The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-10-09
|ODAY'S PROBE
AGAINST TAFT
financial Backing Of the President
Was the Theme Of Investigation
by the clapp Com
mlttee.
BROTHER 70 TESTIFY
chief Interest centers on the Story
Of chas. P. TAFT Who Gave
100000 II is
said.

frnited Press Leased Wire Service.l /
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8. s.-President
Tsft,s financial backing was the
theme Of investigation by the Clapp
committee today. The probe, swung
from, Roosevelt to Taft, as demanded
nv the colonel, and his manager, Sen
ator Dixon.
Charles P. Taft, millionaire brother
Of the president, was the witness In
whom interest centered today. A big
crowd of spectators was present. The
committee planned to ask Taft If he
contributed 100000 to his brothers
campaign In 1908, and also how much
| be gave for the recent primary fight.
Chairman Hilles OF the republican
national committee, was another Inn
portant witness scheduled today, for
questioning regarding the republican
campaign contributions, and his al
legged charge that s3,000,00o was
raised to "underwrite', the Roosevelt
candidacy. Owing to the limited
scope Of the inquiry, Hilles does not
have to divulge arrafgnments made
since the Chicago convention.
Robert s. Lovett, chairman OF the
Union Pacific railroad, was another
witness on today's program. e. n.
Harriman's secretary testified that
Loyett received the checks from Wall
street contributors to the alleged
Hartman fund" in 1904.
In today's session, Dan r. Hanna
Of Cleveland, son of Mark Hanna will
be Quizzed regarding an alleged do
nation OF $4,000 to the Roosevelt cof-
fers and also regarding conference
OF progressives last winter, when the
switch" of support from La Toilette
TO Roosevelt was first preached
Matthew Hale, progressive leader Of
New England, was another bull moose
witness.
Today's inquiry regarding the Taft
contributions followed the testimony
Yesterday afternoon of Representative
Mckinley, pre-convention manager
ior the president, that he received
G0b,OOo for the primary battle last
spring, of which Taft's brother gave
about sl5o,0oo. Other large contribu.
lors We're Andrew Carnegie, John
Hays Hammond and e. T. Stotesbury,
10000 each. This money was sent
. various states, Illinois getting s15,.
vuu' Ohio, $4,000: Maryland, $4,000:
West Virginia, $4,000: Iowa, Kansas
ana Texas $4,000 each, and smaller
sums in other states. Mckinley said
$4,000 was spent for printing. and
il'hogfaphing, and $4,000 for Taft
buttons.
ormsby McHarg, emissary in the
southern states for Roosevelt last
spring, also told the committee that
MS work organizing contesting con-
sentlons cost about $4,000. He re,
celyed no salary, he said.
former Senator Nathan B. Scott Of
west Virginia was called before the
committee at 1890, the first witness
ol today's session.
Senator Clapp said today that the
committee has directed Elmer Dover
VI Tacoma to come here to testify re-
Earaing republican campaign contri-
buttons in 1904. Senator Jones OF
washington took Dover's testimony
Yesterday. Dover says duplicates OF
Inc list OF contributions kept by
treasurer Bliss in 1904 are now in
Storage at Chicago. These are to be
Produced.
chairman Hilles of the republican
m'ional !. committee, did not come to
washington today. His testimony was
postponed until tomorrow.
scott was asked regarding contri-
'ullons ' to the 1904 republican cam
palgn.
i ! told the committee all person
NY -, Knew last July" said Scott. Amy
-A,lg more would be hearsay.
,oo asked Mr.. Bliss in October,
,..s' continued Scott, "if he could
-. ~ go to 20 Broadway, (the Stand
~ ~ oi Company office) to get con-
~ He said they had already
'on'rlouted ~, 100000 and he didn't
~ Ike asking for more"
aoott said he received about ss5, 900
~ ,oin The national committee in 1904
r. n we campaign IN West Virginia.
e witness said telephone call
I. Nv ,he white house was made at
y New York republican headquar-