The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-04-07
CAMPAIGN AID
BY LARGE OIL
INTERESTS UP
Democratic National Treas
urer in 1920 Is Called Up
on The Witness Stand
HAMoN STORIES TOLD
Ambitions of Former Repub-
lican Committeeman from
Oklahoma Are Related

Washington, April 7.-(By the A.
P.)-The question of contributions
to the national campaign funds by
oil interests received the momentary
attention of the oil committee again
today.
Wilbur w. Marsch, former trea-
surer of the Democratic national
committee, the first witness, was
questioned about contributions by E.
l.. Doheny to the DenlocratI war
chest. Marsch said he had no recol-
lection as to the specific cont1;bu-
tions Of Doheny in the 1920 cam
paign. 1t would be necessary, he
said, to consult the records of the
committee which are in Washington
headquarters.
The committee then called w. S.
Kistler of Tulsa, Oklahoma, presi-
dent Of the Producers and Refiners
Corporation. He said he was not at
the Republican national convention
in 1920 but identified himself as "a
Republican at this time" He was
not requested to solicit campaign
funds in 1920, he testified, but was
asked to make contribution which
he did, subscribing 1925.
; The witness insisted under re-
peated questioning by Senator Spen-
Ger, Republican, Missouri, that Henry
H. Davidson of the National City
Bank of New York never had &C
quested him to solicit campaign
funda nor had he told anyone tnat
Davidson had done so.
lannon's Ambition
J. B. French of Oklahoma City was
the third witness to be called in Is
minutes. He identified himself as an
oil operator.
"Did you know Jake Hamon?" ask.
cd Senator Walsh
every well", said the witness 81
'yas associated with him in business
from 1917 until the time of his
Ieath."
French said Hamon had discussed
With him before hand his plans con-
"erning the 1920 convention. Hamon
lad wanted first to be elected Re.
publican national committeeman fol
oklahoma and then to help nominate
General Wood.
While the national committeeman
light was won, the witness added, he
and General Wood broke and then hi
yent for Governor Lowden. 1t was
his intention to control the Oklahoma
: delegation.
Wouldn't Go In Cabinet
81 don't think the President hat
my place Jake Hamon would have
:ccepted," French said. "After th'
domination of Harding | asked Ham
on if he would be in the Cabinet ant
lie told me he would not"
Asked what lannon's campaign fo1
national committeeman had cost
French said Hamon told him it cos
him "too much" and he was sorry h,
got in the fight.
AS to the general election he sai'
Hamon said he spent $4,000
through 400 persons in the state.
Records of the Hamon estate shov
he was heavy borrower of money
French said, but he could not sa
if loans negotiated in New York o
other places had been obtained at 0
about the time of the Chicago con
vention.
"Did Hamon ever say anything t.
you about money he spent at tn
Chicago convention?" asked Walsh.
Eyes, sir, he said, have $25,000 S
that the hotel bills of Mr.. Hardin
at the Congress hotel would be fix
ed.'"
"To whom did he say he gave it?
"To Phil Miller"
Miller, a former Attorney Genera
Of Ohio, managed Harding's pre-con
vention campaign in Oklahoma.
"Did Hamon ever tell you what h
expected to get out of all this pun
sued Senator Walsh.
"No," French replied.
Senator Spencer asked French
he was Democrat.
eyes, Texas Democrat, than
God" was the reply.
"Was anything ever said by Hamo
about oil land leases?' asked Sena
tor Spencer.
yl"Nothing whatever"
"When you spoke of $4,000 pa!
ment for Harding's hotel expense
you did not mean his personal es
penses?"
"No, it was for the Harding CON
mittee expenses-headquarters e.
penses."
Story Is New
Robert F. Wolfe of Columbus, pull
Usher of the Ohio State. Journal, an
a supporter of Leonard Wood in tn
1920 pre-convention campaign, We
called to the stand.
"From various sources" said Ser
ator Walsh, "information has com
to US that you know something abol
an offer made. to General Wood
encompass his nomination"
81 know nothing about that" Wolf
said. "The first heard of it wa
when read of it in the papers sine
the eNinvestigation began
Wolf said he took no part in OF
posing Harding in Chicago; thu
Continued on page 81