Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-28
REPLIES TO WATTERsoN
Wilson Denies Having Asked the
Colonel to Raise Funds.
NEVER AUTHORIZED REQUEST
Ignores Suggestion That q Court Of
Gentlemen Be Selected to Set
tie Issue Of veracity.

NEW YORK, January N-SuggestiOns
by Col Henry Waterson that he solicit
a contribution to the Woodrow Wilson
| campaign fund from Thomas F. Ryan
were met with declarations by William r.
McCombs, Gov. Wilson's campaign man
ager, that Mr. Ryan's money could not
be accepted as such contributions were
not within the spirit Of the Woodrow Will
son campaign" Mr.. McCombs declared in
statement made public here tonight.
His statement follows:
Il have read the correspondence inter-
changed between Col. Watterson and
Senator Tillman which appears in this
mornings papers. had thought that Col.
Waterson's statement of several days
ago itself entirely disposed Of the alleged
incident. I SO stated In an interview q
day or SO afterward. I have made no
statement with reference to It since that
time. From the beginning Of the cam
paign for Gov. Wilson, which ] have
managed, I have received all Of the con-
| tributions made to it. I assume respon-
sibility for them, and / know all their
sources. They have uniformly been made
by people who had no interest except the
contamination Of the ideas which he rep
resents. Not one OF them expects any
other return.
Discussing Regarding Funds.
Amy communication which has been
had between myself and Col. Watterson
regarding campaign funds has taken
place In personal interviews between him
and myself. There have been two inter-
views only. ! intensely dislike to make
q public statement Of g. private CONVEX
gation, and regret vory much that Col.
Wetterson has forced me to do 30. In
October Of last year ! had general
Col Col Watssrson WAITER n 4 the Wsidosf. where be
was stopping. ! Waited him ak his sug.
gestion. In tho course Of that converse
ton he gave e 90 his opinion that
large amount Of money would be needed
would 60 and SEQ his friend. Thomas +.
Ryan, and that he was sure he could In
duce him to make . very large contribu-
ton to tho campaign.
II said 70 him that we could not take
tribuffons were moi Within the spirit OF
the Woodrow Wilson campaign. His re-
I have besn IN politics ATTY years and
counts in q presidential campaign
Again Declined Ryan Money.
IT repeated to Col. Waterson that we
could not take the money. EARLY In De-
cember I met him again and he renewed
the discussion Of Ryan contribution.
1 made the same answer to him that
had made before.
81 heard nothing further from Col. Wat
terson on the subject and thought no
more OF the conversation. I have not
seen him since that time. II I mistake
not there is In implication perhaps In
Col. Watterson's letter to Senator TILL
man-probably not intended-to the effect
from Mr. Ryan. No such contribution
has been made. and this, Of course, Col
Watters0n well knows.
Assaults Helped Wilson.
''The well timed assaults upon Gov.
Wilson are rendering q real service. I
will specify one respect. Since tho be-
ginning Of these attacks have received
in my mail many small contributions
from all over the country from people
who have not been asked to contribute
and whom neither I nor Gov. Wilson
know. Their letters convey expressions
attacks that are being made upon him"
Watterson Declines to Comment.
The statement Of William +. McComb,
Gov. Wilson's campaign manager, was
shown to Col. Watterson here last
night. He read 1t carefully. but said he
had nothing to add to his statement
earlier in the day. He intimated that
he would make no comment unless Gov.
Wilson should express himself.
DENOUNCED By WILSON.