The Washington times., 1912-09-30

New. then chairman OF the national
committee, and was a sort Of account
ing offhe stewardship.
The Contributions Raised.
il gave figures on the amounts raised
by the national committee in four cam
paigns. as follows:
wv. ......................... &l.60O0W
lyO6. ...::.:..;................ 3,b00.0OO
igoo-Littie less than...... 100000
lWi......... 2,l99,OOO
In this letter the elder Bliss defended
the policy OF the committee, saying that
no campaign had ever been conducted
on a higher plane than that OF 1904.
No moneys had been asked or received
that II was not proper to use: criticisms
and attacks represented the imaginings
Of diseased minds No names OF con-
tributors were mentioned in this com
munication. and the writer expressed
the opinion that there was no reason
why they should be made public. He
believed the donor to such cause was
as much entitled to secrecy as the voter
who casts secret ballot
Next, Mr.. Bliss handed the committee
copies Of letters from President Roose-
welt and William Howard Taft. both
treasurership Of the national committee.
and expressing the feeling that his as
sumption OF that position would con-
vince donors that all resources would
proper ways.
Interview With Bliss, Sr.
Following the presentation OF these
papers, Mr.. Bliss attention was called
to q purported interview with his faith
er. December "a. 1911. on campaign
funds. Witness said he never heard
his father comment on the interview.
He had presented to the committee. he
said. all papers he could find and knew
nothing more bearing on the subject.
Ever hear your father mention II. ii.
Rogers or John d. Archbold?' asked
Mr.. Bliss smiled broadly and said
NO" He had never heard his father
talk about contributors.
Who was his assistant as treasurer"
Mr.. Robert Dixon. think" was the
reply.
is he livingr'
II think not"
Thus one more OF the men who might
have known was conveniently out of
the way. Mr.. Bliss said his father.
had all the books destroyed. He didn't
copies Of books or lists of contributors
witness said. They had been kent
many years. He didn't know of any
copies OF books or lists Of contributions
being kept or given to anybody. Asked
and helped keep the books. witness said
he couldn't name any.
Talked With Sheldon.
Have you talked with any national
committeeman or representative Of the
committee, since this investigation
! started7"
Not that I know Of"
with George r. sbeldon. trea.urer
-, a.. x,,,
VI VIC Na.'oai so'ee nv"
YES. l have talked with him."
Did ne ever audit these books"
NON n.as,d.n, ~ ,ha rourth Sa,,ona,
81. -, ~. VII a,s al, ,h.,, :.
anna,ar po,,auana n.no.r., I'll, -,
Oh. ALLEGED s,ond.rd oil con, rihv,s,n
y, ,.oi Witness d,dn., he,,eve hc eyer
dI.cu...,, 4, With hi. Gather ana N. had
49,, rono,,a,,inn or ,r,orna,Ion ,h.,
would help the committee get knowl-
edge.
''Did vou ever DESTROY any papers or
records OF the campaisn Of IssiY'
"None that / know Of that would
place light on this inauiry. 1 have de-
stroysd many papers' as executor of
my father. hut moi s,,ch "a would en-
iigbten hi. innuiry"
Mr., Bliss named Charles DueIl and
Robeft Dixon as assist a mis- of his father
In iaoa He did moi know why Joseph a
Cannon audited the books. but assume
I II NAV have been al his fathers re-
4 mest as his father had long been n
| director in the Cannon bank.
| "You DESTROYED these books and ma :
pers before his inquiry was Ordered
"Yes. l did"