New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-02
IRON The Tribune Bursaul

From me Tribune bureau
Washington, Oct. William Finn or
Pittsburgh, the lone cngel Of the Third
Term party in Pennsylvania, turned the
light backward on his political past, gave
an accounting Of the fortune he had eX-
pended to promote the Roosevelt move
ment and presented an interesting II not
illuminating, commentary on his political
career before the Senate campaign tunu
investigating committee to-day.
Finn somewhat reluctantly admitted
that he had contributed to the campaign
in 1912 s144,S0s 90. q sum larger than
the entire amount-S141,657 64-accoun'-
ed for by z. II. Hooker treasurer of the
Progressive party, as having been eA-
pended by the national organization in the
Roosevelt preliminary campaign up TO
September u. He also admitted that De-
tween IS per cent and 80 per cent OF the
entire amount expended In the State o.
Pennsylvania had come out Of his pocket
obviously the Finn expenditures were
not included in the amount accounted for
by Treasurer Hooker, which was incom'
plete 10 the extent that IL did not include
, the amounts expended IN the pre-conven-
, ton campaign In behalf Of Colonel Roose-
velte candidacy IN Pennsylvania ana
other states in which the fight for dele
( gates was hottest.
The list Of contributors presented by
Mr. Hooker was much more Illuminating,
II disclosed the fact that the two men who
gave the largest amounts TO the national
Roosevelt organization were Dan H.
Hanna and George ". Perkins. OF the
Harvester trust Apparently Boss Finn
was left unhampered 10 devote his large
fortune 10 the conversion Of his own
state, although some thousands Of It vera
sent TO other states.
Mr.. Hooker also testified that Charles
r. Crane. of Chicago, who was recalled by
President Taft as Minister TO China be-
fore he reached his post, had contributed
$4,000 to the LaFollette campaign and
$4,000 to the Wilson campaign, before
che Democratic National Convention, an
apparent example OF destructive" poliu-
cal maneuvring at which the most sea
soned csmpaigners were amazed
Finn in Stage Centre.
II was William Finn. however, erst-
while boss Of Pennsylvania-or, at least,
AIeEncNy
IS situated-who occupied the centre OF
the stage at to-days inquiry He shot his
shafts OF criticism at Senator Penrose
Snd others of his political enemies In the
keystone state, explained to hls own
satisfaction some incidents In his earlier
political career which did not harmonic
with the role Of political reformer Whi, n
he has more lately assumed. and repii' d
70 questions OF members Of the commit
Zee with questions Of his own, until II
became necessary for the chairman TO
remind him that he, no. the committee,
was under examination.
Finn disposed Of the charge of Senator
Penrose that he had offered 100000 OF
even 100000 TO obtain the Senatorship
BY saying, and calling attention 10. the
fact that he was under oath as ne shout
ed II, that Senator Penrose lied" He
testified that the cryptic messages 10 John
d. Archbold, of the Standard OIL Com
rany, regarding his candidacy for Inc
senatorship had been sent by a friend
j. G. Splain, Of Pittsburgh, In his behalf
without his knowledge, but admitted that
he would have been glad TO have had the
aid Of the company.
He explained the contract he had drawn
with Senator Quay. a treaty Of peace pro-
v,ding for the division of political offices
in Allegheny County, by saying that II
vas a trick to gain time TO elect the can
didate he was supporting for Mayor OF
Pittsburgh, and that he had not signed
y and never intended 10 sign It.
In a positive way Finn said he had
'"seen the light" some six, eight or ten
wears ago, not being able 10 remember
the exact day, since which time he had
fought off and on to bring about legis-
,stive reforms in the state. He was care
tul. however, TO draw a distinction be-
tween political organizations and political
machines. He was fighting, he SAID 10
abolish. the latter, but saw no reason 10
get rid Of the former
When ne first took the witness stahd
AIR. Finn submitted to the committee
various accounts covering his expenc'-
,,,rea for the Roosevelt campaign, more
particularly in Allegheny County ana the
state of Pennsylvania. When the COM
roittee insisted on knowing the to'ai
amount he had expended on the Roose-
volt movement, whether In behaE OF
county or state officers. he was disposeo
% rebel. and questioned the ccmmi tee o
authority TO inquire into his personal con-
tributlons to that extent.
chairman Clapp insisted that the reso-
hutton providing for the inquiry gave the
( committee the necessary authority ana
4he Roosevelt leader, after parrying ques-
,,onS for some time with the SENATOR
agreed 20 give the information esked for'
How the Money Was Spent
~ his total expenditures Of sl44.Soa % In
oaban OF the third term candidate Finn
Estimated that s99,S34 was expended on
the Roosevelt pre-convention campaign IN
pannsylyania; A,Al was contributed to
carry on the fight In other states ana
vsr,ous amounts were expended for Incl
dental purposes, such as carrying on
post card campaign.
a., ~ didn't Just exactly know what the
b,l was going 70 cost" said the witness,
hut was perfectly willing to pay IT.
didn't try to get anything from anybody
else. / figure the result was cheap az the
price"
The unsigned contract with senator
QUAY arranging a division Of the pohti-
cal Offices in Allegheny County, rae
sirnile of which. in his own handwriting'
he identified, he Flinn) put forward as
n political trick 10 outwit Senator quay
He said Quay threatened TO send the STATE
.iIAxow' committee TO Pittsburgh and