New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-02
Sends Letter to Senator CIapp
in Answer to Testimony of
PenroSe and ArchboId
About 1904 Campaign.
"ARE UP 100000 TIMES"
No Denial That Corporation
Contributions Were Received,
but Assertion Is Made No
Favors Were Promised
in Return.


letter to Senator Clapp, made public
tonight, Colonel Roosevelt believes
that he has a complete refutstion of
any testimony rejecting upon him
which was given before the Senate
committee that investigated campaign
contributions.
II have answered every question as
fully and explicitly as is possible" he
ground. OF course, cannot go on in
definitely explaining the things which
are always being brought up. They
are brought up five million times and
after I have explained them FIVE mill
lion times. they arc brought up again.
just as though I never had explained
them"
To illustrate his point, Colonel Roose-
Welt said that his opponents we're al
ways saylng that the corporations con-
tributed to his 1904 campaign and that
he had denied it, although. he said he
had merely denied that money from
turn for promises of favors from tho
government. In the Democratic text
book just issued, he said. it was stated
that the United States Steel Corpora
tion had contributed $4,000 to his cam
paign.
II never said that no such contribu-
tion was received" he said. II have
no knowledge of such a contribution,
but IL it was made I suppose it was
perfectly proper one"
Not Sure About Oil Money.
TIE reference to the Bliss incident is
more specific, the Colonel saying:
In view Of this reported interview
| with Mr.. Bliss and Of the rumors that
| have already heard, | do not feel
able to express an opinion as 10
whether or not he did, against my ex-
| plioit directions and IN spite OF the
| assurance given me, receive any money
from the Standard Oil people.
The comment on Senator Penrose's
testimony before the Clapp committee
is long and striking. one Of the phrases
| being: 1T embodies a far worse ac-
cusation against him than ever
should have dreamed Of making" Tho
colonel also says:
This language is precisely the Lam
guage that might be used by black
mailing police officer in big city in
advising the keeper Of a Iawbreaking
liquor saloon, or a gambling house to
. AL al
he might incur hostility in certain
quarters. II this language were proved
against the policeman he would be re-
moved from tho police force, and as il
is admitted by tho Senator he should
be removed from the Senate.
The Letter Answering Charges.
Mr.. Roosevelt's letter in part follows:
| regret greatly that the committee was
unable to have me appear before II last
Monday to answer the statements OF Mr..
Penrose and Mr.. Archbold. In one sense,
of course. these statements need no an
swer. As faT as they concern me they
are merely repctitions of injurious gossip,
repctitions of what a dead man Is alleged
TO have said about meas IN the case or
the Hartman matter. where repettions OF
what a dead man, Mr. Hartman. is re-
putcd TO have told others as to conversa-
tions with me Is now re"ited anew as
injurious gossip at tnlru ndnd llstedu VI
merely AT second hand.
The charge against Mr.. Penrose was
direct charge. This charge was not
merely that he took $4,000 from the
Standard OIL Company. but that at or
about the time of thus taking IL, while
a member OF COMMITTEES Of the Senate
which was formed 10 investigate indus
trial affairs in the United states, he was
in constant communication with Mr.
Archbod on the subject and that he sub
mitted TO Mr.. Archbold for his approval
in advance a copy of the report or tho
commission.
If these statements are true. OF course
Mr.. Penrose is unfit TO represent tho
people in the United states Senate ana
the testimony against him is direct. Ap-
parently, however, the committee is in
vestigating not this charge against Mr.
Penrose, which was sustained by direct
evidence but Mr. Penrose's counter
charge. which was sustained by no eyi.
dence at all and only by the repetition or
second hand gossip.