Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1912 — PENROSE DEMANDS CAMPAIGN PROBE [ARTICLE]

PENROSE DEMANDS CAMPAIGN PROBE

Asks Investigation of Charges Made Against Him. SAYS TRUSTS GAVE CASH ■ Declares George W. Perkins Underwrote Fund of $3,000,000 to Control Chicago Convention for Colonel Roosevelt. Washington, Aug. 23.—A sweeping investigation into the Roosevelt campaigns of 1904 and 1912 by a subcommittee of the United States senate is embodied in a resolution introduced by Senator Boies Penrose of Pennsylvania in the senate chamber. Mr. Penrose asks for a complete investigation of the charges against him and the charges he himself made with' respect to <he alleged contributions of the Standard Oil company to the-na-tional campaign fund of 1904. To Summon Roosevelt. The resolution as amended by Senator Reed of Missouri, provides for the summoning of Theodore Roosevelt, "Boss” Flinn, George B. Cortelyou and John D. Archbold of the Standard Oil company. Declaring that George W. Perkins and his associates had underwritten some three million dollars to nominate Theodore Roosevelt for the presidency of the regular Republican party in the present campaign for their own personal uses, Senator Penrose injected a new element into the political imbroglio during the debate in the senate. Mr. Penrose further stated that the largest campaign fund in the history of the United States for a nomination was raised for Mr. Roosevelt last winter.

Says Railroads Contributed? The new charges created quite a stir in the chamber and came during a debate between the Pennsylvanian and Senator Reed of Missouri! Evidence regarding these matters will be submitted to the proper senate committee for consideration. Alleged contributions of SIOO,OOO each by the Missouri Pacific and the Southern Pacific railroads to the Roosevelt campaign fund in 1904 were also mentioned by Senators Reed and Penrose, Mr. Penrose declaring that President Roosevelt was always in close touch with the national committee managers of his campaign. Senators Penrose. Reed and Williams each attacked Colonel Roosevelt, and Senator Poindexter of Washington, a supporter of the new Progressive party, came to his defense. Senator Poindexter charged that a combination of ‘‘regular Republicans” and Democrats were at work to defame Colonel Roosevelt. The decision to summon Mr. Archbold at once was made by Senator Clapp. He got into communication with Mr. Archbold in New York by long distance telephone, and the Standard Oil official agreed to appear. Senator Pomerene of Ohio was designated to sit as the Democratic member of the special committee until the return of either Senator Lee or Senator Paynter. Says T. R. Knew of Contribution. The debate between Senators Reed and Penrose was marked by the readiness with which the latter replied to Senator Reed’s questions. Senator Penrose declared that ‘‘according to his Information” Colonel Roosevelt knew that SIOO,OOO of Standard Oil money had been received in 1904 before he wrote a letter directing that any Standard Oil contributions be returned. When the colloquy between Senators Penrose and Reed was concluded Senator Reed made an extended speech, attacking Roosevelt, reopening the question of the $250,000 collected for the Republican campaign fund In 1904 by E. H. Harriman and placing In the record all of the so-called "Archbold” correspondence recently published. Senator Reed also attacked George W. Perkins, at present one of the leaders of the new Progressive party. When he concluded, Senator Poindexter took the floor and characterized the proceedings as a “combination, an understanding, an alliance,” between the machine Republicans and the machine Democrats against progressive principles. He objected to the immediate , .consideration of the resolution presented by Senator Penrose, and a sweeping amendment presented by Senator Reed, and both went over.