Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-05


Now, l wish to take up the testi-
mony of Mr.. Archbold and Senator
Penrose," said Col. Roosevelt Il wish
to call your attention to this fact in
connection with the statement of Mr..
Archbold as in the case of Mr.. Har-
riman. Each testified he got no inn
proper consideration from the admin
istration. Mr.. Archbold,s and Mr..
Harriman's complaint was that they
got nothing from the administration.
Mr.. Archbold testifies that Cornelius
n. Bliss, who is dead. attempted te
blackmail him and that | knew of it.
l don't for a minute believe that Mr.
Bliss tried to blaekmail him. If he
did | knew nothing of it."
Senator Paynter was insistent and
finally Colonel Roosevelt exclaimed with
n trace of impatience:
"Why. Senator Paynter, he was under
any obligation to come. He could come
or not. Just as he wanted to-"
Senator Pomerene began Colonel Roose-
velts examination. The colonel said he
asked Elihu Root w. Murray Crane and
the elder Bliss to take the chairmanship
of the Republican national committee
and they had declined.
Colonel Roosevelt said he never wrote
a letter to any financier asking him to
solicit funds. He said he had never au-
thorized anyone to collect funds except
by the general authorization given Mr..
Bliss.
Senator Pomerene asked if it would not
be natural for corporations which con-
tributed in 1904 to expect favors.
ITS impossible for me to say that any
man who gives a dollar does not expect
a return for that dollar said Col.
Roosevelt but when / tell him he will
get no return, 1 can't prevent his ex-
pecting it,"
"As a practical man, colonel" said SEN
ator Pomerent, don't you believe that
at least some of the big contributors ex-
pected returns?'
The colonel grasped the arms of his
chair and half rose as he replied.
Speaking, as a practical man of high
ideals who has tried to put these ideals
into practice. l believe that when I tell
a man he will receive no return. if he
then insists upon giving and expecting a
return he is either crook or FOOL
a wave of applause swept the committee
room and Chairman Clapp banged his
gavel
Senator Pomerene asked If the so-called
coal trust had contributed.
MY dear sir" returned Col Roose-
welt, after the revelations that have
been made here, | wouldn't be sur
prised at any one having contributed.
He said no report was made to him
as to the receipts or the contributors
Il think Mr.. Bliss would have re-
sented an inquiry from me as to the
contributors, said Col Roosevelt.
You made no inquiry of him or Mr.
Cortelyou?"
No, none," answered the Colonel.
Were you ever advised as to the
proportion of the campaign funds of
1904 contributed by corporations"
No, never. / never made any in
quiries. | didn't even know the con-
tributors in this campaign util Mr..
Hooker presented them to this COM
mttee.' said the Colonel. and turn
ing to Mr.. Clapp he volunteered:
I've had fairly strenuous life in
this campaign on my part"
Colonel, ii has appeared here in
the testimony that the 100000 con-
tributed by the Standard Oil Co, was
not returned" began Senator Pomer-
enc.
We'll, does that appear as a faet?i
interrupted Roosevelt.
Yes, there is evidence to that eff
feet" said Pomerene.
Il want you to note" Col. Roose-
welt returned. that l have never said
either that | did or did not believe
hyt u
testified. / had never heard that the
Standard Oil Co or Mr. Archbold had
made a contribution. | had heard
that Rogers had made one; l heard
it year or two after the campaign;
but | understood Bliss did not class
him as a Standard Oil representative,
because he had other large interests.
l know nothing about the Archbold
contribution"
What evidence did you have that
the Standard Oil contribution was not
made" asked Pomerene.
Mr.. Bliss informed Mr.. Loeb il had
not been made" answered Col. Roose-
welt. Mr. Cortelyou informed me that
Mr.. Bliss had told him it had not
been made
DO you know who contributed the
S250,0o0 fund raised by Mr.. Harri
man.,
Il don't know. I see Mr.. Morgan
said, yesterday, he contributed to it..
Remember. | don't know that such q
fund was ever raised
Was there any reason why Mr..
Cortelyou should not have full l1nowl-
edge of whether the 100000 Stand
ard Oil contribution was retcrned2'
asked Senator Pomerene.
None that | know Of
Col. Roosevelt said that in reply to
his letters demanding the return of
the Standard Oil contribution, Cor
telyou and Bliss telephoned to Loeb
and Cortelyou came to WASH ngton
and assured him no such contribution
had been received.
Col Roosevelt said he had no
knowledge of any conference of big
financial interests in New York to de-
wise ways and means to support the
Republican candidates"
He knew nothing of the appoint ment
of a secret advisory committee" in
1904. or whether Mr.. Hartman had
been asked by Mr.. Cortelyou to serve