Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-20
CONVICTION OF POLICEMEN
Tells Of Man Who Sought Colonel at
Clapp Committee Hearing.
OFFERED TO BRIBE OFFICER
Was Later Seen Trying to Enter
Room Where Testimony Was
Given.

John Schrank, who shot Theodore
Roosevelt while in Milwaukee last Mon
day night, tried to reach his quarry in
Washington. He made a determined ef-
fort to get close to the former President
when the latter appeared, Friday, Octo-
Der 4, before the Senate committee in
vestigating campaign funds. meeting in
the rooms of Senator Clapp in the Senate
Office building
This is the conviction Of Capitol Police
man NJ. L. Eidsness, who resisted the ef-
forts of the man he is sure was Schrank
to gain access to Col. Roosevelt. The
snapshot photographs of the assassin
taken in Milwaukee after the shooting he
is positive are those of the man he saw
and talked with and to whom he re-
fused admission to the room set apart
for the use of the distinguished witness
His opinion, he declares, is confirmed
by an ex-policeman of the Capitol force,
James Whitehill. who saw a man, whom
Whitehill also believes was Scfrank, try
ing to crowd his way into the committee
room in which the hearing was held.
Whitehill says Policeman Eidsness, over
heard some one say that the man had
gun on him, and his attention was
therefore drawn to the incident.
Guarded Roosevelt's Room.
Policeman Eidsness was recalled from
leave to take charge Of the room placed
at the disposal of Col. Roosevelt while
appearing before the committee. 1t was
one of three, constitution suite No. 226.
assigned to Senator Clapp. and is far
thcst from the room into which the pub
lie was admitted for the hearing, al
though all connect by doOrwayS.
Col. Roosevelt had given his testimony
during the mo; ming session, and. when
adjournment was taken about noon for
lunch, he returned to the room set apart
out with those who attended him, going
to the New Willard to get luncheon.
1t was after this and before l O'Clock
that a man applied at the door of the
room over which Policeman E;idsness
held guard, and asked ii he could be
admitted so that he could see the ex-
President. The man explained that he
had formerly been a republican, but was
now a progressive. and had come all the
the way from Newark to see Iol. Roose-
welt.
He said that he had not been able to
gain admittance to the crowded hearing
room and did not want to go away with
out sight Of the great man. He offered
money to Policeman Eidsncss to induce
him to grant the privilege he asked
The policeman replied that no one would
be admitted to the room except those n
dicated by Col. Roosevelt himself. There
were five persons and no more, given
that privilege, and he told the man that
he could not buy his way in at any price.
Asked About Buttons.
The stranger asked about bull moose
buttons. saying he wished to have one.
The policeman saw the last of him when
the man went down the corridor toward
tho door leading into the room which
such of the public as could be crowded
in had been given admittance.
Col. Roosevelt returned to the room
about 30 o'clock. ten minutes before the
time set for the resumption of the hear
ing. He rested a few minutes. and then
proceeded to the room in which the hear
ing was held.
Policeman Eidsness says that ex-Police-
man Wh1tehill, who is now employed In
the Senate folding room, saw the man
after the resumption of the hearing. when
people were trying once more to crowd
into the room allotted to the public.