Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-27
THE LoRIMER INVESTIGATION.
Editor KohIsaat Undergoes Searching
Examination.

Many figures of national promi-
nence were brought into the Lorimer
investigation last Saturday for the
first time, when Herman H. Kohlsaat,
editor and publisher of the Chicago
Record Herald, testified before the
senate committee investigating the
election of Senator Lorimer
Former President Roosevelts name
was linked with the investigation
when Mr.. Kohlsaat testified that last
August he told Col. Roosevelt the en-
tire story of the alleged attempt of
Edward Hines to collect $4,000 from
Clarence S. Funk, general manager
of the International Harvester COM
pany. to reimburse those who had con-
tributed 100000 Ito put Lorimer
across at Springfield. The ban of
secrecy was placed on the former
president, but Mr.. Kohlsaat testified
Col. Roosevelt wrote him that he de-
clined, because of Kohlsaats infor-
nation, to attend the Hamilton club
dinner in Chicago later in August,
1910, If Lorimer was to be there. The
Roosevelt letter will be placed in the
record Of the hearing.
The names of Senators Root, La
Toilette and Cullom were mentioned
in a new light. Mr.. Kohlsaat testi-
fed that he had informed these sena-
tors before the senate passed on the
Lorimer case of the conversation in
which Funk had told him of Hines
alleged attempt to collect money. To
these men, Mr.. Kohlsaat did not men
ton names because he considered him
self under a pledge of secrecy to Mr..
tunk not to do so. Mr.. Kohlsaat
mentioned Senator Cullom's name
only at the close of the days session.
Former Speaker Cannon and For
mer Representative Tawney Of Mime
sofa inquired in the days testimony.
Judge Hancy, counsel for Senator
Lorimer, asked the witness II Senator
Lorimer in 1903 had not dropped q
libel suit against Mr.. Kohlsaat be-
cause Cannon and Tawney told him
it was feared If such were not drop
ped, the Chicago Record-Herald
would not support Roosevelt for pres
ident in 1904.
That is so ridiculous that no an
swer is needed to it," declared Mr..
Kohlsaat.
He also denied that the suit was
dropped because 1t was made a con-
uition of Gov. Deneen's doing a favor
for a young man in trouble who was
Lorimer's friend.
The witness underwent long
cross examination by counsel for Sem
ator Lorimer. He was asked If he did
not tell the Funk story to every news
paper in Chicago. The witness said
he could not remember II he had, al
though he had spoken Of 1t without
mentioning names to several persons.
He was asked If he had not given 1t
o 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 Outlook" inquired
Judge Hancy.
NO, sir"
Didn't you give it to Theodore
ROOSEVELT"
"Oh, yes"
He was asked If he had not told a
Chicago detective who came to his Of
flee to see if he had any work that
the newspapers Of the country had
organized to fight Lorimer.
Perfectly absurd" declared the
witness.
He was asked If he did not refuse
to give the name Of his informant
(Funk) when first called before the
first investigating committee at
Springfield, because he wanted to ap-
pear as sort or martyr.
The witness Strengthened up, look
ed at Judge Hancy and said:
IF there were not ladies present"
Then as he sank back into his chair
he added, Il would quote one Of Eu-
gene Fields poems to YOU"
Suppose you answer the question
first" suggested Judge Hancy.
mo, sir / was not playing to the
galleries"
Judge Hancy asked the witness IL
he did not think 1t was an unjustifiable
thing to take information secretly to
senator's who were to judge Lorimer,
without giving the state of Illinois,
Lorimer or his family a chance to de-
fend themselves against serious
charges. He said he did not distin-
guish senators from members of
courts in relation to giving them in
formation.
Several times during his examina-
ton Mr.. Kohlsaat declared he abso-
lutely believed what Mr.. Funk told
him. Another striking feature of his
testimony was his repeated state
ments that he found much to admire
in Senator Lorimer's private life. He
referred to the senator's life as ideal.
What 1 have been fighting for
twenty years is Lorimerism, he de-
clared.