The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1912-08-30
ARCHBOLD TELLS OF
STANDARD OIL GIFT
Corroborates Penrose's Story
OF Campaign Contribution.
Charges in Effect that Strenuous At.
tacks en- the Oil Company Were In
spred by Failure to Secure
Second Contribution.

John D. Archbold of the big Stand
ard Oil company, at Washington cor
rOborated under oath all the state
ments that have been made by Sena-
tor Penrose of Pennsylvania in regard
to the Standard Oil company's contri-
button of S125,OO0 to the Roosevelt
1904 campaign fund and the subse-
quent effort to obtain another contri-
button of $4,000 from the same
source.
Mr.. Archbold, in his testimony be-
fore the senate investigating commit
tee, went even further than did Sen
ator Penrose. He charged in effect
that President Roosevelt's attacks
upon the Standard Oil company were
inspired by the failure of the com
pany's directors to give up the $780,
600 that was asked for by Mr.. Roose-
velt's national treasurer, the late Cor
neliuS n Bliss.
Claim Bliss Says T. r. Was Advised.
Mr.. Archbold testified emphatically
that Cornelius N. Bliss had assured
him that he had informed both Pres
ident Roosevelt and Mr.. Cortelyou of
the Standard Oils 100000 contribu-
ton to the Roosevelt campaign. That
Mr. Bliss made this stateemnt was
also made under oath by Mr.. Penrose,
who declared he heard him say in the
presence of Mr.. ArchbOld that Both
Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. COrtelyOu had
been fully advised of the first con-
tribution and were extremely soliciti-
Gus to have Mr., Bliss request for the
second one complied with.
Mr. Archbold also asserted that he
had personally received this assurance
from Mr. Bliss, but that he had made
such assurance one of the conditions
of the gift.
Wanted Gift Appreciated.
Mr. Archbold testified that the
Standard Oil board Of directors in de-
Gliding to contribute 100000 instruct
ed him that it would be given only
with the understanding that it would
be accepted and appreciated" by
Roosevelt.
Senator Penrose again testified I'M
der oath that he had heard Mr. Arch
bold state this condition to Mr. Bliss
and the latter's reply that the Stand
ard Oil people need have no fears on
that score.
Mr.. Archbold made further state
ment against George B. Cortelyou,
was chairman of Mr.. ROoseVelt's 1904
Republican national committee. He
declared that Mr.. Bliss. when he asked
for the second contribution of $780,
600, said that he wished Archbold to
meet Cortelyou and to have the chair
man explain the conditions which
necessitated further contribution.
CorteIyou Absent.
THE engagement was made TO
meet Cortelyou," said Archbold
''Was it kept?" asked Senator Pom
creme.
mo" said Archbold ''Mr Bliss
came alone and said, We'll, you see I
am alone. Mr. Cortelyou did not
think it advisable to come and he
told me that whatever I might say
should be considered as said by him."
Mr.. ArchbOld said that Mr. Bliss
was one of the most honorable and
upright men he had ever known and
that he would accept his word on
anything.
Mr. Archbolds testimony disclosed
the fact that the contributions to the
Roosevelt campaign were made in
September and that the request for
the second contribution came about
the middle of October. Mr.. Roose-
velt's admonitory letter to Mr.. Cortel-
you was not written until Oct. "a.