The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-04
DeclaresHe Was Not Held Up
by Roosevelt for Cam
paign Contribution
BRANDS STORY AS
ABSOLUTELY FALSE
Gave Two Amounts to Elec-
ton Fund But Money Was
Paid Both FINES Direct.
ly to Bliss

WASHINGTON. Oct. 3.-Denying
without reservation the statement or
Charles Edward Russell, socialist, who
declared through the New YORK
papers. that President Roosevelt held
up the financial interests of New
York city, and forced them to con-
tribute to his campaign. j. Pierpont
Morgan, colossus of Wall street, and
money king of the world. testified be-
fore the Clapp investigating commit
tee today that he had never talked
to or had any communication with
President Roosevelt on the subject OF
campaign contributions.
When confronted with the news
paper clipping, detailing an alleged
telephone conversation between the
witness and the White House, after
which Morgan is said IL have stated
that that blanked lnnatic in the
White House wants more money for
his campaign" the money baron
characterized the story as made out
of the whole cloth, and totally with
cut foundation"
Mr.. Morgan stated without hesita-
tion that he had contributed $4,000
to the Roosevelt campaign. 100000
in October. and $4,000 on November
I. st5 Both contributions were
given in person so Cornelius Bliss, a
former friend OF the fnancier, who
was sent to him by the Republican
national committee, because he tBliss1
was considered the best man to get
the money The witness said that,
while he had no proof of the fact.
he was sure that his contribution of
S5e.000 went into the Hartman
fund" IL s250.0e0. whfr., former Hfr-
nesses had sworn to.
II want I'll distinctly understood
!. said MorEAp. Mjth an emphatic move
ment or hts fore8nger. ffat j. r.
Morgan & Co. never contributed to
any campaign fund under a promise
OF return or immunity We con-
tributed only for the good OF the
country. and We never got any return
for our sIso.ooo."
Morgan's the Firm.
Were Your two contributions per-
sona1 ones or did they come from
your firm?" asked Senator Clapp.
II am the firm" replied the wit
ress, proudly.
Morgan denied having consulted
with Hartman. Fisk or Gould con-
corning the best man to support. "
And said that he did not believe a
huge fund" was raised 10 elect Presi-
0CHt thooStFSil. IN kUt It&l HTtctH
however the witness spoke of the
$4,000 Hartman fund, which he
knew Of at the time. without any APP
parent discrepancy between his state
ments. The committee considered the
wealth of the witness. and then de-
cided that s250,00o probably would
= 4tst represent a. huge Fund" To him
When asked what limit the Repub-
ficans placed on the amount they de-
sired TO collect to insure Roosevelt
election in 1904. the financier said:
Il never heard of any limit They
wanted AS much as thee could get :
= Morgan added. however, that he
contributed only $4,000 10 the TAFT
fund in 1908, because th.t was all
they wanted"
When the money king left the
stand after fifty-four minutes exami-
nation by the various members of the
committee, Judge Charles II. DueIl
assistant treasurer OF the Republican
national committee, under Bliss, was
called, In the course of an hours
testimony, Judge sDuen contributed
only one important bit or information
that three Insurance companies
gave $4,000 each to the 1904 Re-
publican fund--and when he was ex-
cused the committee recessed because
of lack of additional witnesses,