New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-04
Saws His Firm Never Made a
Single Subscription with Any
Promise or Expectation
Tied to 1t in Any Way,
Shape or Manner.
PERKINS ACTIVE IN 1904
Steel Company Then Gave $4,000 for
Colonel-Mr. Morgan Declares That
Little Gratitude Was Shown for
Gifts-He Gave Without Con-
sulting Other Interests.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau J

SultluB StHcl tutciCoeo'
From The Tribune Bureau.l
Washington. oct. 3.-J. Pierpont Nor
gan, suave of manner and affable In
demeanor, appeared as witness 90
day before the Senate campaign in
vestigation committee TO tell the story
OF his contributions to Presidential
campa' 8. After the stormy scenes OF
the preceding days, when Senator
Dixon defied and Boss" William Finn
argued persistently with the members
Of the committee, the hearing OF the
New York financier was more like a
conversation In a club corner
There was not a little speculation
among the curious crowd that filled the
committee room whether the hearing
ot Colonel Roosevelt, who will take the
stand tomorrow, would be as devoid OF
exciting incidents.
The story told by Mr.. Morgan was
short. He said that he had contributed
TO Cornelius n. Bliss 100000 for the
Roosevelt campaign of 1904 without
any hope of reward. and that later, at
the solicitation OF various leaders, he
had given an additional SJO,vOo. pre-
surnably "A part OF the Hartman fund.
which, he believed. was devoted mainly
70 the campaign In New York State.
He also denied the story that in the
presence Of Wayne MacVeagh he had a
conversation with President Roosevelt
over the long distance telephone. He
denied that he had ever had conver-
sation with the ex-President at any
time.
Mr.. Morgan showed no disposition to
evade the questions OF the members OF
the committee. His replies were given
readily and were direct. He was most
emphatic in making a statement con-
cerninG the policy OF his firm with re-
spect to campaign contributions.
"a want il distinctly understood" he
said. after asking il he might make tho
statement, tndt ~ - "'o' va" =" w.
never made single subscription 20
any election with any promise or eS-
pectation Of anything or return in any
way, shape or manner, and we nevor
made il without we deemed il advan-
taaeous for the government and tho
people. We never had a communica. :.
ton from any candidate. We never
had an application from any candidate
for money, and anything that we did or
that was done under my suggestions-
and we were all in harmony-was that
IL was necessary for the good OF the
country and tho business Of tho people,
and Il was done, and there was mover q
commitment Of any expectation Of any
return, and we mover got any return,
either, from anybody If ! may be al
lowed"
At times there was touch OF humor
In the replies OF the financier which
brought smiles from the members OF
the committee and served still more to
give the impression that the hearing
-
was a conversation instead of an in
uuisition. At times he chuckled glee-
fully. as when he told the committee
that there was no limit" TO the
amount the Republican campaign COM
mittee in 1904 was willing to accept.
Takes Hecklins Good -NatursdIy.
MIR. Morgan took his heckling by the
committee in a holiday spirit. and
laughed heartily as in leaving he told
Chairman Clapp that he guessed" his
expenses and witness fees would be
all right"
George w. Perkins, then a partner OF
Mr.. Morgan and now the chief finan-
ciaI hacker Of Colonel Roosevelt, was
very frmly planted on the job even In
,hose earlier days. AS Mr.. Morgan de-
scribed II. when asked whether the in
surance companies were contributing
much in 1901:
81 don't know. / never heard any
thing about insurance companies ex-
cept through Mr.. Perkins. who was d
trustee of the New York Life. OF
course, when he came In from the
meetings | would say, Perkins, how
do they feel around there to-day and
n. would tell me. | do not remembe.
the details, however.
Mr.. Morgan gave ample proof that
he w s something of political rhiloso-
pher when he gave this sidelight on
the Roosevelt method Of getting contri-
buttons in 1904:
"Yes. / remember Cortelyou being In
the office once or twice on this sub
jcct"
Was ANYTHING said as to the amount
they desired 20 raise at that timer
asked S. nator Pomerene.
Il do not think there was any limit
Continued ON sixth page. second column.