Evening star., 1912-07-16
Mr.. .BeImont's Estimate of
Campaign Contribution.
TELLS OF FIGHT IN 1904
Not Positive as to Exact Amount He
Gave to Committee.
IS ASKED MANY QUESTIONS
Nothing From Corporations, He
Testifes-Donation of $4,000
From Havemeyer Returned.

A quarter of a million dollars was the
estimate that August Belmont testfying
today before the Senate committee In
vestigating campaign contributions, plac-
ed upon his contribution to the demo-
cratic national committee in 1904. He was
not sure that was the sum- but was
satisfied to let it go at that"
My habit has been that If 1 feel re-
sponsble for anything my obligation is
not measured by dollars and cents" said
Mr.. Belmont when Senator Paynter ask
ed if his large contribution embarrassed
him. Mr.. Belmont was member of the
campaign executive committee in 1904.
Mr.. Belmont told first of advancing
$50, coo to the democratic national COM
mittee. He said he had been reimbursed
E42, 600.
Those committees always start out
that way, he explained. They ask for
advances, and then begin to raise funds.
Later they reimbursed me, so that the
balance of $1,000 was only a contribu-
tion.''
He remembered he had paid 1.-TWO small
items of $1,000 each to Maurice Cucor,
a Hungarian leader in New York.
Not Sure as to Sum.
Senator Jones asked Mr.. Belmont for
the total of his contribution. The wit
ness thought he could not remember.
Was it more than s5oooo?"
"Oh, yes
"One hundred thousand dollars?"
1T must have been more than that"
WAS it $250OOO?'' pursued Senator
Jones.
Il doubt it, 1 tried to remember. but
find l cannot said Mr.. Belmont.
Senator Jones tried a new tack.
Did you contribute by cash or check?"
Very often by cash.
And check?' queried Senator Paynter.
Seldom by check. / cannot remember
the exact amount but / am satisfied with
an estimate of s25O,OOO.''
Senator Jones asked Mr. Belmont how
much he contributed in addition to the
$2oo'oo given to the national campaign.
Gave to Cover Deficiencies.
The witness replied he always con-
tributed to the campaign in his own local.
ity and to the state campaign. He was
not able to tell how much that made In
addition to the $250,OOO.
Lls you care to give any reason why
you contributed SO large a sum7'' inquired
Senator Jones'
II was very active in the nomination."
OeSdu GelIHOHt, ana Hdu DeeH Sc
lected to serve on the committee and
when funds did not come in l just con-
tributed. l never intended to make any
such contribution, but when deficits arose
l contributed"
Mr.. Belmont was asked if he had any
understanding of reward from Judge Par
ker. the presidential candidate.
From the very outset Judge Parker
was a free and independent man and re-
manned So.
Ibid fo
'On the contrary, Judge Parker under
stood from me that there would be moth
ing l could accept. l was very much In
terested in the campaign and contributed
purely as democrat
Nor did you expect to have any spe-
cial legislation? Senator Paynter sug-
gested.
None whatever There was no in
terest with which l was connected that
could be helped by special legislation"
Example of Father.
Before your day you had the example
of father who was liberal campaign
ator Paynter
Il did. l remember as boy attending
the convention of 1885,
Mr.. Belmont was unable to give an ac-
curate estimate of the total of the funds
dt tie ulSpOsdl OI Tie ucIHOCTdllC ndLlOHdl
committee in 1904 When Senator Clapp
asked If 1t were million dollars he
guessed it was not more than $60O. 700
or 100000.
Il never asked for the specific amount
added Mr.. Belmont by way of explana
ton. You see, these things not con-
Quoted like business concern. Keeping
accounts is expensive. and doubt If any
committee ever did it before it was under
obligation to do So
Mr.. Belmont produced a memorandum
showing that March 26, 1906, a47.30 was
democratic war fund. Mr.. Belmont had
then been selected as treasurer of the
national committee. He disbursed SIS,
leaving s419.3O which he turned over
January Is 1903, to w. III. O'Brien, treas
urer. for the presidential fight.
When asked If he could remember any
contributions from individuals Or cor
porations, Mr.. Belmont replied there were
none from corporations.
Havemeyer Gif: Returned.
ANY from individuals for corpora
tions?" asked Senator Clapp.
"No-yes." replied the witness.
From whom?' insisted Senator Clapp.
Henry Havemeyer, but it was returned
1t was secured-I won't say who secured
it-anyway, it came in. Later 1t was re-
Jected and that contribution was returned
l remember discussion in Mr.. Taggart's
room to the effect that the contribution
was regarded as undesirable
Mr. Belmont estimated the Havemeyer
contribution at $4,000. He recalled that
he had asked Morton f. Plant for con-
trbution, and got probably 2,5OO.'
Did you solicit money from your
friends and acquaintances?" asked Sena-
| tor Clapp.
! Some. Yes
| Mr.. Belmont mentioned Mr.. Freedman.
one of my directors on the INTERIOR
| ough"; Delaney Nicoll and MIR. Auer-
| bach as men whom he had asked to con-
| tribute. He said Wall street gave little.
Work of Committee.
who was the most active in raising
| funds?'' the chairman asked.
"Oh, that is thing no one devotes all
his time tor was the response. Assign
| ing speakers and distributing literature
is the great work. Every democrat was
supposed to contribute"
| After telling the committee he was un-
| able to give any information Of the
/ whereabouts of Charles Hail. assistant
| treasurer of the democratic committee In
| 1904. Mr.. Belmont was excused.
| Tomorrow Postmaster General Frank
| Hitchcock, chairman OF the republican
national committee in 1908. will testify.