Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1911 — RECORD-HERALD EDITOR SAYS MONEY WAS USED. [ARTICLE]

RECORD-HERALD EDITOR SAYS MONEY WAS USED.

Merman H. Kohlsaat Says Fund of SIOO,OOO Was Used to Secure tbo Election of Lorlmer. T , - —7‘T-, ■ m-iu-mrfn- i --r — ‘ Herman H. Kohlsaat, proprietor of the Chicago Record-Herald, who was called to testify before the Illinois state senate, has stated that he has knowledge that was raised to secure the election of William Lorimer, of Chicago, to the United States senate. Kohlsaat, however, refused to divulge the source of his information, claiming that it wbuld be a breach of confidence. His action blocked the proceedings. He will be called again on April 6th and if he still refuses to give the information he may be adjudged guilty of contempt and sentenced to jail. Should the senate committee not care to take this - action it will provide an * easy way of getting around embarrassing questions that are to be asked of other witnesses, who could say that they could not answer Without being guilty of a “breach of confidence.” The following is the dialogue that took place in an effort to get Kohlsaat to disgorge information: “Did your informant say he was asked for $10,000?” asked Attorney Healy for the committee. “I decline to answer,” he said. “Did he say that nine other men had been agked for SIO,OOO each?” "I refuse to answer.” “Would you denounce any citizen who takes the stand you have here?” asked Senator Burton. “Any man who will violate a confidence is not worth a snap. I would not let my court reporter violate a confidence. No newspaper man can violate a confidence. That is my code of morals,” replied the publisher. “You have been demanding this investigation, and now you refuse to aid us, 1 ’ said a committee member. “i appreciate the position,, but I will not violate this confidence,” concluded Mr. Kohlsaat. The comtaittee then went into an executive conference. Every one except Mr. Kohlsaat, Attorney Healy members of the committee were ordered out of the room. The questions were again put to Mr, Kohlsaat in this secret session. Again he refused absolutely to answer, The doors were then reopened and Mr, Kohlsaat was given a third opportunity to answer the questions of the committee. This he again refused to do.