Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-04
ILLINOIS PROBERS
DEF|ED BY insult
Challenging Senate's Right
to Ask About Funds, He
Refuses Information.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, August 4.--Authority of
the Senate TO inquire into campaign
contributions to other than senatorial
primary campaigns was challenged
today by Samuel Insult, public utili-
ties executive of Chicago.
insult, who has testified to contribu-
tons of $172,925.19 in the senatorial
campaign of Illinois. advised the Sen.
ate campaign funds committee that he
took this position on the advice of his
counsel. He then read a statement
prepared by his counsel setting forth
his views that the authority of the
committee is limited.
Now | shall ask YOU some Ques
tons" Chairman Reed said Did you
not give or cause to be given on your
behalf money to Charles Y. Barrett
for use in the primary"
IF you want to put it that way"
Chairman Reed then made the rec
ord complete by asking insult If he
gave money for campaign use to Rob-
ert f. Grove and Homer *. Galpin.
The utilities magnate declined to an
swer.
Mute to Other Queries.
Roy O. West has testified that you
gave him 10000 Is that the fact?"
L have to make the same answer to
this whole series of questions and l
have nothing more to say on that sub
ject."
did YOU contribute any money to
promote the nomination of Senator
Deneen?'
insult reelected a moment,
II really don't remember" he said.
Il was trying to recall whether I was
in the country al the time"
My recollection is Mr.. Barrett tes-
tilted YOU gave him $4,000. Is that
500"
My statement covers that ques-
ton
George r. Stafford of Monmouth.
ILL.,. superintendent of the State Anti
Saloon League, telegraphed. accepting
service on a subpoena and advising
the committee thar he would be on
hand tomorrow. He is to he question.
ed about activities Of the dry organi.
cation in the primary.
Another witness was G. F. Lowrie,
secretary of the Progressive party OF
Illinois. who appeared at his own re.
quest to deny that insult had con.
tributed any money 10 Farley r.
Christensen, Progressive party candi-
date for the Senate, or to other candi-
dates of that organization. LoWrie
said no single contribution to the Pro
gressive party fund during the pri.
mary campaign amounted 10 more
than $25.
Former Representative Copley.
whose home is in Aurora, ILL.,, identi-
fed himself as a publisher. explaining
that he had sold out his holdings in
the Western United Gas~and Electric
Co. and affiliated compan MES on Janu-
airy %. He still holds an honorary
position on the board.
Utility Sale Told.
Representative Copley said the pub
lie utility serves about 100 towns in
Jackson, Franklin. Williamson and
Perry Counties. The company also
owns about 30 miles of interurban
railroad and about 40 miles of city
roads In Aurora and Elgin.
The witness said his stock was
bought by a. F.. F'itkin Of New York
and f, H. Rollins & Sons. but that he
still has n large holding of the I'M
DERIVING securities.
ITO be frank, l took all the cash ]
could"
Chairman Reed developed that the
Illinois Commerce Commission APP
proved an application of the utility in
II. 1928.
When did you make your first con
tribution to Smiths campaign fund.-"
Reed asked.
1T was after that" Copley said.
Smith is chairman of the Commerce
Copley said he sup
ported Smith for the Senate six years
ago.
did you contribute anything like
$25, 900 them" Reed asked.
NO, but 1 gave several thousand
dollars"
did any of the money you gave
come directly or indirectly from your
compa nies?"
Not directly. but indirectly, rs my
income was from the compa MES and
their sale"
Copley said that his last contribu-
ton to Smiths campaign was made
after he had sold out his utility inter-
ests.
did any of your assistants con-
tribute any money to the campaign
II could not say"
Were you one Of those anti-World
Court enthusiastic"
mo, sir"