Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-23
Witness Says Beverage Re-
iected Campaign Contribution.
MONEY SENT TO FRIENDS
Testimony Heard Today Regarding
1904 Contest in Indiana.
FORMER SENATOR TO TESTIFY
Wires Chairman of Investigating
Committee He Can Appear Here
Saturday if Desired.

Three witnesses were scheduled to be
questioned to the 1904 campaign of
Senator Beveridge when the senatorial
campaign contributions committee met
this afternoon. Senator Beveridge him.
self wired the committee that he would
be unable to get to Washington today,
but that he would come Saturday morn
ing. II the committee desired.
Larz Whtcomb former law partner of
Senator Beveridge: Leopold c. Roth
schild and John r. Hayes, who were as
ISOLATED with Senator Beveridge in the
1904 campaign, were to be on hand, but
they had not appeared at the time sched-
uled for the hearing and the committee
was informed they had been delayed by
late trains.
Whitcomb on the Stand.
Whitcomb was the first witness called
Senator Pomerene questioned him. The
witness said that he and Senator Bever-
idge occupied the same law office in
1904, but declared he knew nothing of
the campaign of Senator Beveridge In
that year. He said he knew nothing of
certain checks and drafts sent to Sena-
tor Beveridge during the campaign.
How much did these drafts amount
to-" asked Senator Pomerene.
They amounted to $4,000" said the
witness.
Who sent them?"
George w. Perkins. Edward Mclean
and Clifford Pinchot, as l remember it,"
said Mr.. Whitcomb
The witness said that $50 900 of the
money came from Mr.. Perkins; $4,000
from Edward Mclean. who was a
cousin of Senator Beveridge, and 81 500
from Clifford Pinchot.
when did you see these drafts?"
witness. They were then to be re-
turned to the senders. Mr.. Beveridge
asked me to look at the letters on his
desk L saw one letter addressed to
tached three checks or drafts, each for
$4,000. Another letter was addressed
to Edward Mclean. and attached was
check for $4,000 The third letter, to
Clifford Pinchot, was accompanied by a
$4,000 check.
Held Money to Prevent Use.
Mr. whitcomb said that Mr.. Beveridge
held the money until after election be-
use in the campaign.
For what purpose was this money
sent to Indiana?" asked Senator Pom
creme
For general campaign purposes
My information is" said Senator
POmerene, that this money was to be
used in the event that the fund to be
sent. to Indiana by the national COM
mittee did not reach 100000. If the
fund fell short of that sum I under
stood these drafts were to be used in
making up that amount. Do you know
mo. do not believe that is so." said
Mr.. Whitcomb.
Were Personal Friends.
VIZ. Whitecomb said that Mr. Perkins
and Senator Beveridge had been friends
for years, and had worked together when
Beveridge was a book agent and Per-
kins an insurance agent In Indiana. This
friendship. he said, was the cause of the
Perkins contribution.
The witness could not remember any
explanation given by Senator Beveridge
Of the letters and checks.
John F. Hayes. who was Senator Bev-
eridge's private secretary in 1904. was
called He said that in the fall of 1904
Senator Beveridge asked him to read and
witness certain letters.
lone Of these was to Edward l.. Nc
Lean of Greenfield, Ohio. Senator Bev-
eridge's cousin. 1t stated that Senator
Reveridge returned untouched a draft for
Perkins. inclosed a check for $4,000.
saying that Senator Beveridge did not
want to be elected by the use of money"
continued the witness.
Return of Pinchot Contribution.
He said that he believed the Pinchot
contribution, which he recalled as $1,000.
was returned personally by Beveridge to
Pinchot. who was campaigning in Indi-
ana. The witness knew nothing OF the
funds collected and used by the Indiana
state committee in the campaign.
Mr.. Hayes said that he signed and wit
messed a duplicate of the letter returning
the Perkins money.
THAT letter was also signed by Mr.
Whitcomb. Thomas r. Shipp and l.. G..
Rotschild," he said.
TyYyEY WE DDE NuEDc VrYnnU