Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-29
DYESTUFF MAGNATE
CLAIMS He GAVE
KINGS CLERK $1,000
Campaign of Utah Senator
Aided by That Sum in
1922, Witness Says.
REPORTED CONTRIBUTIONS
DENIED BY LEGISLATOR
Donation Offered in 1928 Not
Accepted, Herman A. Metz
Tells Lobby Group.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Testimony that he gave a campaign
contribution of 81 900 for Senator King,
Democrat, Of Utah, in 1922 to Samuel
Russell, Kings secretary, was given be-
fore the Senate Lobby committee today
by Herman A. Metz, president of the
General Dyestuffs Corporation of New
York.
Metz was recalled today to relate
details of two campaign contributions
of $1,000 each, reported to have been
made to King, and agreed with state
mentS by the Utah Senator that the
donation made during the presidential
campaign in 1928 was not used He
said. however, he gave 81 900 in 1922,
after Russell had visited him and had
said that things looked pretty bad"
for his employer.
Senator Denies Report.
Russell, who quit Kings employ in
1928 after a quarrel, had testified at a
previous hearing that Metz had made
two contributions of 1000 each, but the
Utah Senator denied he had accepted
either. King asserted the check given
him in 1928 was not used and that he
knew nothing about the 1922 donation.
Relating details of the 1922 contri-
button, Metz, a former Democratic men,
Der of the House from New York, said
Russell came to his Office in New York
to see Edward r. Pickrell, one of Metz's
employees, about another matter and in
conversation the question Of Kings CAM
paign was discussed.
Metz said he asked how Kings cam
paign was progressing and Russell re-
piled that things looked pretty bad"
The witness added that he told Russell
he would like to help in the campaign
If he could, and Russell replied there
was no reason why you can't"
Cash Is Requested.
IT told Pickrell to fix it up" he added,
and explained that Russell asked for
cash instead of a check.
The 1928 contribution, he said, was
mailed to King In October, and nine
months later the Senator informed him
the money had not been used because
it was not needed.
Metz said in 1928 he was returning
from trip to Alaska and stopped over
in Ogden, Utah, to see King. He quoted
the Senator as saying his campaign
and that OF former Gov. Smith ap-
peared uncertain.
II don't think I can be elected. we
have hard fight out here" the Sem
ator was quoted as saying.
Metz said King told him later that
the check had been destroyed. He
added 1t had never been returned to
his bank.
Says He Aided Harding.
During the testimony Metz mem
toned that he had once contributed to
the campaign fund OF former President
Harding.
Before going into the campaign con-
tributions, Metz denied that his oppose
ton to American valuation in the pend
ing tartH bill was prompted by Ger
man dye interests. He said the Ger
man interests did not care which yaIu-
alton was adopted.
The committee recessed after Metz's
explanation OF his campaign contribu-
tons without indicating whether It
matter.
Metz said he was opposed to American
valuation because he thought it was not
for the best interests Of the United
States.
Once Member Of Congress.
He testified he was a Democratic
member Of Congress from New York
from 1918 to 1915 and was defeated for
reelection by Ogden L. Mills, now I'm
dersecretary Of the Treasury.
II hope to come back" he said. ''I
enjoyed it." Questioned by Senator
Robinson, Republican, of Indiana, Metz
said he was the principal stockholder
of the General DyeStuffs Corporation
and imported large amount Of dyes
from the German ]. @. Corporation.
He added that he was vice rresident
and treasurer of the American /. G..
Corporation and had about $4,000 in
vested in the concern.
Senator Robinson asked If the Ger
man I. q. Corporation had organized
the American corporation ito squeeze
out independent dye companies In this
country"
Nonsense" answered Metz, adding
that American company was formed to
take over what the Germans had In
this country and to keep it here"