The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-17
BELMONT TELLS OF FUNDSUSED IN JUDGE PARKER'S CAMPAIGN Says Less Than a Million Dollars-He Gave Quar-
 ter of That SUGAR MAGNATE'S
 MONEY UNDESIRABLE Henry Hayemeyer Offered $1O,O00, But It Was Returned to Him.
 Belmont Denies He Expected
 Any Return From Parker
 

 vestigation of campaign contributions in the elections of 1904 and 1908 turned today 10 an inquiry of the democratic funds used in Alton B. Parkers campaign of ls4. August Belmont told the senators he personally contributed about $25o,0oo, and the total amount in the war chest had been less than sl,e00,00O
 Postmaster General Frank G. Hitchcock chairman of the republican national com mittee in 1908. will testify tomorrow about the contributions to President Tafts first campaign fund. and Thursday William F.. Sheehan, a member of the democratic na- tional executive committese in 1904, will be a witness.
 Refused One Contribution
 Mir. Belmont told the senators today of one contribution from a man representing a corporation which, he said, was refused by his committee in 1901. It was offered by the late Henry Havenmeyer the sugar king, and was declined because it was thought undesirable. The contribution was $l0.O00, he thought.
 The senators wanted to know how MT. Belmont came to give s25o,co0 to the Park CT campaign. He explained he had con- tributed when deficits occurred.
 My habit has been that if feel re- sponsible for anything my obligation is not measured In dollars and cents," said he.
 When asked if he expected or had been promised anything in return for his time and contributions MT. Belmont said:
 T contributed purely as democrat"
 He told first of advancing s5oOOo to the democratic national committee He said he had been reimbursed s42Ooo.
 The capitalist remembered he had paid two small items of slOoo each to Maurice Cucor, Hungarian leader in New York
 Memory Is Poor
 Senator Jones asked Mr. Belmont for the total of his contribution. He thought he could not remember. | 'Whs it more than $50,ed?"
 "Oh, yes"
 "one hundred thousand?"
 Tt must have been more than that" Was 1t $2500 0002f Senator Jones per- sisted.
 Tt must have been. I tried to remem- Der but cannot said Mir Belmont
 Senator Jones tried a new tack. Did you contribute by cash or check?" Very often by cash.''
 And check?" queried Senator Paynter
 Seldom by check l cannot remember the exact amount but am satisfied with an estimate of $25Q000.
 Senator Jones asked Mir Belmont how much he contributed in addition to the s250,000 given to the national campaign The witness replied he always contributed to the campaign in his own locality and to the state campaign. He was not able to tell how much that made in addition to the s250, GOO,
 Do you care to give any reasons why you cont ibuted so large a sum?" in- quired Senator Jones. "I was very active in the nomination." began MT. Belmont, and had been se- lected to serve on the committee. and when funds did not come in l Just con- tributed I never intended to make any such contribution, but when deficits arose contributed''
 MT. Belmont was asked if he had any understanding of reward from Judge Parker, the presidential candidate. From the very outset Judge Parker was free and independent man and remained so." he said. Did you expect any favors?'' "On the contrary, Judge Parker un- derstood from me that there would be nothing l could accept was very
  contributed purely A democrat
 Unable to Give Accurate Estimate
 MT Belmont was unable to give an accurate estimate of the total of the funds a the disposal of the demo- cratic national committee in 1904 When Senator clapp asked if it were a mill lion dollars, MT Belmont "guessed' 1t was not more than $6O0,000 or $700. 900.
 T never asked for the specific amount added MT. Belmont, by way of explanation. You see these things are not conducted like a business con cern Keeping accounts Is expensive, and doubt if any committee ever did it before 1t was under obligation to do so.'
 Did you solicit money from your friends and acquaintances?" asked Sem ator Clapp.
 Some, yes"
 He mentioned the names of several New Workers. Wall street he said, gave little.
 "Who was the most active in raising funds? the chairman asked.
 "Oh, that is a thing no one de- votes all his time to. Every democrat was supposed to contribute"