any officer
or member of the Republican state COM
mittee OF the sending Of these letters to
the Boston Blower Company and no con
tribution was received from this concern.
In every way the committee has sought
10 comply explicitly with the Jaw. Not
single dollar has been accepted from any
and none VIII be.
Through his secretary Mr.. Roosevelt said
Yesterday he had no comment to make in
reply to the attack on him by Governor
Foss
"MUST BACK UP TREATIES"