The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-23
Vice President Archbold Handed Over s125 600
Which Was Accepted By Bliss and Penrose
With Smiles of Thanks.
VAS COLD, HARD CASH, NOT IN CHECKS
Testimony Of Trust Official Before Committee
Was That Money Was Paid and That the
Colonel Knew All About II.

help. Visits of Mr.. Bliss, to 2s Broad.
way would help some.''
They can't photograph dead men,"
said Clapp.
"But they can do it with forged let.
ters,' retorted Penrose.
I'm delighted with the chairman,s
ruling" Archbold interjected.
There will be no photos OF this
committee" was Clapp's emphatic an-
swer, although am in favor Of the
utmost publicity
Pomerene arrived at 9:35 and after
few minutes Archbold was called to
the witness stand He was sworn
with upraised hand and gave his name
and address.
Senator Clapp conducted the direct
examination.
In the year of 1904 was the vice
president of the Standard Oil Co..
said Archbold, in prefacing his testi-
mony.
do you recall when Mr.. Bliss
died%" asked Clapp.
Il do not"
What contributions did you make
to the republican campaign OF 1904?p
Admits Giving Money.
Il made two contributions" said
Archbold. zone to Mr. Bliss OF $780,
600. and $4,000 to Senator Penrose.
1t was some time in September. 1t
was given to Mr.. Bliss in currency.
We were alone ia my office, 26 Broad
way. Mr.. Bliss sent me receipt for
the money, but have not found 1t, i
hope to find It,"
Archbold promised to try to find the
Bliss receipt and produce 1t.
Il talked before with Mr.. Bliss,
early In September, either in my Of
flee or that of Mr.. H. H. Rogers. Ger
tain matters were talked over and we
agreed to contribute 100000 said
Archbold.
''Mr. Rogers -is dead too?'
Eyes"
"Did you send check for $4,000
to Mr.. Penrose?"
No sir, do not find any record OF
that. think paid it in currency.
No copy of any such letters as have
been published exists.
My agreement and the payment
think was made at my office. The
nature OF the signature attached to
the published letters makes them look
suspicious the witness added
"Was any one present with you
and Penrose?"
Not that recall; possibly Mr..
Rogers. He had good deal Of rail
road responsibility in this matter"
You were the man in charge Of
these matters?"
"Only in some localities
Mr.. Bliss was cognizant of the $685.
900 gave to Penrose,' added Arch
bold
after the payment Of the $4,000
did you have any conference with any
of the national committee?" asked
Clapp.
II did" said Archbold with Mr..
Bliss early in October-the first or
second dayperhaps two or three con-
ferences. Mr.. Rogers may have been
there.
.The result was that we met to
make fufsner contribution as request
ed,
"Did you have any conference with
Mr.. Cortelyou?"
mo, none at ALL"
II did not have any conferences
with reference to any contributions
but only regarding the progress of the
campaign, irfluding meetings with
Senator Dick Wld Senator Scott" the
oil magnate added.
II had no conferences regarding
contributions he added.
"In the fall of 1904 were you inter-
ested in United States Steel?" he
was asked.
aMaybe as a small shareholder, l
do not know"
Archbold also denied having any in
terest in any other trust at that
time. He also denied being connected
with any railroad system. He said he
had no conference regarding contri-