Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-03
UNAWARE OF COMBINE
ON POLITICAL MATTERS
Contributions Not Given With the
Idea of Obtaining Favors.
HEARD BY CLAPP COMMITTEE
New York Financier Displays Readi-
ness to Answer Frankly All
Questions-Judge Duell =
Testifies.

=. Pierpont Morgan proved a willing
"ithess today before the Clapp commit
Tee investigating campaign expenditures.
and testified that he had given $50 OU to
the republican campaign OF 1894. and $40
ONO to the republican campaign of 1913 In
an hours questioning Mr. Morgan de-
MED emphatically the charge by Charles
Edward Russell of New York that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had once telephoned for a
campaign contribution, declared he never
had any communication with President
Roosevelt. and asserted that he knew OF
no conferences among financial men in
1904 or 1908 to agree on supporting re-
publican or democratic presidential can
didates.
His first appearance on the witness
stand for many years. Mr.. Morgan APP
peared willing to answer fully all ques-
tions. He confirmed the testimony yes.
terday Of George r. Sheldon that he had
contributed $1OO.OoO to the republican ma
tional fund Of 1904. and added that he
later gave $4,000 to the so-called "Har-
riman" fund Of $2i0.OO0 raised for the
New York state committee.
No idea Of Obtaining Favors.
Mr. Morgan asserted that no contribu-
ton had ever been given by his firm or
himself with the idea of obtaining any
favors thereby. He was especially inter-
tested in the 1904 campaign, he said.
solely for the welfare of the country and
the people at large. That was the only
interest, he said. that had guided him In
making contributions to political parties
The testimony of Mr.. Morgan supported
hat nf Sheldon Yesterday.
so-called Hartman fund" of 1904 had
been raised as an emergency fund TO heip
the New York state committee. Mr.. Nor
gan said he understood that to be the fact
when he gave $JO.OoO to the fund Novem-
Der 1. 1904. Mr.. Hartman had said 1t
was raised at the request of President
Roosevelt.
Judge Charles H. Duell of New York.
who assisted Treasurer Bliss i'm 1904. told
about raising the Hartman fund. and the
committee adjourned until tomorrow.
Mr.. Morgan the First Witness.
Mr. Morgan was the first witness to
testify today before the Clapp commit
tee investigating campaign funds. His
appearance close upon George r Shell
don's sensational testimony OF yesterday,
when the treasurer of the republican ma
tional committee for the present cam
paign and the last swore that the late
ords which bore evidence that Mr.. Nor
gan's firm was one of four which had
contributed $1O0,OO each to the republic
an war chest of 1904, was expected to de-
velop more testimony along that line,
Mr. Morgan arrived last night. and Tor
the first time in many years spent his
spare hours in a new home. The historic
Arlington Hotel where for a generation
the financier always has occupied a GER
tain suite on the northeast corner, Is
heap of debris. being cleared Tor a mod
ern structure. Mr.. Morgan took apart
ments at downtown hotel. spent the
evening quietly and early today was
ready to go to Capitol Hill 10 TESTIFY De-
fore the committee.
One other witness was on the list for
today. He was Judge Charles III. Duell.
assistant treasurer of the republican
campaign fund in 1904 The committee
wanted to ask Judge Duell If he had seen
any records showing the names of any
large contributors to the republican fund
in that year.
Arrives Before the Committee.
Mr.. Morgan reached the committee
room five minutes before the hour set for
the opening of the committee hearing
Chairman Clapp was the only member OF
the committee present. and Mr.. Morgan
was shown into his private office to await
the arrival of the balance of the commit
tee He was accompanied by his son-in-
law, II. L. Catterlee, and his daughter.
Mrs. Hamilton.
utes after 10 o'clock. Mr.. Morgan had
difficulty in finding his way to the COM
mittee chairs set aside for his party. but
finally took a place at the right OF the
committee table between his daughter
and son-in-law.
The big financier tugged at his mus
tache as he took his seat. He gazed
curiously about the room and watched
the members of the committee closely.
There was a wait of several minutes
before Mr. Morgan was asked to take
the stand.
Give the stenographer your name.
please" said Chairman Clapp.
John P.erpont Morgan
Your address,"
mo 219 Madison avenue. New York."
Your business"
Banker"
Chairman Clapp directed the attention
of Mr. Morgan to an article by Charles
Edward Russell charging that President
Roosevelt had demanded that Morgan
raise 100000 for his campaign. and that
Wayne MacVeagh had been present when
Mr. Morgan talked with the White House
over the telephone.
Denies Russell's Charge.
"Do YOU remember any such incident?"
demanded Senator CIapp.
Nothing whatever" replied Mr. Nor
gan emphatically.
He said he had probably talked with
Wayne MacVeagh. but could recall no
in 1904.
THAT circumstance of the telephone
and all is absolutely made out Of whole
CLOTH" he said.
Il never corresponded over the tele-
phone. telegraph or by mail with President
Roosevelt that 1 know Of" he added.
"Or with any Of the secretaries at the
White House,"
mo, nor with any one at the White
said Mr.. Morgan.
Contributed $4,000 in 1904.
"Did you make any contributions to
the republican national campaign OF
19O4?"
"Yes. did," replied Mr.. Morgan. fum-
bling in his pocket for q paper.
He adjusted his glasses and looked at
some figures
"In October. 1904. gave $4,000; on