told you that I have arrived at a conclusion in this manner. There is one thing that I want to do, and it is quite important to the committee and the public generally, that I get-that my colleagues and I get together prior to the election. And I had intended to leave, and had made my arrangements to leave to-night, before I knew of this proposition, and I had made reservations whereby I might reach Chicago Saturday evening. That is one important factor to be considered in connection with this inquiry. Secondly, the question of the yellow ticket involving bribe charges, which is an indictable offense under the corrupt practices act of the State of Oregon or under the Federal statutes, it would be handled by the district attorney of the Department of Justice, Mr. Neuner. I know. as a citizen of Oregon, that this subject matter has been considered by two legally constituted grand juries, one in Salem, and one in Portland, and that indictments have been returned, and men are now under indictment, I believe--you may know more about that. But to pursue that question would require a length of time beyond the possibilities of the committee at this time, and function otherwise. I knew you would not want to press a matter that could not be concluded prior to the election this next Tuesday. I have in my possession a telegram from Senator Cameron, of Arizona, dated to-day. He wants an investigation on charges that a slush fund raised by California parties interested in the construction of power plants and large irrigation enterprises in the Colorado River had contributed to the campaign a large fund; he says, “Over $300,000.” That is before me now. I don't know but what I will have to get in communication with Senator Reed to-night, and see what we will have to do about that. If this was a new matter, and had not been investigated a sufficient time, and was before the committee. I would think it was quite proper to undertake it, without undertaking to follow the rules of law, even though laches, as you so well know what the term means, would apply. But we won't apply that. We will follow the rule of conscience. This matter regarding the yellow ticket has been before you, and before the public in Oregon, a great many weeks. And now to undertake to present that matter, with just one committeeman here, on a subject matter that has been gone over by two legally constituted bodies, when it is necessary for a complete determination of this one particular thing, after giving the matter thought and desiring to do the best for the committee and for the whole of the constituency, I could not go into the yellow ticket proposition. But I can assure you, Mr. U'Ren, if anyone connected with this yellow ticket proposition should appear and ask a seat in the United States Senate, and that question is raised, that the Senate of the United States will go into it thoroughly. And as a member of Oregon, I shall take part in insisting that it be given a most thorough and exhaustive examination. And I think, in view of the charges, the explanations that have been made with respect to them, it shortens the time before election, the imperative necessity of the committee coming to some understanding of what work it has been trying to do, that we all, cooperating together, ought to feel satisfied in developing this proposition as well as we can in the time left. And that will be the holding of the committee, Mr. U'Ren. Mr. U'REN. Then I understand from the holding of the committee that all of this yellow ticket matter may be taken up after the election? Senator McNARY. Yes. Mr. U'REN. And gone fully into? Senator MCNARY. Yes, if the occasion should require and it is thought pertinent. I express no opinion on that. I should personally, as I repeat, as one of the members in the United States Senate attempting to represent the State of Oregon, insist upon the most thoroughgoing and vigorous investigation of all matters pertaining to the yellow ticket; I can assure you of that. Now, did you desire further to question Mr. Steiwer? If not, you may be excused. Mr. THOMPSON. Just one question I wanted to ask Mr. Steiwer, referring to that U'Ren letter that has been read into the record, and the excerpt Senator MCÑARY. Just a second; what U'Ren letter? Mr. THOMPSON. I was referring to this U'Ren letter to the Oregonian, an excerpt from which the Senator just read a moment ago. Is there any truth in the statement that you received $46,500, or any other such sums from corporations, east or west, prior to April 13, 1926? A. No, there isn't, Mr. Thompson. Mr. THOMPSON. That is all. Mr. U'REN. Do you know of anything, Mr. Steiwer, on contributions to your campaign fund or expenses by the Anti-Saloon League? A. No, they made none. Q. East or West? A. None that I have known about at all. No, there were none. There was some discussion. They had no money here in Oregon, not a cent. I believe they suggested that we contribute some money to them, which we didn't do. Mr. U'REN. That is all. Senator MCNARY. That is all, Mr. Steiwer. (Witness excused.) Senator