The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-21
SEAT
IN SENATE MAY
Be INVESTIGATED
Charged That He Received
$25, 900 From Standard Oil
For Improper Service.
THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
FIGURES IN THE CHARGES
Penrose Asked by Archibald to Accent
Craftsmanship and Report Made by
Commission to Congress was First
Submitted to Archibald for Approval.

Submitted to Archibald for Approval.
tBy Judson c. Welliver,
Washington. Aug. 21.-Before tho
close OF the present session Of congress
resolution will, in all probability. he
introduced in the senate directing the
committee on privileges and elections
to Investigate the title of Senator Roies
Penrose of Pennsylvania to seat.
The resolution will recite charges
recently published, that Senator Pen
rose received $4,000 from the Stand
ard OIL company subsequent to serv-
ices of the United States Industrial
Standard Oil company.
If the resolution is not introduced
now 1t will likely come early in the
december session; but present indica-
tions are that it will come this session.
This move will inaugurate the open
ing Of a vastly more important and
sensational case even than that Of
William IIorimer.
The people who are moving in the
present campaign to test Penrose's
claim to his seat are anxious to make
no mistake by reason of undue haste.
1T developed today that since the pub
lication of the $4,000 charge steps
have beer taken to get together the in
formation in detail on which to sus-
tain demand for investigation.
1t is believed this will be possible
before the end of the session.
If the inquiry is ordered it will in
all probability go into many matters
which have not thus far received con-
gressional attention. hut to which a
vast deal of publicity has been de-
voted in connection with the use of
money of great corporations, especial
ly the Standard OH company to influ-
ence legislation.
Letter to Boies.
The specific case on which the de-
mand for investigation will he based
deals with the industrial commission.
Ihat organization was set at work
about dozen years ago to study the
dealings of great combinations.
1t devoted itself especially to Stand
ard oil. Senator Kyle Of South pako-
ia was the first chairman of the COM
mission Kyle died before the work
was done. and apparently the Stand
ard Oil was concerned to be certain
that new chairman be named who
would have amiable regard for its in
terests. AT any rate. the current edi-
tion of Hearst's magazine publishes a
letter which it declares was written
to Senator Penrose demanding that
Penrose accept the chairmanship Of
commission.
The letter making this demand fol-
lows:
July 3, 1901.
Hon. Boies Penrose, Phila.. Pa.
My dear senator: Following the
lamentable death of Senator Kyle We
are strongly Of the opinion that you
should take the chairmanship of in
dustrial commission. This seems en-
inently fitting from every point of
view. Your name as chairman will
undoubtedly give to the report excep-
tional assurance of integrity and intel
ligence. You are the ranking SEN
atorial member of commission: the
interests of your state are pre-eminent
of the matters; lastly. and may we
hope not unfairly, we make it as a
strong personal request. May I VEN
ture to ask for an affirmative answer
by wire, so that we may do what seems
possible to aid the matter?
With regards, I am. very truly
yours.
Penrose did not want to be chair
man and Colonel Clarke was brought
forward for that position. He was
supported by Archbold and Penrose
and was finally made chairman.
Made Innocuous Report.
At the first meeting Of the commits
sion following the death of Kyle, the
commission was composed in the main
of senators and congressman. 1t con-
Quoted the investigation. and in due
course report thereon was written.
This report was innocuous in char
acter-from the viewpoint Of Stand
ard oil-and the reason why it was so
is suggested by the fact that another
letter indicates that 1t was submitted
to John d. Archbold. president Of the
Standard oil, for his approval. before
1t was made the official report Of given
general publicity.
Concerning the correspondence pub
lished by the Hearst magazine is pre-
sented this letter:
'26 Broadway. New York.
FEB. 21. 1900.
'Hon Boies Penrose. senate cham
ber. Washington, D. C.
My dear senator: have your
kind note Of yesterday with enclosures,
which latter I beg to return herewith.
We think the report is so fair that we
will not undertake to suggest any
changes.
with many thanks. 1 am. yours
very truly.
John D. Archibald"
Sent Eight Days Later.
That letter, dated February FL. is
interesting, that the report was sent to
congress March 1. just eight days lat
er. The correspondence would indi-
cate that the then vice president, now
president of the corporation under in
vestigation was given the privilege of
reading and suggesting changes of the
report before congress saw it,.
An interesting and suggestive detail
in this connection is that among the
names attached to this report was that
of William Lorimer.
Applied WhjteWash Brush.
At that time ne was member Of
the house of representatives.
The report pointed out. in its In
paragraphs. that it should
be kept clearly in mind through all
the discussions that great capital or a
great combination of capital has no
necessary relation to monopoly, al
though 1t seems that virtual mo-
may be secured from the in
fuence which comes from great cap
ital."
Further. the report condemned
over capitalization, and then found
that Standard oil was not guilty of
over capitalization.
II also found Standard oil was tus-