The Washington times., 1912-10-04

Mr.. Morgan on Thursday testified to
the committee that he had given q
total of nso.ooo to the Roosevelt fund
Gives Convincing Testimony.
1t was a most convincing analysis
OF the facts and the testimony Of all
sides. that Colonel Roosevelt made to
the committee. He showed that when.
in 1904. the various interests contrib
uted to his campaign fund, his. Ad-
ministration had already taken action
that amounted to service of express
notice that they could expect no favor
He had had brush with the Standard
OIL Company, which tried to prevent
passage of the law establishing the
Bureau OF Corporations, and he sue
ceeded In getting that act passed, only
by dint OF making public some tele-
grams, sent by John d. Rockefeller, tr.,
and Henry. ii Rogers, In opposition to
that bill. he publication Of this proof
line up Senators against the legislation.
was the very thing, Mr.. Roosevelt said,
that aroused public attention and forced
tpne passage oi the measure.
That, and following Il the beginning
Of an investigation Of the STANDARD oil
company through the Bureau OF Cor
poratons. al happened during the first
Administration. II could hardly have
tett the standard doubtful that the Ad-
ministration would oppose and fight It
II 1t did anyahing wron. That II was
paying for favor or immunity, with
campaign funds. was made quite impos-
sible to believe.
Morgan Not Favored.
That the house of Morgan was paying
for favors was just as impossible In
view Of the prosecution Of the Northern
Securities Company, and the settlement
Of the coal strike.
Colonel Roosevelt's testimony was
given with the air OF a man who. know
ing himself the defendant, also knows
that he has complete and sweeping
case to prove his innocence. He ar
rived this morning from New York, and
appeared at the committee room u few
minutes before time for the session to
open. After his wonderful campaign
ing trip of u,0O0 miles clear around the
country, he looked bronzed and tanned,
but was full Of his accustomed fire and
vigor.
Accompanied by william Loeb, once
his secretary, now collector OF the port
OF New York. and stenographer and
secretary, Mr.. Roosevelt was armed
with books of letter-press copies, docu-
ments, files, and everything he could
need In the complete presentation OF
his case
He frequently referred to these. and
read extensive extracts from them.
Glad for the Record.
But the manifestly most important
feature of the occasion, to the former
President. was the opportunity to get
into the record a clear. complete, COM
nact analysis OF the whole situation,
that should be SO detailed and yet so
his position In all campaign fund mat
tiers. He pointed out that II was on his
recommendation, and because of his
persistent urgings that legislation had
passed for the prevention OF corporation
contributions to campaign funds.
The corridors Of the Senate Office
building. leading to the rooms OF the
Clapp Committee, were crowded hong
was cheered by those outside when he
arrived. and again by those inside when
he presented himself. But during his
testimony there was very close atten-
ton, little Of applause or merriment.
Occasionally his sallies brought a mo-
mentary laugh. but It was quickly sup
pressed, because everybody was anx-
ious to catch the least word
Roosevelt Takes Stand.
Colonel Roosevelt was greeted with
little burst Of clapping as he entered
the room. after the committee men,
bers had filed In and taken their seats.
He took his stand on the little plat
form placed for the witness, raised his
hand and was sworn before he seated
himself. Chairman Clapp plunged with
out preliminaries into the examination.
The colonel admitted his identity as
Theodore Roosevelt. his residence as
that he was candidate for President
In 1904: also that Gorge B. Cortelyou
was chairman. and Cornelius N. Bliss
treasurer, OF the national committee
Then he was asked:
Has your attention been called to the
Testimony Of John d. Archbold before
this committee, on August 23." ;.
1T has" replied the former Presl-
dent. with the inimitable Roosevelt In
tonation and sharpness that always car
ries suggestion of special apprecia-
ton OF concealed humor in the Inquiry
you may state" went on the chair.
man, what you knew at the time OF
the alleged contribution by Mr.. Arch.
bold to Mr.. Bliss, of the fact of the
contribution being either asked for oil
"Mr. Chairman" replied the witness
"may ! treat the letter l sent you al
part of my answer"
@"Under oath as witness. yes"
Adds to the Letter.
'It appears as part of the record.
have two or three things to add to that
letter now." explained Colonel Roose.
welt, "In the first place, since | wa.
elected governor of New York. abou
fourteen years ago, ] have written ant
signed about hundred thousand let
to remember all. Looking through my
letter-books. l find tow other letters
dealing with campaign contributions
One was the letter to Mr. Bliss. which
has already been put before you anC
printed. as ] understand. The lette
explains itself. will read It In evi
dence, because In my letter to yol
(Senator Clapp) ] did not give 1t In full
as ! was referring only to Mr.. Arch
bold's statement"
The witness then read:
"'0yster Bay, N. Y.
September FL. 1905
"'My dear Sheldon:
81 have been informed that you, o
some one on behalf of the nationa
committee, have requested contribu
tions both from Mr.. Archbold and MI
Hartman. II this 10 true, wish t
enter a most earnest protest, and 4
say that In my judgment not onl!
should such contributions not be so
licited but II rendered they shoul,
be refused: and II they have been ac
cepted tfey should Immediately be re
turned. l am not the candidate, bu
am the head of the Republican Ad
ministration, which is an issue II
this campaign, and l protest mos
earnestly against men whom we ar
prosecuting being asked to contribut
to elect a President who will appoin
an Attorney General to continue thes
prosecutions
The Money Returned.