Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1912 — HARRIMAN’S GIFT WAS TO AID ODELL [ARTICLE]

HARRIMAN’S GIFT WAS TO AID ODELL

Sheldon Tells Senators New Version of 1904 Campaign. NO CASH FOR ROOSEVELT Former Republican Treasurer \Declares Colonel Knew Nothing of Rail Magnate’s Contribution Until After Election. Washington, July 26. —George R. Sheldon, treasurer of the Republican national convention in 1908, told the senate committee investigating campaign funds his version of Edward H. Harriman’s contribution to President Roosevelt’s campaign in 1904. Mr. Sheldon said he knew unofficially that J. P. Morgan & Co. and Henry C. Frick were contributors in 1904. Cornelius M. Bliss was treasurer then, but Mr. Sheldon was associated with him in an unofficial capacity. He could not remember the amounts which the Morgan firm or Mr. Frick gave in 1904, but classed them among the large contributor? to that campaign—in the “over 55,000” class. The books which Mr. Sheldon, as treasurer, kept in 1908 were produced for inspection of the committee. Money Asked by Odell. Senator Paynter introduced the subject of Mr. Harriman’s contribution. He said he had heard it discussed and asked Mr. Sheldon to tell what he knew about it. ’’About two weeks before the election,” began Mr. Sheldon, “Governor Odell, who was state chairman, came to Mr. Bliss, the treasurer of the Republican national committee, and stated that whereas it was perfectly clear that Mr. Roosevelt "would be elected, the state ticket was in doubt. “He asked for some money. Mr. Bliss said he had no money, but he would see what he could do. He went to Mr. Harriman and Mr. Harriman with Mr. Bliss got together some 5250,000, and that money was handed to the state committee and never went into the national committee.” “Wasn’t the contribution a subject of correspondence between Mr. Harriman and Mr. Roosevelt?” asked SenatorPayn ter. ... “No. sir. Mr. Roosevelt never knew anything about it until long after the election.” In Dark as to Missing Letter. “What was there about a letter which disappeared from Mr. Harriman’s files?” “I know nothing about the letter.” “You said that Mr. Roosevelt knew nothing of It until after the election. By that you mean that you have no knowledge of his knowing?” “I had no knowledge.” “Do you know of any contribution in 1904 by anyone connected with the United States Steel corporation?” inquired Mr. Clapp. “It is difficult to answer that; not to my personal knowledge,” replied Mr. Sheldon. He gave similar answers to questions about the tobacco trust, the harvester trust, the sugar trust, Standard Oil, he American Protective Tariff league and various manufacturers as well. Mr. Sheldon referred to his books and said the contributions to the national committee in 1908 amounted to 51,655,518.27. The senate committee has been trying to get former Governor Odell of New York to testify about the Harriman contribution. He may appear later. The committee has not taken up the question of asking Colonel Roosevelt to testify.