The Detroit times., 1912-08-23
t R, APPRECIATED
GIFT, BLISS TOLD
JOHN D. ARCHD0LD
Oil Trust Magnate Testifies Re-
garding $125, 900 Contri-
button to G. o. P.
GAVE 100000 TO
NATIONAL TREASURER
Bliss Came Back for More, But
Magnates Refused to Com
ply With Request

WASHINGTON. Aug. 23.-John d.
Archbold, political strategist, head or
the Standard Oil Co.. and reputed au-
thor OF the so-called ~Archboh let
ters'' to various legislators. today took
the stand before the Clapp committee
OF the senate to tell the secrets Of
how Standard OIL funds helped MI the
Golfers OF the national Republican
committee Ia 1904.
Regarding the $125,OO0 contribution
the oil trust made TO the Republican
campaign fund, Mr.. Archboid said:
Il had no conference with anyone
representing Col. Roosevelt except
Cornelius n. Bliss, treasurer OF the
Republican national committee. We
told Mr.. Bliss we were on the Re-
publican side and wanted to help, but
We did not want TO make a contribu-
ton unless 1t was thoroughly under
stood and thoroughly appreciated BY
Mr.. Roosevelt. Mr.. Bliss smilingly
SAD there need be no apprehension
on that score"
Archbold asserted he might aise
have made small personal egntrfBu-
tion," to the campaign fund.
II do not know II Mr., Rogers or
John d. Rockefeller made any further
contribution" added Archbolas Mr..
William Rockefeller was cognfzsnt Of
this transaction with Mr., Bliss and
Senator Penrose. told him Of Il.
have no personal knowledge Of any
other contributions. I knew Of the
talk about the Hartman c0ntTiba-
tions, but have NO personal know
ledgc OF IT."
We're you solicited personally by
Hartman to contribute" asked Clapp.
mo sir, was not a party 70 II.
understood II was TO be $50 900.
I know OF other contributions only by
newspaper reports"
senator Pomerene at this point
took up Archbold's cruss-examtuation
Il understood II vas eE-Seczetary
Bliss that Brst talked with you sbout
the contribufiong he began
1T was-Gb0ut a week before
gave the contribution the of mag
nate replied ~BIias, Rogers aad ]
wes-t over tue campaign We tzrkcd
about Mr. RooseveIts attitude tow7rd
the business fnterestK- MF- Bliss
sail ne thought Roosevelt would be
fair and impartial. We talked over
party policies and the pfatfurm- We
thought Mr.. Roosevelt vuuEd take q
conservative view on the txrfn- that
II was a party question Gyst Mr..
Bliss expressed strung belief thzt 1tr.
Roosevelt would be fair IN his uruat-
msnt of the business interests Mr..
Bliss urged that Mr.. Rcosevens paTi-
- . ~ H. Eme
ests of business and the country.
Later continued Archboid. Bliss
came to me for more money. He said
he wanted more help. told him that
thought our people had given al
they cared to. That was about three
weeks fateE-early IN October"
AT that tfae was II told you that
Mr.. Roosevelt had agreed 10 accept
the money! asked Ppmesene..
II was assured that he appreciated
what had been done and would Ike
20 have $3.50, 600 more, | parted Bifss
AZ best | could and told him I'D have
10 submit It to the board,
II put ii before the board again ct
our Office. and after full discussion.
we decided we would stand on what
we had aheady done"
Arehboid said he and Rogers went
TO Bliss effice once when Roosevelt
and government bureau heads began
attacking Standard Oil
bliss threw up his hands and sald
he considered IL very unjust attack,
said Arehbeld. But he said he eoaaid
do nothing"
The attacks were by James X. Gar
field and Herbert Knox Smith. ana
the wltness said Roosevelt approved
without any Investigation or any
knowledge OF the facts,
Specifically, Arehbold appeared at
Senator Ciapp's request 10 tell the
| committee. which is empowered to
rrobe tho campaign finances OF both
/ parties In 1905 and 1908. exactly how
! II was that lie gave the RepuDlicans'
(Continued page 1o).