Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-08-14
|. R. ARRANGED
HARTMAN FUND,
DECLARES ODELL
Contributor Called to
White House,
He Asserts.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-Former
Governor Benjamin B. Odell, of New
York. today told the Senate commit
tee investigating campaign funds, a
tee investigating campaign funds, a
story of E. H. Harriman's $240, 900
contribution of 1904 so different from
that told to the committee by George
r. Sheldon, that members of the COM
mittee asked Mr.. Odell how he ac-
counted for the variances.
The former governor remarked that
Cornelius N. Bliss, treasurer of the
Republican national committee in
1904, might have told some white
lies" to Mr.. Sheldon about it. Shell
don was associated with Bliss un-
officially in 1904 and was treasurer
in 1908.
The substance of Mr.. Odell's testi-
mony was that President Roosevelt
asked MI. Hartman in 1904 to come
to the White House to talk about
campaign funds. Following thai
talk, said Mr.. Odell. Mr.. Hartman
raised $24o, 900 for the campaign and
turned it over to the Republican ma
tional committee. Mr.. .Qdell said he
received $200.OD0 of that contribution
for the New York State campaign and
the balance remained in the hands
Of the national committee.
offered to Clear Situation.
Mr.. Odell testified that Mr.. Harri-
man had told him Colonel Roosevelt
had agreed that If necessary he would
help out in the New York Senatorial
situation by appointing Senator
Chauncey M. Depew ambassador tc
France, thus leaving the Senatorial
| contest clear for Frank S. Black, for
mer governor of New York.
Mr.. Sheldon had testified thai the
contribution had been arranged be-
tween Mr.. Bliss and Mr., Hartman
and that Colonel Roosevelt never
knew anything about it until a long
time after election" He denied thai
1t had been a subject of correspond
ence between the former President
and Mr.. Hartman. Mr.. Sheldon had
further testified that Mr.. Odell had
come to Mr.. Bliss to see about raising
money for the State campaign and
that later MI. Hartman and Mr.,
Bliss had got together about $3.50, 900
which was handed over to the State
committee and never went to the ma
tional committee"
Explains His Relations.
After his story of the contribution
Mr.. Odell explained his relation with
the national committee that year. He
said that in July, 1904, an agreement
had been made between himself and
the national committee, represented
by Mr.. Cortelyou and Mr.. Bliss,
whereby the national committee was
to give the New York State Commit
tee $500, DOC.
Early In the campaign Mr.. Odell
said he got 100000 from the commit
tee for a canvass of New York city,
and later $50, 900 for manning the polls
during registration. In all 5000, 900 OF
an expected $4,000 900 was turned over
before MI. Cortelyou called on him to
say he was unable to pay the rest.
There was no question in my mind
as to the success of the national AMI
State tickets that year." Mr.. Odell
continued. what embarrassed ms
was that l had agreed to give to the
various district chairmen in New
York along the Hudson river and in
the counties on Long Island consist
ing of 1900 district and containing
5000 voters, this 5000. 900 the national
committee owed me-"