The Washington herald., 1912-08-22

nails. the chief organs Of the Finn Van
valkenburg- Roosevelt combine In Penn
sylvania.
These letters have been in the pos
session of the periodical referred to
about five years, since the theft OF the
Archbold correspondence occurred. but
apparently there has been no occasion
for their publication until prompted by
present political exigencies. Their pub
lication now. with the malignant insinu-
ations accompanying them. Is in the ma
ture Of a political blackmatl. the pur-
pose Of which Is 10 punish, coerce. or
intimidate me because Of my political
course.
The statement that there is any con-
nection between the Industrial Commits
sion and a certain check from John D.
Archbold Is false, malicious and without
justification.
The Archbold Letter.
II now come to the letter alleged to
have been written to me by John D.
Archbold. inclosing a certificate of de-
posit In my favor for s25.o00. written
under date Of October 10. 1904. have
reason to believe that this letter is
forgery. and I challenge its production;
obt IL - uucs anu dI luc liiuc II was
well known, that during the Presiden-
tial campaign OF 1904 did receive such
a contribution from Mr.. Archbold for
the campaign In Pennsylvania. The
contribution was part OF a much larger
one. which I will now explain.
II was at the time the chairman OF
the Republican State Committee Of
Pennsylvania and a member of the Re-
publican National Committee represent
ing that State. was at the Republi-
can headquarters In Philadelphia In full
charge Of the State campaign and I was
every week In New York In close touch
with many of the phases of the national
campaign.
"Mr. John d. Archboid had several IN
terviews with Cornelius N. Bliss, treas
urer of the Republican National Com
mittee. and with me. relative TO financial
assistance in the campaign. Finally we
came to an understanding by which Mr..
Archbold made a. contribution Of Sl25. 900,
Of which $4,000 was to 60 to Mr.. Bliss
as treasurer Of the Republican National
Committee for the national Presidential
campaign outside Of Pennsylvania, and
$4,000 was TO be contributed to use as
State chairman for the campaign in Penn
sylvania. Mr.. Archbold received the re-
ceipt Of Mr.. Bliss as treasurer and as
the Republican National
Committee for the amount of 800. .O0o The
Of $4,000 so received by me
as chairman of the Republican State
Committee OF Pennsylvania was expend-
ed in the Presidential campaign in that
State.
Bliss Wanted More.
Not long after the contribution OF sloo-
100 to the Republican National Committee.
NJ hahalf 90 ha
called again to see Mr.. Archbold and
asl;ed for a further contribution Of Sl5o.-
,oo. He represented that Mr.. Roosevelt |
had been advised Of the original contribu- |
ton. as had the chairman OF the Republi- |
can National Committee. both. but that |
he need OF further financial assistance |
was badly felt at headquarters. and that |
such further assistance would be still |
more appreciated. 1 knew personally at |
he time that Mr.. Archbold wanted TO |
make this further contribution and felt |
hat II was presented to him IN a way i
hat made him desire to make IL. but he |
was overruled by his associates, who felt |
hat sufficient had been done, and ]
further contribution was not made. |
THE resources OF the Pennsylvania
State Committee are frequently i'm
,overished in Presidential years. In
vas made to the Pennsylvania Republi- |
an State Committee by the Republican |
Committee, and hence the |
pecial arrangement for the Pennsyl- |
vania Republican State Committee in
his instance. and the transaction was
,art of the general plan of financial aid |
extended for the Presidential campaign. |
rhe fact that the contribution of $25,-
% made a contribution of sl25.O to
The Presidential campaign was one
eason given for the refusal Of Mr. |
Archbold and his associates to comply |