Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-08-23
Testimony Given May Help
Settle Dispute Between
PenrOSe and Roosevelt
CORPORATION Contributions
We're Given to HeIp
Roosevelt Campaign
BY Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, August 23~-John
d. Archbold pictured to the public as
political manager, and directing geni-
us of the Standard Oil company, took
the witness stand today before the
senate committee investigating cam
paign funds to tell his version of con-
tributions to the campaign Of 1904,
now the subject Of dispute between
Senator Penrose and Roosevelt.
The star witness appeared at the
hearing room half an hour before the
appointed time, and chatted with Sen
ator Clapp and Senator Jones. Sem
ator Penrose appeared ten minutes
after Archbold arrived. Messengers
were hurried out to get Senator'S Oh
liver and POmerene who were to sit
as members of the committee.
When the committee finally as
sembled, Archbold was sworn, and
Senator Clapp asked him what contri-
button the Standard Oil Company had
made to the campaign Of 1904.
I'VE made two contributions to the
republican campaign in 1904, one to
Cornelius N. Bliss of 100000 and the
other to Senator Penrose OF $25, ,00O."5
replied Archbold.
do you know when the contribu-
ton of 100000 to the republican
campaign fund was made?" asked
Clapp.
Il have not the date in mind" said
Archbold, nor have l had time to
thoroughly search with reference to
it. My best recollection is that it was
some time in September, 1904. l
think about the middle Of Septem-
ber."
"By check?' asked Clapp.
my recollection is that it was CIV
en- Bliss in currency.
"WhO was PRESENT.
ITO the best of my recollection I
was alone, and at my office"
Have you any written data with
which to fix the date?"
Bliss gave me receipt. but in
such an investigation as have been
able to make before hastened here.
have not been able to find It. hope
to do so.'
Had you had any previous talk
with Bliss as to this matter before
you made the contributions" Clapp
asked
"Yes. Some time before, either 1t
my office or at that of H. H. Rodgers"
replied Archbold. I'VE had a talk
about politics and contributions, and
| said the matter would have to be.
submitted to our board. 1t was sub
mitted later and the board decided to-
contribute"
"Was the $4,000 contribution to-
Senator Penrose in the form Of q,
check?" ......
81 cannot say. My letter books
show no record Of any such letter as
has been published. The signature Of
that letter is very unlike mine.'
Archbold said the payment to Pen
rose probably was in currency.
"You were the man in the Standard
Oil Company who had charge of these
political matters" suggested Clapp.
only in Pennsylvania and Ohio
where | had known relations of our
business"
Subsequent to these contributions.
Archbold said he talked with Bliss
not later than October 10 about fur
ther contributions.
What was the result of these con-
fercnces?" asked Clapp.
"We decided not to make any fur.
ther contributions"
Archbold said in the 1904 campaign
he was not connected with the steel,
tobacco or sugar corporations or any
railroad combination, and that he had
not discussed with their repesenta-
tives that named the campaign cons
tributions. He said he told E'liss he
wanted his contribution understood
and appreciated by Roosevelt, and
Bliss assured him such would be the
case. He said Bliss assured him 4
contribution wa acceptable and that
further contributions would be accept
able.
Later Archibald said when the bu-
reau OF corporations began making
adverse reports on the Standard Oil Z
company, Bliss admitted the govern
ment's attacks we're unjust, but said
CONTINUED on page g I.s3