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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1912)
JUNE. 21, 1912 The Commoner. 15 Facts to be Kept in Mind Editorial in tlio Chicago Tribune of July 20, 1911: The contradictions and conflicts in testimony in the Lorimer inquiry before the senate subcommittee can not be explained on the hypothesis that the witnesses are tricked by their memory. Pur poseful misrepresentation is being made before the committee, which can only hope that efforts to get at the facts will reveal who are the bearers of false testimony. Enough evidence has been pro duced in regard to one important phase of the investigation that in volved -in the story of Mr. Clarence S. Funic, general manager of the In ternational Harvester company to warrant an examination of the testi money for probability, plausibility and possible motives Mr. Funk told the committee that shortly after Mr. Lorimer's election to the senate he could not say whether it was five days or ten days, but shortly afterward Mr. Edward Hines, approaching him in the Union League club, told him that it had cost $100,000 to elect Lorimer, that it had to be done hurriedly, and that now "they were looking for a few big people" to put up $10,000 each and make up tho fund. Mr. Cyrus H. McCormick, presi dent of the International Harves ter company, testified before the committee that shortly after this meeting Mr. Funk came to him and reported what Mr. Hines had said. ' Mr. Edgar A. Bancroft, general counsel of tho harvester company, testified that Mr. Funk had told him of the request made by Mr. Hines. All this was in May, 1009, over two years ago. A year later the first investigation of Mr. Lorimer's election was ordered. Except for telling Mr. H. II. Kohlsaat, editor of the Chicago Record-Herald, the Hines story in confidence, Mr. Funk kept mum. The investigation pro ceeded, and this evidence was not offered tho investigators. They Special Club Offers' The Public $1.00 Tri-Weekly New York World 1.00 The Commoner 1.00 Total Regular Price $3.00 Our Trice for all Three $1.00 National Monthly Magazine $1.00 Tri-Weekly New York World 1.00 The Commoner 1.00 Total Regular Price $3.00 Our Price for nil Three : . . . .9175 Tri-Weekly New York World $1.00 Current Llteraturo 3.00 The Commoner 1.00 Total Regular Price $5.00 Our Price for all Three $3.00 La Folletto's Weekly Magazine, Na tional Monthly, Fruit Grower, Uncle Remus's Homo Magaizne, Modern Pris cllla, or The Public may be substituted In the above combination In place of Tri-Weekly New York World. National Monthly $1.00 Independent 3.00 Tho Commoner 1.00 Total Regular Price $5.00 Our Price for all Three ., . . . .$3.00 Tri-Weekly New York World, La Folletto's Weekly Magazine, National Monthly, Uncle Remus's Home Maga zine Fruit Grower, Modern Priscllla, or Tho Public may bo substituted in the abovo combination In placo of the National monthly. Tho Public $1.00 Reviews of Reviews 3.00 Tho Commoner 1.00 Total Regular Price $5.00 Our Price for nil Three $3.00 Tri-Weekly New York World, La Folletto's Weekly Magazine, National Monthly, Uncle Remus's Home Maga zine, Fruit Grower, Modern Priscllla, or Johnstown Democrat may bo substi tuted In the above combination In tho placo of Tho Public. Address Orders to THE COMMONER, Lincoln, Neb. came to their conclusions, made their report, and the long, bitter fight was started in the senate, the contest which resulted in sustaining tho validity of Mr. Lorimer's election by a vote of 46 to 40. Not a word from Funk, McCormick or Bancroft. Mr. Kohlsaat mado some uso of his information, cloaking it in con fidence. Senator La Follette, thus hearing it, pleaded with his infor mant to produce the witnesses. That Mr. Kohlsaat could not do. The senate gave its verdict. The case was thought to be closed. That was the end of it. The men possessing this information allowed the case to bo closed, and no reference was made to what they know of it. At this point the roader, be wildered by the contradictions at Washington, will ask himself where entered the plot to destroy Mr. Lori mer the only conceivable theory on which the Funk story can be con strued as deliberately false. For nearly two years these secrets were preserved. They were divulged on compulsion. If Mr. Funk had been acting as Mr. Lorimer's friend he hardly could have been more reti cent. He was much more reticent than Mr. Hines. ' To recapitulate: Mr. Funk's story was told two years ago to the men it concerned; it was told a year ago to Mr. Kohlsaat; no use was made of it when Mr. Lorimer's seat was in jeopardy. Now for Mr. Hines' version: On March 28, 1911, Mr. Hines was be fore tho Helm committee. Mr. Kohlsaat did not testify until tho following day. Mr. Funk did not testify until April 5. Mr. Hines was. asked if he ever had discussed with anyone the ques tion of raising money to defray the cost of Mr. Lorimer's