Imperial Valley press., 1912-10-01

influencing legislation in both the SEN
ate and house?
What senators and representatives
have been in intimate correspondence
with trust heads?
How much have gigantic corpora
tions given to influence nominations
and elections?
These are some of the principal
questions to be brought out by scores
Of witnesses ordered to appear before
the committee.
The investigation is being conduct
ed by select committee of five SEN
ators under authority Of the so-called
"Penrose resolution" passed by the
senate last August just before congress
adjourned. Senator Clapp, the Min
nesota Progressive, is chairman. 9th
er committeeman are Senators Oliver
(Rep,) Pa, Jones (Rep, Wash), Pom
creme Dem., Ohio, and Paynter (Dem.
Kentucky.
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin
widened the scope Of the probe by
succeededing, during the antead journ
ment fight last August, in directing
that the committee inquire into all
correspondence affecting legislation
between senators and representatives
The original resolution of Senator Pen
rose contemplated merely an inquiry
into the amount of money contributed d
to campaign funds by corporations and
financial leaders.
Awaiting examination regarding &
campaign contributions are Colonel
Roosevelt, George B. Cortelyou, George
w. Perkins, Cornelius N. Bliss Jr., Sen
ator Dixon, Roosevelt's campaign man
ager; Treasurer Sheldon of the ma
tional Republican committee, and an
te-convention campaign managers of
Gov. Woodrow Wilson, Speaker Clark
Representative Oscar Underwood, Gov
ernor Harmon of Ohio and other can
didates at the recent party conven-
tions.
Colonel Roosevelt is scheduled to
testify tomorrow. He is to reply to
charges Of Senator Penrose and John
D. Archbold. manager of Standard Oil
that the oil trust contributed $125, 600
to Colonel Roosevelts campaign cof-
fers in 1904. Archbold recently testi-
fed that he gave that sum and that
Mr.. Roosevelt when president, per
secuted" the Standard Oil Company
with department of justice prosecu-
tions because an additional $15O,0OO
contribution was refused former Treas
urer Cornelius N. Bliss of the Repub-
lican national committee.
Senator Penrose's alleged relations
with Standard Oil are also under fire
William r. Hearst is expected to pro
duce sheaves of letters, said to have
been stolen from Archbold's private
letter files, between Penrose and Arch
bold regarding legislation and cam
pa'gn affairs
who contributed to Democratic and
Republican campaign funds as faI
back Is 1900 will De prohed by the
committee, Colonel Roosevelt is the
special target of some of those behind
the investigation. Senator La Toilette
also promises a complete expose of his
financial backing last fall and winter
What diplomats have contributed 10
campaign funds is another phase OF
the investigation.
How much Brother Charley" Taft
aided financially in President Tafts
election and nomination four years ago
is still another proposed feature OF
the investigation.
]. Pierpont Morgan, Colonel Colt OF
the rubber trust and other Wall street
powers have been mentioned as prob
able witnesses of the committee. Tes
timony of William Rock efeller and di-
rectors of Standard Oil regarding cam
pa'gn gifts is also desired by the com
mittee. i.
1t is proposed to hold all of the
meetings in Washington. although ii
is possible the committee may go to
New York to examine several wit
neSses.
Technically, the testimony is de-
sired to secure Official information
for framing a corrupt practices act in
congress, but campaign thunder is the
immediate product Of the investiga
tinn