New-York tribune., 1920-05-28
King Denies
Big Business
Backs w God

promised funds, but did not produce
them, Mr.. King said, so he was forced
| to rely on his own resources chiefly
He had borrowed money and incurred
debts, Mr.. King said.
Tells of FrSck Dinner
! The Frick dinner, which was given
about year ago, was attended by Gen
cral Wood, King and q. number of other
men, including George w. Perkins. Mr.
King said he could not remember all
who were present, but he Knew who did
not attend it. In turn, he denied that
each of the following men, who COM
prise the group, which it has been re-
peatedly charged were present at the
Frick dinner, and who il was charged
arranged at the dinner to finance the
Wood campaign, were among the diners
Dan r. Hanna, Colonel William Coop
er Proctor, Colonel Ambrose Mcneil
T.. l.. Doheny, Harry +. Sinclair, II. NJ
Byllesby, Colonel W. B. Thompson, Z. f.
Smathers and A. A. Sprague.
1--WE might as we'll be fair" Mr. King
told Senator Pomercne, who was ques-
tioning him about the dinner, Cen
eral Wood was invited by Mr.. Frick
vino was an old friend"
No Candidates Discussed
General Wood was in the West ut
that time to meet the Kansas troops
who were returning from France, Mr..
King said. He declared that neither
politics nor ndidates was discussed
at the dinner. There was no division
of the thirty or more guests into iittle
groups, where those subjects might
have been discussed, he added. The
Frick dinner was a gathering of friends
Of the late steel magnate, who very
much liked TO have his inti.mates in for
dinner and show them his art gallery,
the witness said.
Mr.. King testified that if he had had
his way he would have "played the
game wide OPEN" by furnishing enough
money to the politicians to round up
the necessary delegates regardless of
popular sentiment.
received from reliable sources, Mr.
King told the committee, he had as
surances from Senator Penrose that if
General Wood played the game he
might expect help in Pennsylvania at
the proper time.
In questioning Mr.. King the COM
mittee asked repeatedly about the
group of rich men" said to have
agreed to underwrite General Wood S
campaign.
Mr.. King said he had advised Cen
'eral Wood on the occasion Of their
first meeting to put his campaign
into cold storage" and thought he had
succeeded.
Talked Finances With Hanna
"Dd you and Hanna talk about
nnances:" asked Senat,r Reed
"Yes," replied Mr.. King. Hanna
agreed to raise half a million Nollars.
NV as Wood preseut?' 90
"No"
"Where did he expect to raise this
half million"
"Ie didn't say
Old you ever diacuss this with
George W. Perkins before going to the
Trick dinner?"
No" said Mr.. King. 81 nave never
hal any dealings with Perkins"
Whom did you go to the dinner
with ?"
General Wood and I went alone"
The dinner was for Wood ?"
"ves; but Frick was not for Wood
| for President, and never was"
"Were Presidential candidates dis
| cussed?" asked Reed.
"No"
Any matter of public policy?"
"You mean in speeches? ?" asked Mr..
"No,' replied Senator Reed. "Speeches
never mean anything with practical
men,"
az agree with you," said Mr.. King
amid laughter.
Hanna Failed to Deliver
Did Hanna ever turn over any of
this half million to you?" asked Sena-
tor Reed
& "Not Nickel" was the reply
That I don't know" answered the
witness.
Did you ever get any money from
Mr. McGraw," asked Senator Reed, cor
talk to him about expenses
NO"
What explanation did Hanna give
you for not raising the half million 2"
"None"
Whom else did you talk to about
money!"
Il think the next one was Hooker" "
when did you see him."
"ln Chicago, late in the summer"
During all that period matters had
| just drifted %
"Yes"
"Did you know of any other organi-
zation for Wood being organized ?''
asked Senator Reed.
HedIu some organization talk, but
the theory was to do nothing until
fall"
where did you meet Hooker?''
Major Henry F. Hookerl
"At Congress Hotel"
How did you come to meet Hooker 81
Through General Wood. But the
general was never present when money
was discussed"
ooh, of course not" said Senator
Reed
when did you make arrangements
with Hooker for money!"
$4,000 From Hooker
"ln August l reminded him that
Hanna had not raised the money he
promised. The next thing l knew
got two checks from Hooker for $40 .OOO
and $4,000"
There was no letters inclosine
them"
"No"
Did you assume the checks came
from Hooker?"
Il knew he arranged to have then,
sent"
why was it necessary to conceal
the names of the contributors ?"
That | don't know"
Did you ever acknowledge receipt
of these checks?"
NO. replied King
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