Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-04
But Admits Contributions
Are Made by Cor
poratiOns.
C0RTELY0U BACKS HIM
Former President Talks Stead
lily for Two Hours to the
CIapp Committee.

washington, Oct. Il asked no
man to contribute TO my campaign
fund when ! was elected president,
and I wish TO reiterate that Bliss and
Cortelyou both assured me that no
promise had been made as a return
for any contribution. Neither they
nor any one else having authority
asked me to act or refrain from act
ing In any matter while ] was presi-
dent, because any contribution had
been made or withheld. Gentlemen,
could put It more sweepingly?"
REAsSURED ny CORTELH
In these words Theodore Roosevelt
summarized his testimony today at
the close of the first part OF his hear
ing before the Clapp committee Of the
SENATE investigating campaign funds.
He was TO continue in the witness
chair when the CON mmittee resumed
after luncheon. The color\' specifical-
ly denied he ever asked for cohtri-
buttons in the 1904 campaign fund,
or that he had known of any Contri-
button by J. =. Morgan. Roosevelt
added he had ordered the return TO
the Standard OH company of any con-
tributioh 1t might have made in 1904 !;
that he had been assured by George
Cortelyou only yesterday" that he
knew Of no such contribution; that
he did not believe Cornelius Bliss
had ever demanded a contribution
from Archbold or from any corpora
tion by any methods Of extortion.
ADMITS CORPORATION AID.
Roosevelt did not deny corporations
had contributed to the 1904 campaign.
lie said bis letters and publish
ed statements always acknowledged
that fact. but he specified no such
contributions were ever obtained un-
der any suggestion that the admin.
istration would reward the givers
with special faJJrs. The colonel was
a forceful and emphatic witness.
He talked two hours and was IN
terrupted but a half dozen times. His
testimony bristiled with characters
tic statements.
WANTS PENRoSE OUsTED.
Senator Penrose should be driver
from the senate" he declared. "be
cause OF his acknowledged friendli
ness with Standard Oil interests
Charles d. Hlles and Congressman
Bartholdt should be forced to prove
their statements that the Roosevelt
primary campaign funds this yeaI
amounted 20 three or four million, o.
should be driven out Of public life"
ALL HEARsAY EVIDENCE.
Asked about the Hartman fund.
Roosevelt interrupted and asked Il
explain the Charges that have bee.
made" in regular order, and Chair
man Clapp acquiesced.
There is no testimony against me
except in the form of hearsay evi
dence." the colonel said, "hearsa!
statements OF men that are dead
Archbold and Penrose purport to Civ,
statements OF what Bliss had to say
Bliss is dead Odell and other gehtle
men refer to statements made b.
Hartman. who is dead
Roosevelt said he had not intend
ed TO bring his former secretary. Wi
liam Loeb. into the controversy, bu
as the committee had already deter
miaed 10 call Loeb. he had aske
him TO bear out his statements. Tn
colonel then spoke of a letter put
lished in Hearst's Magazine from Co.
gresham Sibley.
DOES NOT REMEMBER.
at is a letter" the colonel said
(which in substance states that Sit
ley came TO see me TO speak TO m
about seeing Archbold and l said
would be delighted TO see him an
asked Sibley TO bring Archbold {
lunch. don't remember ever hav
ing talked TO Sibley on that matter
but II is very possible ! may hav
done so. Any tnvitation may hsv
extended was the result of a reQues
by Sibley always saw any ma
brought TO me by a congressman Q
senator"
The colonel did not remember eve
having talked with Sibley about Arcl
bold. He said Senator Bourne ha
once brought Archbold TO lunch &
Oyster Bay.
ALL TREATED ALIKE.
The colonel spoke slowly, will
was president. II any man. trut
msgnate, socialist. lawyer or clerg,
man, had any business with me an
wanted 10 see me ! gladly saw hin
II ! thought anything was TO be gail
ed from the standpoint of public Sc
vice in seeing any man. then. withol
waiting for him 10 ask. | would sen
for him. II elected president a yes
hence, II Rockefeller, or any one els
wants TO see me I'll see him. Nor
over. II have anything to ask Il
the public service from Rockefelle
Mr.. Morgan or any one else, I'll sen