Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-01
Former National Committee
Chief Holds Oil King Added
S85, ,OC0 to First Gift When
Deficit Threatened.
FINANCING DESCRIBED
FOR SENATE PROBERS
knowledge Of Continental Trading
Company and Bonds Denied,
However, in Report of Magnate's
Generosity to Republican Cause.

BY the Associated Press.
The disclosure that Harry r. Sin
clair made a net contribution Of $780,.
900 to the Republican national COM
mittee after the 1920 campaign was
made today by Will H. Hays, who ap-
peared at his own request as a wit
ness in the Senate Teapot Dome in
Vestigation.
Hays. who is former chairman Of
the national committee, testified that
in addition TO the $4,000 which Sim
clair had previously been credited with
giving the committee. he had turned
over s185.000 in bonds. These bonds
were later returned, but Sinclair gave
back s85.0o0. he said.
The former Republican chairman dis
claimed all knowledge Of the opera
tions Of the Continental Trading Co,
In which Sinclair was interested and
whose financial affairs the committee
is investigating.
Reimbursed Hays Loss.
He explained that it was the inten-
ton to return the $3.50 In bonds to
Sinclair, but at the eno Of campaign
70 wipe out the party deficit he found
that he lacked s85,000 Of the amount.
Il felt bound to reimburse Mr.. Sin
clair in fun and did so. hoping q. the
time that could get some further help
later from others" he said. but this
did not naterialize. ] had suffered
knew. He did not feel that sho',ld
foo tNa1vI nx. An .1f
unfairly returned the $4,000.
Hays, who appeared as the secund
witness Of the day. sat close by Rep
resentatiye Cordell Hun of Tennessee,
who was Democratic manager Of tie
his party received any Of the Coati-
mental honds. The Republican former
chairman was cruss-examined ~ S,na-
tor Walsh. Democrat. Montana, who
sought TO get details OF the delivery cf
the securities by Sinclair. Except to sey
that il took place in New York. Hay 5
could not recall the exact location.
Help to Liquidate Debt.
Hays read q prepared statement on
the financing Of the 1920 campaign.
The witness said that at the enc ci
the 1920 campaign the Republican ma
tional committee found itself in debt
to the extent Of about $i.20o. 900.
Although he had retired from the
committee In 1921 and from the cabinet
in March. 1922. he said he felt . sense
Of responsibility because the deficit had
been incurred while he was chairman
and that he responded TO request from
the treasurer OF the committee in 1923
to aid III the endeavor 10 kQuidats the
remaining Indebtedness.
Tells Of Financing.
Appearing at his own request before
vestigating the disposition Of the profits
of the Continental Trading Co. HAYS
read prepared statnient on the nnanc-
ing Of the 1920 campaign.
II desire 20 say at the outset" HAYS
said. that the only information that
has come TO my knowledge about any
Government bonds once owned by the
Continental Trading Co, ever having
been used for the benefit OF the Re-
publican national committee is the re
port from the investigation Of this COM
mittee
Il did not know of the existence Of
the Continental Trading Co, at the time
assisted i'll raising the dctctt OF the
siAslCItSt SNIiNt6tkSSs Ns1N
first head Of II III the public reports
of the trial III Cheyenne. Wye,
Il do know. however. that Harry y.
Sinclair did turn over TO me for the
benefit cf the Republican national cont
mi,tee III connection With he 3cliest
q certain amoUn, oi GcycEua}Sla BINDS,
and these bonds may or may not have
been originally IN the possession OF the
Continental IraGtng Co"
Committee Si.soa.eee In Debt
The witness also said at the end Of
the 1920 ean9ratS1 the Republican
national ccmral ,0Usd Itself III debt
10 the extent ~ &cN3s Ss,soo, ,lNp,
Telling of his personal appeal 20 the
wealthy oil operator for funds TOR the
committee. the former chairman said
Sinclair had told him he woald make
personal contribution which. he
thought, should not exceesd $rAoeo>
lie also said he would turn ever -
uS approximately $iSs.ooo IN Govern
mens eoadS IN addition 10 his censrieu-
tion for such uSe as might hecMae
necessary usN,n my ASSURANCE that he
wo0id ee repaid the total amount aa-
vanced In excess W the $fS,eeN c<sls~
srihatson." HAYS continued
both the sfanoo and the $iSS,eco
we're. think, In Government bonds,
A portion NJ the $lsS.elo Of Govern
ment bonds Mas used as hereinafter
stated and this advancement. ateng
with contributions BY many others.
enabled the TREASURER IT, announce 20
the committee AZ the nss>emser meeting
that the Indebtedness MAS provided fer,
heaas Net Recorded.
so far AZ know no eSsxd MAS
made W the numbers a these
etaids ~ even NJ their particular isssse.
aanas tetaiiag $7s,eaa, e<nlstttutR,s
MIR, Sincsatr's personal contribution.
were applied sM the ccsaaMittseS tnaShe.
eaneSs az the kn,pise Eyast ca, Through
the chairman cf ,sS h.arys. Cen. y
Coleman da Fcnt, ana ssa.eae ed tNe
original $iss,eea reSStea hum Mr.
Sinclair we're returned by NE IL My
Sinclair
"ct the approximately $SS,lSo r~~
manning delivered Saa.paN tn sew.
tags John W, Weeks ri hswtaa t. b.
used by HIM in his etf2(s 10 raise
money tat the deueat and they weFe
used M hlm for that pssrg,Se>
The approximately $sapAa renaasn-
lng delivered to Fred W uphAm ci
CnieasN tei the same purpaSe, ard
,conttnuest cn rass :. CSluAn ~