New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-12
FUND IN
1904 WAS S1,9OO,0OO
CorteIyou Does Not Remember
That Any Trust Contrib
uted to 1t.
CARNEGIE'S GIFT $4,000
One Man Who Offered 1000,
Expecting q Diplomatic
Post in Return, Was
Turned Down.
From The Tribune Bureau


Washington. July l1.-George B. Cortel-
YOU, who was in charge of the Republican
Presidential campaign OF 1904, testified be
fore the Senate investigating committee to-
day that $4,000 was contributed 10 carry
on the fight. but was unable to give much
information 70 the committee regarding the
individual contributors.
He asserted fatty however, that the fact
that he was Secretary of Commerce and
Labor when he was chosen to lead the
campaign had nothing TO do with securing
contributions, as in that capacity he had
no more knowledge of corporations than
any one else, the Bureau of Corporations
not having been organized until about the
time that he relinquished his place in the
Cabinet. When he assumed charge OF the
campaign he added. he laid down certain
rules regarding contributions and had little
10 do with the matter of collecting funds
afterVard.
Andrew Carnegie gave $1,000 toward the
81 10000. Mr.. Cortelyou testified Another
wealthy man offered $4,000 or 10000 with
the understanding that he was TO have a
diplomatic appointment as compensation
and was told that no such assurance could
be given.
Efforts OF members Of the committee 70
draw forth the admission that one or an
other OF the big trusts had helped to swell
the fund resulted in failure Mr. Cortelyou
did not remember that any had contributed
and was quite certain the tobacco trust had
not.
Ever hear Of any contribution from the
beef trust" inquired Chairman Clapp
Il never did"
. Senator Clamp went down through a list
Of trusts and came to the tobacco trust
II remember distinctly that the tobacco
trust did not contribute" declared Mr..
Cortelyou. About that time the Treasury
Department made a ruling as TO tobacco
imports shortly afterward some tobacco
people came in with a contribution.
issued orders that no contributions were 10
lie received either from tobacco combine
lions or independents 7 didn't think It
proper"
who was the party" asked Senator Lee.
II do not recall"
The contribution Mr. Cortelyou thought,
was approximately 100000 or 10000.
Chairman Clapp asked Mr. Cortolvou
about a contribution from the late Edward
r. Hartman Mr.. Cortelyou said he Heard
contribution was made, but this was ut
the close Of the campaign. while h Was at
Chicago. He said ne never inquired abou,
the matter.
Senator Clamp asked about a long list
Of possible contributors but Mr.. Cortalyou
could give no Information I'm regard 10
them.
some believe all chairman does IS 20
raise money" said Mr. Cortelyou. 81; Is
not 10 has other business"
He said he knew Of some contributions
around $1,000 several Of them. D." said
were from women, who. he believed, con-
Dributcd because OF long interest ~ the
party or from sentimental reasons. So far
A. hc knew they were not interested I'm
trusts He estimated that between 7,0 and
$40 persons were authorized TO collect
money He said that contribution books
were distributed and many anonymous con
tributlou- wer. made. Just AS 20 chart
table religious ur social ORGANIZATIONS
Mr. Cortelyou recalled that Andrew car
regIe had contributed 500" after lie had
corr"spondcd directly with Mr.. Carn"gi"
about tn" cortrIbuuHu. Nj Cort"lynu said
about 5000 was left lu IN" treasury at
H., end Of the campaign
Referring to the rich man who had a
string to his proNercd gift. Mr.. rortelyou
said.
A wealthy man cam" to headquarters
with an offer 10 contribute something Ike
$1,000 or 5000 As he was not connected
with any big business. "" were glad to
get H. However, In turning it over he
remarked that hc hoped be mlgh be
considered some time for 4 diplomatic post
and In that event that he would have the
good will OF the chairman OF the commit
tee ! told him that he had probably been
misinformed as 10 bow those things were
done, and while ] did not want him to
misund erstaud. that "" could not accept
the contribution"
At the close Of his examination MI Cor
telyou said he desired 10 take fun respon-
sibllity for the campaign contributions. ne
denied that he had been selected as char
man because he had been Secretary ot
Commerce and Labor.