New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-05

in 1906, which I understand was recently
given to your committee; the other let
ter written to George X. Sheldon In lsOS.
Colonel Roosevelt turned to his assist
ants to ask for his letter book. He finally
found the letter he sought, and. stepping
down from the witness chair. handed 1t to
Senator Clapp, who had 1t placed In the
request Colonel Roosevelt read the letter
dated September q. 1908. and addressed to
George r. Sheldon, treasurer of the Re-
publican National Committee. 1t was
practically as follows:
/ am informed that you, or some one on
behalf of the national COMMITTEES. has
been soliciting contributions from cor
porations particularly from John ID. Arcn,
bold and the Standard OIL Company. IL
this is true. / wish TO enter vigorous
protest, and say that not only should such
contribution be refused, but that, II made
II should be Immediately returned.
The letter set forth that "four years
ago Mr.. Cortelyou refused all contribu-
tons" from corporations which were be-
ing prosecuted or were likely TO be prose-
cuted, and that Colonel Roosevelt wished
the same course followed In the 1903 CAM
paign. <>,
Ordered Money Returned.
Colonel Roosevelt read also the letter
of October 25, 1904. to Chairman George
B. Cortelyou, in which he directed that IL
any money had been contributed by the
Standard OIL Company or John d. Arch
bold II should be returned at once
. This letter, ne said, had been referred
TO and partly quoted In his recent letter
to Senator Clapp. 1t was an emphatic
declaration to Mr.. Cortelyou that we
cannot under any circumstances anord
10 take a contribution that might be con-
strued as placing us under an obliga-
ton"
Colonel Roosevelt said that on october
q. 1904, he had sent an extra telegram
10 Chairman George B. Corteiyou. which
he had only recently found. II was sent
from Oyster Bay and referred TO his let
ter 10 Mr.. Cortelyop demanding return
Of the Standard on contribution.
Colonel Roosevelt offered tho committee
the originals of all the letters he had
sent to Chairman Clapp or had read into
the record.
Wen take your word for that" said
Senator Oliver, as the colonel returned 10
the witness chair and testified that he
knew of no other letters bearing on the
subject, and had practically forgotten
the Sheldon letter until he came across 1t
searching his files.
Now In regard to the Hartman
fund.-" began Senator Clapp.
Colonel Roosevelt interrupted and asked
10 explain 'the charges that have been
made" In regular order. and Senator Ciapp
acquiesced.
Declares Testimony Hearsay.
There Is no testimony against me, ex-
ceet in the form Of hearsay evidence" the
colonel said, "hearsay statements OF men
that are dead. Mr.. Archbold and Mr..
Penrose purport to give statements OF
what Mr.. Bliss had to say Mr. Bliss is
dead Mr.. Odell and the other gentlemen
refer TO statements made BY Mr.. Harri-
man, who rs dead
be Colonel Roosevelt said he had not In
tended to bring his former private secre-
tary into the controversy, but that as the
committee had already determined to call
William Loeb, jr., he had asked him 10
bear out his statements
May speak Of letter published In
.Hearsts Magazine from Congressman
Sibley?" asked the colonel, and then went
on: "It is a letter which In substance
states that Sibley came to see me and
speak to me about seeing Mr.. Archbold.
and I said / would be delighted to see
him and asked Mr.. Sibley to bring Mr..
Archbold to luncheon. I don't remem-
Der ever having talked to Mr., Sibley about
that matter, but It is very possible / may
have done So Any invitation that may
have extended was the result Of request
BY Mr. sibley. I always saw any men
brought to me by Representative or
Senator"
/, E., The colonel did not remember ever hav-
ing talked with Mr.. sibley about Mr..
Archbold. He said Senator Bourne had
once brought Mr.. Archbold to luncheon at
Oyster Bay.
...- Saw Everybody.
while I was President" he said, speak
ing slowly and leaning forward, IF any
man, trust magnate. socialist, lawyer or
clergyman, had any business with me
and wanted TO see me. gladly saw him.
And II thought there was anything to
be gained from the standpoint OF the
public service In seeing any man, then,
without waiting for him to ask, would
send for him. II am elected President a
year hence, II Mr.. Rockefeller or any one
else wants to see me I'll see him, and,
moreover, II have anything to ask for
the public service from Mr. Rockefeller.
J. p Morgan or any one else I'll send
for HIM"
Colonel Roosevelt instanced his practice
Of following that policy by saying that
during his administration he had sent
for James Hill. the railroad magnate.
II think sent for J. Pierpont Morgan"
said he; at least I saw Mr. Morgan
In regard to currency questions. At this
moment some Of the same newspapers
that are carrying comments on the sup
posed fact that I sent for Mr.. Archbold
are commenting on the fact that I also
sent for q Socialist, Mr.. Bruere. to help
me draw up my platform. AS to Mr..
Bruere they were right.
III there Is any man from whom ] think
I can get anything OF value to the people
I will send for him. I have sent for
trust magnates and prize fighters I have
sent for John l. Sullivan, Battling Nell
son and Dr. Lyman Abbott" he added,
with a laugh that brought response from