The Washington times., 1912-08-14

committee In 1904, following the visit of
Mr.. Hartman to the White House, and
that only 100000 of this was turned
over to the Republican state committee
of New York, we're statements made to-
/ day by former Gov b. B. Odell before
the Senate committee which is ipvest-
eating campaign contributions.
According to Governor Odell. Mr.. Har-
riman told him he had raised the whole
$4,000. Mr.. Bliss. treasurer of the COM
mittee, did not have hand in 1t, ac-
cording to the version Hartman gave
Odell, Governor Odeii >received the
100000 in the form OF check signed
by Mr.. Bliss as treasurer Of the ma
tional committee.
Moreover, the money Hartman raised,
SO far as 1t concerned State purposes.
was not because the State was In dan
ger of going Democratic, according to
Governor Odell. 1t was needed to pay
obligations to the county chairmen con-
tracted by Mr.. Odell as State chair
man. ... .
The fact was brought out that. in re-
rllnan le and ar BY By Harrimsn s to the = Presi-
| dent, Mr. Roosevelt was willing IL neccs-
sary to help things In New York In the
1904 campaign to sidetrack Chauncey NJ
|
ing him to France as ambassador, thus
leaving the road open for the first choice
Of the organization, former Gov. Frank
| M. Black. '.'t
Ticket Never In Danger.
Contrary to other versions given of the
Hartman contribution and the circum-
| stances of the visit Of Mr.. Hartman to
the White House, Mr.. Odell declared
neither the national nor the State Re-
publican ticket was In danger Of defeat
at the time. Victory for the Republi-
cans, Mr. odell said, was assured in
September Of that year. ..
Governor odell devoted most. of his
! testimony today to the famous episode
| arising from the Hartman mission to
the White House at the invitation of
| President Roosevelt. He began by say
ing he was governor OF New York from
1901 to 1906, and State chairman in 1904.
| Records we're kept Of receipts, and ex-
penditures In the campaign, by the
| State committee, but they were destroy
ed at the close Of the campaign. About
100000 was collected by the State COM
mittee outside Of the money given by the
national committee that year. The ma
tional committee gave the New York
State committee $50. 900.
Mr.. Odell explained that early in the
campaign, Chairman Cortelyou and
Treasurer Bliss agreed the national COM
mittee would give half a million to the
New York State committee.
| Senator Clapp asked Mr. Odell II his
attention was ever called to the letter
written by Mr.. Hartman to Sidney
Webster. In which Hartman said he
had been invited by President Roosevelt
Yes" replied Mr.. Odell.
State what You know about the mat
ter" -
Talk With Roosevelt. "a
Early in October, 1904, was request
ed by Mr.. Hartman 30 -fiinch with him.
I went to his office, and during lunch
he showed me a letter from President
Roosevelt. asking him to come to the
White House. We had some conversa-
ton about it. and about what Mr..
Roosevelt wanted. I said that. in my
opinion. it related to the financial condi-
tton Of the national committee. which
| was at rather a low ebb
"Mr. Hartman didn't care to go, but
after talking 1t over at some length he
said he would. I requested Mr.. Harri-
President the political condition in New
Yo-k with reference to the coming Sem
atorial situation, saying that the or
ganlzation was for Governor Black, but
Depew and I suggested that 1t would be
a happy solution to- send Mr.. Depew as
ambassador to France. Mr.. Hartman
went to Washington and few days
I was correct and that the President
was concerned about New York and
would be glad to have Mr.. Hartman
help. asked him about what the
alton in New York. He said the Presi-
dent had said to him that, II necessary,
he would do as requested. Mr.. Harri-
man said to me that he was ready to
sested that he walt until the national
committee had exhausted other re-
sources.
subsequently, Mr.. Cortelyou came to
my office and said the national commit
tee had been unable to raise the bal
snce Of $4,000 needed by the State COM
mittee.' said this was very embarrass-
ing to me. I called up Mr.. Hartman
the State committee this was the OPP
portunity.
| Hartman Raised Sa4o,ooo.
Governor Odell said Cortelyou and
Bliss went to, Harriman's office and
talked matters over and that afternoon
Mr.. Hartman telephoned him he had
raised $4,000. which he turned over to
Mr.. Bliss.
"Mr Bliss gave me check for $780,
900 and I signed receipt" said the
former governor.
The witness pointed out that this was
at variance with testimony given by
Mr.. Sheldon and said Mr.. Sheldon was
! partly correct. Mr. odell then explained
about his agreement with the national
committee in July, 1904. whereby the
State committee was to get $500, 900. OF
. this. $4,000 had been paid up to the
time when Mr.. Cortelyou called on him.
, and said the national committee could
not raise the balance;
The sum of $4,000 was needed foI
a poll of New York county, and this
, was paid the State committee in a check
from Mr.. Bliss. as was also a check
for $4,000 for manning the polls at time
of registration.
Regarding statements of Mr.. Sheldon
that Odell made an appeal for funds
: late In the campaign. the former COVER
: nor said the $4,000 was needed to carry
out agreements with the various coun.
. ty chairman and the various district
lea ders 1900 In number.
Concerning other statements by Shell
don in letter to Roosevelt, In which