New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-26
DIDN'T KNOW WHOLE STATES FOR I. R.
Sheldon Says Colonel Heard OF
Hartman Fund After Election.
DOES NOT RECALL LETTER
Tells Senate Committee Nor
gan and Frick Aided Cam
paign in 1904.

paign in 1904.
Washington. July 25.-George r. Shell
don. treasurer OF the Republican National
Committee in 1903, to-day told the Senate
committee investigating campaign funds
his version Of the late Edward II. Harri-
mans contribution to President Roose-
vet's campaign in 1904.
Mr.. Sheldon said he knew unoffcially
that ]. p Morgan & Co. and Henry G.
Frick were contributors in 1901. Cor
nelIus n. Bliss was treasurer then. but
Mr.. Sheldon was associated with him In
an unofficial capacity. He could not re-
member the amounts which the Morgan
firm or Mr. Frick gave in 1904. but classes
them among the large contributors to
that campaign. The books which Mr..
Sheldon as treasurer kept In 1903 were
produced for inspection OF the committees.
Senator Paynter introduced the subject
OF Mr.. HarrIman's contribution. He said
he had heard it discussed. and asked Mr..
Sheldon to tell what he knew about 1t.
THAT has all been printed-my letter
TO Mr. Roosevelt" responded Mr.. Shell
don.
II did not recall that you had written
anything. Tell us anyway"
Hartman and Bliss Got s25o,ooo.
About two weeks before the election"
said Mr.. Sheldon. Governor Odell, who
was state chairman, came to Mr.. Bliss,
then treasurer OF the Republican National
Committee, and stated that whereas 1t
was perfectly clear that Mr.. Roosevelt
would be elected the state ticket was in
doubt. He asked for some money. Mr..
Bliss said he had no money. but he would
see what he could do. He went to Mr..
Hartman and Mr.. Hartman got-Mr.
Hartman with Mr.. Bliss-got together
some $4,000, and that money was handed
TO the state committee and never went
into the national committee"
Did Mr.. Hartman see anyone else be-
fore he contributed? My memory of
events Is a little hazy," said Senator
Paynter.
II assume that he did not" replied Mr..
Sheldon.
wasn't It a subject Of correspondence
between Mr.. Hartman and Mr.. Roose-
velt?"
NO. sir. Mr.. Roosevelt never knew
anything about it until long after the
election"
What was there about letter which
disappeared from Mr. Harrimans fles?'
81 know nothing about the letter"
Wasn't the public first apprised OF this
contribution through a letter the Presi-
dent had written 10 Mr.. Hartmann"
81 cannot tell YOU" replied Mr.. Shell
don.
you said that Mr.. Roosevelt knew
nothing of II until after the election. BY
that you mean that you have no knowl-
edge OF his knowing"
II had no knowledge"
Some of the committee We're surprised
that Chairman Clapp questioned Mr.. Shell
don about the 1874 campaign. instead OF
that OF 1903.
do you know OF any contribution in
1894 by any one connected with the United
States Steel CorporationT' inquired MI.
Clapp.
Didrt Recall About TRUSTS"
1T is difficult TO answer that: not TO my
personal knowledge" replied Mr.. Sheldon.
He gave similar answers TO questions
about the Tobacco Trust" the "Harves-
ter Trust" the Sugar Trust" Standard
OIL the American Protective Tariff
League and various manufacturers asso-
Citations
II was when Senator Clapp asked Mr..
Sheldon for his recollection OF contribu-
ttora aboyo e. OnO In lo0i that the. witnpSs
mentioned ]. F. Morgan & Co. and Henry
c. Frlck. lie was unable to say definite
" what others contributed to that cam
paign. He was confused as to the con-
tributors to the campaigns OF 1896, 1900.
1904 and 1908.
How do you happen to remember that
these two contributed In 1902" insisted
Senator Paynter.
Because they told me So
who told you-Mr. Morgan?
mo: one OF his firm, and Mr.. Frick
Mr.. Sheldon referred to his books and
said the contributions TO the national
in 1908 amounted 10 H,655, SIS q.
The Senate committee has been trying
to get Ex-Governor Odell of New York to
testify about the Hartman contribution.
He may appear later. The committee has
not taken up the question of asking Col
onel Roosevelt to testify.
Mr.. Sheldon was excused to-day with
the understanding that he might be re-
called after tho committee had examined
the books.