MCNARY. Now, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Logan, have you any further evidence? Mr. LOGAN. No evidence from us, except that Mr. Peck has Mr. Clark and Mr. Griffith coming here to-morrow morning. Senator MCNARY. No, but I am speaking about this afternoon. Mr. LOGAN. No, no. Senator McNARY. Mr. U'Ren and Mr. Watkins? Mr. WATKINS. No. Senator MCNARY. Very well, then, the committee will stand adjourned until 10 o'clock in the morning. (Whereupon, at 4.20 o'clock p. m., October 27, 1926, an adjournment was taken to 10 o'clock a. m. to-morrow, Thursday, October 28, 1926.) SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURES PORTLAND HEARINGS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1926 UNITED STATES SENATE, SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN SENATORIAL ELECTIONS, Portland, Oreg. The committee met, pursuant to adjournment, at 10 o'clock a. m., in Room 8-A in the Multnomah Hotel, Portland, Oreg., Senator Charles L. McNary presiding. Present, Senator McNary. Mr. THOMPSON. Is the committee ready to proceed? Senator MCNARY. Yes, we are waiting for Mr. Clark and Mr. Griffith. Here is Mr. Griffith now. The meeting will be in order. Adjournment was had yesterday until this morning for the purpose of hearing additional witnesses. One was Mr. Stone, referred to in the testimony yesterday as having had something to say in Spokane concerning the subject matter under consideration, and this morning I received the following wire: CHARLES L. MONARY, SPOKANE, WASH., 27. United States Senator, Multnomah Hotel, Portland, Oreg. James L. Stone out of city arriving in Spokane Thursday morning. Your wire will be called to his attention upon his arrival. M. W. THERNES, Secretary Spokane Gas and Fuel. Before this question is finally submitted to the Senate, or to some standing committee of the Senate having jurisdiction of matters of this kind, this committee will locate Mr. Stone and see what he knows about this transaction; but not to-day or to-morrow, as I am leaving to-day either for Arizona or the East. Mr. Griffith. Mr. PECK. Mr. Clark will go on the stand first. Senator MCNARY. Very well. Take this chair, Mr. Clark. TESTIMONY OF CLARENCE M. CLARK CLARENCE M. CLARK was thereupon produced as a witness, and, being first duly sworn, testified as follows: Q. (By Senator MCNARY.) What is your full name, Mr. Clark? A. Clarence M. Clark; Clarence Monroe Clark, if you want my middle name. Q. That is enough. What is your address? A. 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Q. Are you connected with any corporation that owns stock in the Portland Railway, Light & Power Co.? A. No, sir. Q. Have you any interest in the local company? A. I am a large stockholder, individually. Q. Do you know something about the hearing in this investigation now being made? A. Yes, sir. Q. Have you any knowledge of the transaction that is therein alleged to have transpired between your company or yourself, or any of your associates, through Mr. Griffith and Mr. Piper, the editor of the Oregonian, or any of the owners or managers or directors or officers of the Oregonian Publishing Co., a corporation? A. I have no knowledge whatever, except that received two days ago, at Chico, Calif., by telegrams in regard to the accusations which had been made. Q. What is the name of the parent organization, the organization that owns the local transportation line? A. There is no parent organization. Q. Well, tell me what it is. A. The Portland Co. is an independent corporation, with stockholders and bondholders, like any other corporation. There is no holding company, or no controlling company of any kind whatever. Q. Well, through what company or organization do you operate in Philadelphia? A. The Portland Electric Power Co. Q. That is the company's name in Philadelphia? A. The only eastern office is in my office, the office of E. W. Clark & Co., bankers, of Philadelphia; the treasurer is located there, and one or two vice presidents. I am the chairman of the executive committee, with the special duty of directing the policy and execu tive management of the company. The headquarters of the company are here in Portland, Oreg. The organization is complete, for all the active operations of the company. Our duties in Philadelphia are mostly related to the financial matters. Q. If any campaign contribution was made by your company, or your associates, are you in a position to know the facts concerning it? A. Yes, sir. Q. Is it the practice of the company to contribute to campaigns? A. No, sir. Q. Have you made any contribution in the campaign, in the pri mary or election campaign in Oregon? A. None whatever. Q. Have you ever received any requests from Mr. Franklin T. Griffith, local manager, for contributions in behalf of Mr. Steiwer, or any other individual in the States, running for United States Senator? A. No, sir. Q. Or in opposition to Senator Stanfield's candidacy? A. No, sir. Q. Have you made any contributions? A. None whatever. Q. Has any appeal of any kind been made to you by Mr. Griffith, or anyone associated with the local company? A. No, sir. |