The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-12-17
Publisher Was a Highly IN
teresting Witness Before
Campaign Expense Com
mittee of Senate.
SHOWS TWO PUBLIC
MEN TOOK "LOANS'
Hearst Has a Few Others Up
His Sleeve and Will Read
Them to Committee in Pri-
Vate Session.
(Nstional News Association

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17-William
Randolph Hearst was the principal
witness before the Clapp campaign ex-
pense Investigating committee of the
senate today and he produced several
heretofore unpublished letters alleged
to have been written by John D. Arch
bold, the Standard Oil magnate, which
We're highly sensational. Mr.. Hearst
is to read few other important letters
to the committee in executive session
Mr. Hearst, the first witDess, gave
his occupation as a journalist and pub
Usher.
Question by Senator Clapp-"You
are owner OF Hearst's magazine"
Answer-'1 am"
Question-"During the past year
there have been published in this mag
azine a number of letters purporting to
have passed between John D. Arch
bold of the Standard Oil and several
men in public life Do you know of
these letters?"
Answer-"I do"
Question-"Have you any other let
ters?"
Answer-1 have a few
Senator Clapp then asked the wit
ness to produce the documents. Hearst
handed over a number of photographs
of letters. Mr.. Hearst said he did not
have the originals and did not know
who did, or who had made the photo
graphs. They came to him in Septem-
ber 1908, he said.
Paid BY Archbold.
The letters concerning which Hearst
was questioned were those published
in Hearst's magazine showing that
John D. Archbold of the Standard Oil
company had had intimate correspond
ence with men in public life, had paid
them money and was in a position to
demand favors of them.
Former Representative Charles H.
Grosvenor, former Senator Foraker Of
Ohio; former representative Sibley of
Pennsylvania, Senator Penrose of
Pennsylvania and others were impIi-
Gated in the letters. Hearst was asked
from whom he got the Photographic
copies. The witness demurred but on
insistence from the committee said,
L
of the first four articles of the series,
Mr.. John L. Eddy, now residing in
London,
Mr.. Hearst then presented to the
committee a number of other letters
which have not yet been published.
Chairman Clapp requested that they
be read. The first was dated Decem-
ber 4, 1903, and was from Boise Pen
rose to John D. Archbold 1t read in
part:
q regard this matter as of very
great Importance and l will see Sena-
tor Aldrich if you so desire"
A Letter to Foraker.
A letter was then read in which
Archbold, communicating with former
Senator Foraker said:
"In reference to our talk will make
you the loan of $4,000; $4,000 to be
paid Immediately and the remainder
in $1,000 notes"
The next letter was written by Arch
bold to Rep. Sibley. In this missive he
informs Sibley that a certificate of de-
posit of $4,000 had been sent him at
the request of Mr.. Gibson. The letter
add "of the purpose of this you are no
doubt aware
Another letter in March, 1900. to
Senator Foraker related to Ohio legis-
lation, while still another, written
March 8, 1900. read:
My Dear Senator Foraker have
your favor of last night, Perhaps it
would be better to make a demonstra-
tion against the whole bill. Surely the
also a similar clause in Rep. Races
bill Am very glad to hear you think
the situation is we'll in hand
John D. Archbold"
Has A Few Others
Mr.. Hearst admitted possessing still
other letters and the committee insist
ed that they be produced When Mr..
Hearst demurred saying that he did
not care to have these letters made
public at this time the committee de-
cided to go into executive session to
examine the rest of the Archbold let
tiers, which the witness promised to
produce as soon as he could get them.
In answer to Chairman Clapps ques-
ton Mr.. Hearst said he had never
paid cent for the copies of these let
tiers. Hearst stated that his belief is
that Eddy Will come from London to
testify before the committee if asked.
Regarding the charge that some of
the letters were forgeries Mr.. Hearst
{Cnnttnna6 IN para Ciyl