election, or to aid it, or if he hac1 heard of money being raised or used before or after the election, or of any money which was to be raised after the election to defray the expenses of it. To this Mr. Hines replied: "Absolutely no." Mr. Kohlsaat had not testified. Mr. Funk had not testified. Mr. Hines knew nothing. Yet, after Mr. Kohlsar.t testified, and after Mr. Funk testified, Mr. Hines discovered that he knew a great deal. He knew that Mr. Funk, meeting him as Mr. Funk had said, in the Union league club, had men tioned the matter of expenses con nected with the Lorimer election, had suggested that the cost should not be borne by Mr. Lorimer un aided and spoke of his willingness to contribute. This after Mr. Funk had testified. Mr. Funk, said Mr Hines, was bit terly opposed to Mr. Lorimer. That might suggest a motive for his testi mony. It also might suggest a mo tive for his willingness to contribute to the campaign fund. Mr. Hines did not take tho pains to reconcile his testimony with his theories. Then, also, comes testiim -iy cor roborative of Mr. Hines. Fred Carney, a lumberman of Marinette, Wis.; Charles L. Hall, a lumber buyer for Hines, and Isaac Baker, another lumber buyer for Hines all lumber. They, it is suddenly re called, were in the Union league club with Hines the day after the Lorimer election. Funk came up to Hines, shook hands with him, ex pressed his pleasure that Mr. Lori mer had been elected, asked to be introduced to the new senator, and drew Hines aside for a private con versation. When Hines had re turned to the group he said that the man was Funk. All four were sitting on a couch. Mr. Carney did not hear any of the conversation between Mr. Hines and Mr. Funk, although Mr. Carney sat next to Mr. Hines. IIo says Mr. Hines walked several feet forward to meet Mr. Funk. Mr. Hall heard the conversation until Mr. Funk drew Mr. Hines further away. Mr. Baker heard it. Mr. Hall and Mr. Baker are employes of Hines. These witnesses forgot all about tho Incident until their memories wore refreshed by subsequent events and by Mr. Hines. Then thoy ro membercd such details as the exact spot on Mr. Hines' left arm which Mr. Funk grasped as ho drew him aside. Mr. Baker could not recall for. a long time who was with him and Mr. Hines, but he remembered tho spot and he remembered the words which Mr. Carney, sitting next to Hines, could not hear. Mr. Lorimer's election was unchal lenged when Mr. Funk told his story to Mr. McCormick and Mr. Bancroft. Thero had been no mention of bribery in connection with it at that time. No uso was made of that story when Mr. Lorimer's scat was in dan ger. It was told undor compulsion after tho case unexpectedly had been reopened. Mr. nines' story was told for tho first time after Mr. Lorimer and Mr. Hines had been put In Jeopardy the second tlmo. Tho details of tho cor roborative evidence produced to sus tain Mr. Hines' story of that part of the conversation which Is said to have been overheard wero recalled to the memory of witnesses who ad mittedly had forgotton nearly every thing nbout it. Somewhere In theso conflicting stories there Is the truth, and they may bo examined for probability, plausibility and motive. An Ideal Gift Book Thero Is no gift more appreciated by tho recelvor, nor ono that better reflects tho tastes of tho giver, than good books. The influenco of good literature can not bo measured it lives and grows, long after ma terial things are for gotten. An ideal gift, for your friends, your relatives, or in your own home, would bo a set of Mr. Bryan's Speeches and Lectures In two handy volumes. A new, complete edition, containing all of his most Important public utterances, from his first entry Into public i. upm.t0 tho Present time. Tho only authori tative collection of his speeches ever issued You can follow Mr. Br,yan through Practi cally his entire career, from his valedictory oration at Illinois Col ics? 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SPECIAL OFFER TO COMMONER READERS .. want every reader of Tho Commoner to have a set of theso f?JlB' Fo,r this purpose, we are making this liberal limited offer: upon receint nr 9. vr. ii.iii cmni rnnn..i.i . o ) . mi... 1 nnw?ien !,li?Jn JcnH,nw Bryan, bound in cloth, and enter your ..iX iii " ,u...Jm, commoner ror one run year, or your present subscription will bo credited for ono year more. If you want tho nan leather edition and The Commoner ono year, enclose $3.25. JBooks and paper sent to different addresses If desired. All orders filled promptly. Address. TOE COMMONER, Lincoln, Neb. Fill Out and Mail This Coupon for Special Offer THE COMMONER, Lincoln, Nefc. Enclosed find $2.25 for one 2 vol. set of The Spot-diet of William JCHBlngM Bryan, bound in cloth, and. The Commoner for one year. Namo P. O. (If half leather edition Is wanted, send $3.25.) li m - M iih ' )ju - ' w -f. . rnmmfm m JL J mrm BPSSJSSf'JSfSHBMKJSHESI!"-"