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Show ECHO OF THE CAMPAIGN In Which Roosevelt Is Supposed tq Have Had Harriman Money Washington, July 25. George R. Sheldon, treasurer of the Republican national committee in 1908, today told the senate committee, investigating campaign fundB, his version of the late Edward II. Hairlman's contribution contribu-tion to the Roosevelt campaign in 1904. Mr. Sholdon said he knew unofficially un-officially that J. P. Morgan and company com-pany and Honrv C. Frlck were contributors con-tributors In 1904. The late Cornelius N. 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 contributors The books which Mr. Sheldon ns treasurer kept in 1908 were produced for Inspection of the committee. Senator Paynter introduced the subject of Mr" Hairlman's contribution. contribu-tion. Ho said he had heard It discussed dis-cussed and aBlced Mr. Sheldon to tell what he knew about it. "That has all been printed my letter let-ter to Mr. Roosevelt," responded Mr. Sheldon "I did not recall that you had written writ-ten anything. Tell us anywa " 'About two weeks before the election," elec-tion," began Mr. Sheldon. "Governor Odell, who was state chairman, came to Mr. Bliss, then state chairman of the national Republican committee, and said, while It was perfectly clear that Mr Roosevelt would be elected, the stato ticket was in doubt He asked for some monoy. Mr. Bliss said he had no money, but he would see what he could do. He went to Mr. Harriman and Mr Harriman together togeth-er with Mr. Bliss got some $25,000 and the money was handed to the Ktatc committee and never went Int& the national committee." "Did Mr. Harriman see any oDe. else before ho contributed? My memory of events is a little hazy," said Senator Paynter "I assume he did not," said Mr. Sheldon "Wasn't it a subject of correspondence correspond-ence between Mr. Harriman and Mr, Roosevelt? ' "No sir, Mr. Roosevelt never knew anything about it until long after the election " "Wliat wa3 there about a letter which disappeared from Mr, Harrl-raan's Harrl-raan's file?" "I know nothing about tho letter." "Wasn't the public first apprised of this contribution through a letter Mr. Roosevelt had written to Mr Harriman?" "I cannot tell you," replied Mr. Shel" don. "You said that Mr Roosevelt knew nothing of it until after the election Bv thnt you mean that you have no knowledge of his knowing." "I had no knowledge " Mr Sheldon referred to his books and said tho contributions to the national na-tional committee in 190S 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 ap-pear later The committeo'bas not taken uu the question of asking Mr Roosexclt to testify. Some of the committee wore surprised sur-prised that Chairman Clnpp questioned question-ed Mr. Sheldon about the 1904 campaign cam-paign instead of the 1908 fight. "Do you know of any contribution in 1904 by anyone connectel with tho United States Steel corporation?" Inquired In-quired Mr. Clann. "It is difficult to answer that; not to rav personal knowledge," replied Mr Sheldon He gave similar answers an-swers to questions about the "sugar trust." "steel trust." "harvester trust," American Tariff Protection league and other associations. Mr. Sholdon was excused today with the understanding that ho might be recalled after the committee had examined thQ books. Chairman Clapp said no definite announcement could be made as to who would be the next witness. |
