Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-05
Roosevelt Kept Busy Replying
to CIapp Committee Questions
FINISHES HIS TESTIMONY
Reads McHarg Letter Denying Brib-
cry Of Southern Delegates.
LOEB TELLS ABOUT HARTMAN
Details Attitude of the Colonel To.
ward Standard Oil Contributions
in 1904 Campaign.

Col. Roosevelt finished his testimony
yesterday afternoon before the Clamp
committee investigating campaign con-
| tr1butfons and was followed on the stand
by William Loeb. formerly secretary to
President Roosevelt. After Mr.. Loeb had
testified the committee adjourned until
10 o'clock Monday morning.
Col. Roosevelt was occupied in answer
ing questions during the afternoon ses-
sion. Senator Paynter tried to get Col
Roosevelt to say that Mr.. Harriman's
Visit IN response to telegram in Octo-
Der, 1874, was a result of the President S
earnest solicitation" but the colonel in
sisted Hartman had been released from
any obligation to come to the White
House by the practical men, letter, and
that the visit was prompted solely by the
New York state situation
Senator Paynter was insistent, and
finally Col. Roosevelt exclaimed with a
trace of impatience:
why. Senator Paynter, he wasn't I'M
der any obligation to come; he could come
or not. just as he wanted to-
He had an invitation to come under
those circumstances" asked Seantor
Paynter.
He or any one else could come or not
come under any circumstances" retorted
the colonel.
Parker's Charge Called Innuendo.
Senator Pomerene pointed out that Mr.
Cortelyou, as Secretary of Commerce and
Labor. had general supervision of the
bureau Of corporations. prior to his be-
coming chairman Of the national COM
mittee. and asked If Judge Parker's
charges regarding the contributions Of
corpora tons to the Roosevelt campaign
We're not generally allegations as to the
ability of placing the supervising
head of the bureau of corporations in a
position to collect funds from corpora
tons.
Yes. the charge was largely by in
nuendo.' replied the colonel. land
dislike charge of that kind more
than do direct charge. l like man
to be game"
Senator Pomerene asked about the
contribution of the steel corporation
and Col. Roosevelt said that he knew
only of the contribution by II. c. Frick
He did not know, he said, of the con-
tribution of J. p. Morgan. unless that
$4,000 represented also the contribu
ton of Morgan's associates.
IF the contributors included Mr.
Frick l probably knew, in a general
way. that it had been made, because l
knew Prick had contributed. Mr.. Prick
knew of my demand that the Standard
Oil contribution be returned, and he
said that If that meant a loss to my
campaign he would contribute more.
although he had already given to the
fund"
Unaware Of "Beef Contribution"
Did you know how much was con-
tributed by the beef interests" asked
Mr. Pomerene.
II knew nothing about it. This is
the first suggestion I ever heard about
their contributing. 1 had already moved
against the beef trust, and l don't be-
lieve they contributed. 1 supposed they
were against u.s." said the colonel.
you say you moved against the
Standard Oil Company before the 1904
campaign. Why do you suppose they
changed their attitude and contrib
uted?' asked Senator Pomerene.
81 have no means of knowing" said
the colonel
Col. Roosevelt said he knew nothing OF
contributions by railroads. that Mr.. Cor
telyOu had informed him no funds had
been accepted from tobacco interests.
Col. Roosevelt said he had no CONVERSE
ton with either Bliss or CortelyOu as to
trust contributions beyond telling
them that none should be accepted when
offered with the expectation of fayors.
LAS a practical man. colonel" said
Senator Pomerene. don't you believe
that at least some of the big cOntribu-
tors expected results?
The colonel grasped the arms of his
chair and half rose.
Speaking as practical man of high
ideals. who has tried to put these ideals
into practice, I believe that when l tell
a man he will receive no return, if he
then insists upon giving and expecting a
return, he is either a crook or a fool
A wave Of applause swept the commit
tee room, and Chairman Clapp banged
his gavel.
Senator Pomerene asked If the so-called
"coal trust had contributed.
my dear SIR returned Col. Roosevelt,
latter the revelations that have been
made here 1 wouldn't be surprised at
any one having contributed" He said no
report was made to him as to the re-
ceipts or the contributors.
Did Not Ask About Contributions.
II think Mr. Bliss would have resented
an inquiry from me as to the contribu-
tors" said Col. Roosevelt.
You made no inquiry Of him or Mr.
Cortelyou?"
mo, none," answered the colonel.
Were you ever advised as to the pro-
portion of the campaign funds of 1904
contributed by corporations"
Il never made any inquiries. l didn't
even know the contributors in this cam
paign until Mr.. Hooker published them
before this committee" said the colonel,
and. turning to Senator Clapp, he vOlun-
tered:
i've had fairly strenuous life in this
campaign on my own part"
Colonel, it has appeared here in the
testimony that the 100000 contributed by
the Standard Oil Company was. not re-
turned" began Pomerene.
"Well. does that appear as a fact?"
interrupted Roosevelt.
Eyes; there is evidence to that fact"
said Pomerene.
81 want you to note" Col. Roosevelt re-
turned, that I have never said either
that did or did not believe it was made
Until Mr. Archbold testified, I had never
heard that the Standard Oil Company or
Mr.. Archbold had made contribution. I
had heard that Rogers had made one;
heard it year or two after the cam
paign; but I understand Bliss did not
class him Standard Oil representative
because he had other large interests. l
know nothing about the Archbod contri-
button"
Knew Of No Financiers' Conference.
Col. Roosevelt said he had no knowledge