The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-23
ARCHBOLD
WAS STAR
WITNESS
Says Standard Oil Contributed
S125,0OO
To G. O. P. Can ign Of the
Year y
Testified Before the pbing
Committee

washington, Aug 23.-John D.
Archbold, pictured to the public as
the political manager and directing
genius of the STANDARD Oil Co, toek
the witness stand today before the
senate committee investigating cam
patgn funds, to tell his version of con-
tributions to the campaign of 1904.
now subject Of dispute between Sem
ator Penrose and Roosevelt.
The star witness appeared at the
hearing room half an hour before the
appointed time and visited with Sena-
tor Clapp and Senator Jones. PEN
rose appeared ten minutes after Arch
ried out to get Senators Oliver and
Pomerene, who were to sit as mem
bers of the committee.
When the committee finally as
sembled, Archbold was sworn and
Clapp asked him what contribution
the Stardard Oil Co., had made to the
campaign of 1908.
We made two contributions to the
republican campaign in 1904, one to
other to Penrose, of S25,000," replied
Archbold.
do you know when the contribu-
tion of 100000 to the republican cam
paign fund was NADER" asked Ciapp.
Il have not the date in mind" said
Archbold, Nor have l had time thor
oughly to search with reference TO It..
My best recollection is that it was
some time in September, 1904.
think about the middle Of September" !"
By check?" asked Clapp.
my recollection is it was given
Bliss in currency"
"Who was PRESENT."
"To the best of my recollection /
was alone, and at my Office"
"Have you any written data with
which to fix the date?"
Bliss gave me a receipt, but in
such an investigation as / have been
have not been able to find it. / hope
to do So"
Had you had any previous talk with
Bliss as to this matter before you
made the contribution" Clapp asked.
Eyes, some time before, either at
my Office or that of III. H. Rogers" I"
replied ArchboId, I'VE had talk about
policies and contributions, and said
the matter would have to be submit
ted to our board. 1t was submitted
later and the board decided TO con-
tribute"
WAS the $25,O00 contribution to Sem
ator Penrose in the form of check?''
Il cannot say. My letter books show
no record of any such letter as has
@en published. The signature of that
fStter is very unlike mine"
Archbold said the payment of PEN
rose probably was in currency.
You were the man in the Standard
OIL Co, who had charge of these po-
litical matters" suggested Clapp.
"OnIy in Pennsylvania and Ohio,
where | had known the relations of
our business"
Subsequent to these contributions,
Archbold said he talked with Bliss, not
later than Oct 10. about further con-
tributions.
What was the result Of these con-
ferences?'' asked Clapp.
I'VE decided not to make further
contributions"
Archbold said that in the 1904 cam
paign he had not been connected with
the steel, tobacco or sugar corpora
tfons or any railroad combination and
that he had not discussed with their
representatives the campaign contri-
buttons.
He said he told Bliss he wanted
his contribution understood and ap-
preciated by Roosevelt and Bliss as
sured him such would be the case. He
said Bliss assured him the contribu-
tion was acceptable and further con-
tributions would be acceptable.
Later Archbold said, when the bur-
eau Of corporations began making ad-
verse reports on the Standard Oil Co.
Bliss admitted the governments at
tacks aere unjust but said he had nc
influence with President Roosevelt.
Roosevelt unfailingly approved the
attacks without Investigation or the
slightest knowledge of facts. These
were reports of Garfield and Smith, the
work of mere puppets, who jumped
when Roosevelt pulled the strings"
Asked If he thought the Standards
more money, Archbold had testified
they refused to contribute the second
time, was the cause of unjust gov
eminent attacks he bit his lip and
said: well don't know