The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1912-12-19
ASSERTS HEARST
BOUGHT LETTERS
Ex-senator Foraker Submits
Statement to Committee.
SAYS men WERE WELLPAID

Former Standard Oil Employees Re-
ceived $4,000 for Alleged Core
bold n Certain Senators and
Representatives.
Washington, Dec. 19.-Former Sen
ator J. b. Foraker produced a state
ment before the senate campaign eX-
penditures investigating committee,
prepared by Gilchrist Stewart, pur-
porting TO be based on a description
by W.. w. WINFIELD, Of how Wink
field and Charles Stump took the
'Archbold letters" from the Standard
Oil offices and sold them to a repre-
sentative of William r. Hearst.
"Mr. Hearst said he did not know
how the letters were procured" de-
clared the former senator. Such a
preposterous story as that you might
tell to the marines but to no one
else"
Mr.. Foraker declared that about a
week ago he had Mr.. Stewart go to
Chicago, where WINFIELD was work
ing as a waiter at 1926 Wabash ave
nue., and ascertain what he knew.
Upon the Interview he said Stewart
had based his report. What that re-
port contained Mr.. Foraker proceeded
to detail. declaring that he did not
Vo,,1h for ift npnlIrnpu IJn aIdn1
that the committee could call Wink
field.
According to the statement present
ed, WINFIELD and Stump noticed a
newspaper item about the sale of let
tiers, and taking some of the Arch
bold files tried to sell them but failed.
Finally they wrote a letter to the New
York American, making the offer and
the next day called up. They insisted
upon talking to Mr.. Hearst, but were
c%ontented to meet a representative
in the Little Savoy" saloon.
Did Business With Eldridge.
AS a result of that conference they
went the next day to the private edi
torial Office of the New York Amer
lean, where a man named Eldridge
talked to them. They were told that
Mr.. Hearst stated that they were per
forming a great public duty. They
talked as to the price with Eldridge
wanting sic, 900, but getting a prom
Use Of only $4,000.
The next day they delivered the let
torS IN EJdri1vn IN ha nhnfnpran or
and received fifty 800 bills.
The statement declared that other
letters were wanted and that Wink
field and Stump were given a list o.
200 senator's, congressman, judges anC
governors, with the assurance that let
ters from them to Archbold would b,
paid for well. For one batch of such
letters they claimed to have received
$4,000 and for another $4,000. For
the Penrose, Hanna and Foraker let
ters the statement said Eldridge paic
them $1,000.
evidently we were the fat cattle,
remarked Mr.. Foraker.
In all, the statement continued, $34,
900 was paid to the two men.
Both WINFIELD and Stump wer'
employed in Mr.. A~rchbold's Office a
the time the letters disappeared
WINFIELD, a negro, is a SOL of MI
Archbold's butler.
Foraker Denies Charges.
The ex-senator vigorously denied b
had ever made a false statemen
about the Standard OIL letters. The
he took up the Archbold letters in dc
tail, explaining them by statement
and explanations. He said there wa
nothing to show that he ever did AM
thing to kill Ohio legislative bills.
Foraker explained that at n tim
he had asked for $4,000 to assist
l.. Rogers of Columbus in the purchas
of q newsp The pr9ntrt> was nc