The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-16
He CAVE S25O.OOO
August Belmont Was a Liberal
Contributor
To the Democrat Campaign
Fund in 1904.

| Washington, July ia quarter of
million dollars was the estimate which
August Belmont testified today before
the senate committee investigating
campaign contributions placed upon his
donations to the Democratic national
fund 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 feel re-
sponsible for anything my obligation
is not measured by dollars and cents,
said Mr.. Belmont, when Senator Payn-
ter asked him if his large contribu-
lions embarrassed him.
Mr.. Belmont was a member of the
campaign executive committee that
year. Mr.. Belmont told first of ad-
vancing $4,000 to the Democrat ma
tionaI committee. He said he had been
reimbursed S42, 900, Those committees
always start out that way" he ex-
planned.
They ask for advances ana then be-
gin to raise funds. Later they reim-
bursed me SO that the balance of $4,000
only was a contribution"
The capitalist remembered he had paid
two small items of $1,000 each to
Maurice Cucor. a Hungarian leader i'll
New York.
Senator Jones asked Belmont for the
total of his contributions. The witness
thought he could not remember.
WAS it more than s5O,oOo?'
''Oh. YES"
"One hundred thousand dolIars?''
was it $25O,O00?" asked Senator
Jones'
81 doubt it. I tried to remember but
I find I cannot" said Mr.. Belmont.
Senator Jones tried new tack.
Ibid you contribute by cash or
cheek2"
Let 1t Go at $25O,OOO.
every often by cash.
'And check?'' queried Paynter
seldom by check. I cannot remena-
Der the exact amount but I am salts
fed with an estimate of $3.50, 00O."
do you care to give any reasons
why you gave so large a sum as $780,
% asked Senator Jones.
Il was very active in the nominal
ton" began Mr.. Belmont, land had
been selected to serve on the committee
so when funds did not come in I just
contributed. 1 never intended to make
any such contribution, but when de-
ficits arose contributed
Mr.. Belmont was asked if he had any
understanding of reward from Judge
Parker, the presidential candidate.
From the very outset Judge Parker
was free and independent man and
remained so.'
Nor did you expect to have any
special legislation" Senator Paynter
asked.
None, whatever. There was on in
terest with which 1 was connected
| that could be helped by special legisIa-
ton
Mr.. Belmont was unable to give an
accurate estimate of the total funds
| at the disposal of the Democrat ma
| tionaI committee in 1904. When Sena-
tor Clapp asked if it, were a million
dollars he guessed it was not more
than 100000 or $500, OOO''
/ Mr.. Belmont produced a meInoran-
dunn showing that on March 20, 1906,
/ $443.30 was turned over to him as the
remnant of the Democratic war funds
Mr.. Belmont had been selected as
treasurer of the national committee
He disbursed $2s, leaving s419.3O which
| he turned over January IS, 1908, to w
H. O'Brien, treasurer for the presiden-
tiaI fight.
Havemyer's Money Returned.
| When asked if he could remember
contributions from individuals or cor
porations, Belmont replied there were
none from corporations.
ANY from individuals for corpora
| tions?'' asked Senator Clapp.
"No-yes," replied the witness.
From whom ?'' insisted Senator
Clapp.
Henry Havemyer. but it was
returned. 1t was obtain. ed won't
say who obtained it-any way it came
| in Later it was rejected and that
contribution was returned. 1 remem-
Der discussion in Taggart's office to
| the effect that the contribution was
regarded as undesirable
| Mr.. Belmont estimated the Have
| myer contribution as $4,000 He re-
called that he had asked Morton F.
Plant for a contribution and got prob
ably $500.
Did you solicit money from your
friends and acquaintance? asked
Senator Clapp.
Some. Yes
! Belmont mentioned Mr.. Freedman,