The Detroit times., 1912-08-24
Oil Magnate Testifes Colonel
and Cortelyou Knew Trust
Gave G. o. p. $125, 900
DEMAND FOR $150,0OO
MORE WAS REFUSED
Witness Declares William Finn
Asked His Assistance to
Become Senator

vehement attack on Col. Roosevelt,
John ID. Archbold, the active head OF
Standard Oil. today told senate In.
yestigating committee that Standard
Oil money helped elect Roosevelt In
1904. Then he charged that, because
second contribution was refused,
Roosevelt instigated a most outrage
GUS persecution" against the oil trust.
Archbold said the Standard OIL Co.
contributed 100000 to Cornelius N.
Bliss, treasurer OF the Republican ma.
tional committee, In 1904 for the ma
tional campaign and also gave Pen
rose $25, 900 to help carry Pennsylvan.
Ia. He swore that Roosevelt and
George b. Cortelyou OF the Republican
committee both knew and gratefully
accepted" the trust money. A few
weeks later, the magnate declared
Bliss asked for $3.50. 900 more. It was
refused.
Bliss told me We were making a
serious mistake said Archbold. las
personal friend he said, I'd advise
you to make this additional contribu-
ton
Almost Immediately after Roose.
velt's election. Archbold said, the
persecution" OF Standard Oil has be-
gun.
Darkest Africa never witnessed
such an outrageous persecution" he
said. The inference was plain--it
was because we had refused to make
the additional contribution. Mr.. Bliss
himself said IL would have been differ-
eut II had done as he asked us to-"
Under cross-examination by Senator
Penrose. Archbold declared that the
4 H. IL. ALoN
William Finn, of Pittsburgh, had
wired and besought Archbold TO assist
him TO become senator from Pennsyl
vania, was true He swore to the
accuracy OF letters and cipher tele-
grams which Penrose read to the SEN
ate on Wednesday.
Not Shaken by Examination.
For more than two hours Archbold
perspired under a grilling inquisition.
Senator Clapp, chairman OF the In
vestigating committee, Senators Pom.
creme, OF Ohio. and Oliver, of Pennsyl-
vania, were the chief cross-examiners.
Three times Archbold went over his
entire story. He was mistaken in any
Important detail
Archbold was hailed here today from
New York Just before sailing for Eu-
rope. His entire examination sub
stantiated the sensational statement
of Penrose In the senate last Wednes-
day. The Standard Oil masnate back
led up every material charge by Pen
rose
Immediately after the senate met,
Senator Penrose moved that his reso-
luton, instructing an investigation by
the Clapp committee. be considered at
once.
Leaders finally persuaded Penrose
to withdraw his request until several
conference reports could be consid-
cred.
We're you solicited personally by
Hartman to contribute" asked Clapp.
No sir, was not a party TO 1t.
i understood II was to be $250,000.
i know of other contributions only by
newspaper reports"
Senator Pomerene at this point
took up Arshbold's cross-examination.
Il understood 1t was ex-Secretary
bliss that first talked with you about
the contribution" he began.
1T wae-about a week before
gave the contribution" the oil mag
nate replied Bliss, Rogers and
we,.t over the campaign. We talked
about Mr.. Roosevelts attitude toward
the business interests. Mr.. Bliss
said he thought Roosevelt would be
fair and impartial. We talked over
party policies and the platform. We
Thought Mr.. Roosevelt would take q
conservative view on the tariff, that
IL was a party question first Mr..
bliss expressed strong belief that Mr..
Roosevelt would be fair In his treat
meni OF the business interests. Mr..
Bliss urged that Mr.. Roosevelt's poll
cies would conserve the best inter-
ests of business and the country.
Later" continued Archbold. Bliss
came to me for more money. He said
he wanted more help. I told him that
Thought our people had given all
they cared to. That was about three
weeks 1ater-eariy In October. -
eat that time was II told you that
Mr.. Roosevelt had agreed to accept
the money!" asked Pomerene.
81 was assured that he appreciated
what had been done, and would like
to have $4,000 more. | parted Bliss
as best could and told him Id have
to submit II to the board.
II put Il before the board again, at
eur ofice. and after full discussion,
we oecl0e0 We WOuiu sIanu Oh Wis.,
we had already done"
Archbold said he and Rogers went
to Bliss office once. when Roosevelt
and government bureau heads began
attacking Standard OIL
Bliss threw up his hands and said
he considered II very unjust attack"
said Archbold. But he said he could
do nothing"
The attacks were by James X. Gar.
field and Herbert Knox Smith, and
the witness said Roosevelt approved
without any investigation or any
knowledge of the facts. ......,.--..
These attacks occurred time after
time," Archbold continued. It's all
in shape to be written up. Some day
il will be, this unjust course OF at
tack These reports OF bureau heads,
with Mr.. Roosevelt's approval, were
put out at critical times. Garfield
snd Smith were the puppets to jump
when Mr.. Roosevelt pulled the string.
We suffered all the humiliation ut
home and abroad. Darkest Africa
hel er saw anything like the persecu-
lon OF the Standard OIL by the
Roosevelt administration. There never
was anything like II in the history OF
Prg nation.
1t was after the election. one year