Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1906 — PROMISED IMMUNITY [ARTICLE]

PROMISED IMMUNITY

Charles G. Dawes So Declares as to the Chicago “Big Four” Packing Firms. PROMISE IS MADE BY GARFIELD According to Three Witnesses Who Have So Far Testified. * • Letters in Court That Are Expected to Corroborate the Testimony, One Written by the Commissioner. Chicago, Jan. 31.. Letters written by Commissioner of Corporations Garfield to Charles G. Dawes, comptroller of currency under President McKinley and now president of the Central Trust company, created a sensation when introduced at the hearing of the packers’ immunity pleas in Judge Humphrey’s court The letters have not yet been read to the jury, but it is believed the court will admit them in evidence. They relate, it is believed to charges of bad faith made against Garfield by Dawes. Dawes upon the witness stand had declared Garfield had given a pledge to the packers that be would regard as “sacred” and "confidential” all information given him. Garfield Did Not Reply. As he was leaving the witness chair he turned to Garfield, who sat between District Attorney Morrison and Assistant Attorney General I’agin, and said significantly: "Have you any objection, Mr.’ Garfield, to my introducing the personal letters which passed between us on the subject?” Garfield did not reply. Dawes called a boy and dispatched him to his office with instructions to bring the book containing the letter press copies of his personal correspondence. The book was brought into court a little later, and the two letters to which Dawes referred were given into the hands or the attorneys. The first letter was written to Garfield by Dawes and the second was Garfield’s reply.

DAWES IS CORROBORMED Data Was to Remain Inviolate in the Department Archives. Samuel Mcßoberts, treasurer of Armour & Co., corroborated Dawes’ account of the interview between Garfield and Louis C. Krauthoff, counsel for the Armour interests in the Chicago club, and gave evidence which reflected in strong terms on Garfield's treatment of the packers. “Mr. Garfield told Mr. Krauthoff In my hearing,” said Mcßoberts, “that his report would consist only of general findings He said this data would remain inviolate in the archives of bis department. He said the details of the Information would not even go to President Roosevelt. He said he had the full authority of the president and of Secretary Cortelyou to make these assurances of protection.’’ Krauthoff had previously testified that Garfield had promised the packers “security, protection and safety” if they furnished the information sought by his department; that Garfield declared he spoke by the authority and consent of the president and of the secretary of commerce and itfbor and that the packers ought to know “that the chief executive of a great nation would not for a moment tolerate 01 permit any advantage to be taken 01 any use to be made of that information.”