Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-17
THE PUBLICITY BILL
Meeting of Public Men at New
Willard Today 3
ORGANIZATION EFFECTED
Perry Belmont of New York Made
President.
HE OUTLINES ITS OBJECTS
Ex-senator Chambers Resolution of
Approval of the Movement-Labor
Bodies Approve.
E OUTLINES ITS OBJECTS

An influential meeting of public men of
both parties and of representatives of or
ganized labor was held at the New Willard
today TO push the publicity bill, that has
already been introduced into Congress. The
friends of the bill formed a permanent
organization. of which Perry Belmont of
New York was appointed president, with
authority to appoint an executive commit
tee and chairmen of other committees en-
powered to act IN the name of the organiza-
ton on all suitable occasions.
In a short opening address Mr.. Belmont
outlined the objects of the meeting. He
said:
MI. Belmont's Speech.
1.-THE bill of which copies have been
placed in your hands has been introduced
in the House by Representative Mccall OF
Massachusetts and in the Senate by Senator
Patterson of Colorado. and is a measure of
selfregulation and self-protection, an evolu-
tionary development growing out of our own
political system. 1t is publicity bill, not
a cerrupt-practice bill. The English act of
1888 is creditable piece of legislation, but
1t is only during the actual period of par
liamentary elections its wholesome restric-
tions are effective upon candidates and their
agents Party funds are very large and are
expended lavishly by party organizations
AttSIF duntTSHIS, pollJlCai contributions
taking the form of what are known as
subscriptions" made before parliament
tary candidacy is actually announced
American politics are not more corrupt
than the politics of other countries. The
contrary is true. But we want them bet
ter still. The rapid strides In wealth. with
all their benefits. have naturally created
certain disadvantages. The great captains
OF industry have been induced, or COM
PEELED, or they have permitted themselves
on one preteXt or another to endeavor to
control political agencies and organizations
py. the use OF money. The time has now
come to check this growing tendency Many
VINO are active In political organizations
unite In this conviction. Members of the
national committees of the two dominant
parties are enrolled in our organization
Their practical experience leads them TO
favor the form of publicity required by the
proposed law. Organized labor ts ener-
getfcaliy demanding it, The presence of
Mr.. Gompers and other labor representa-
tives Is sufficient evidence of this fact.
National committees established by ma
uonal conventions, not recognized by the
constitution, have grown from small and
temporary agencies to permanent and DOW
er1ul instrumentalities, receiving and spend
ing vast sums in complete secrecy The
proposed law would not interfere directly
or indirectly with the election laws of any
state Limited in it's effect to the REQUIRE
ment of the publica ton of cemnaion con
tributiOns and expenditures by the patfona1
ana congressional committees, 1t does not
invade the rights and functions of any state
poAtlIetl committee. Inc law would
campaign money public money.
With this brief reference to The hill NAV
De permitted to call your attention to the
representative character of this assemblage,
addlng new impetus to an already strong
national movement The influential repre-
sentation from Delaware is especially en-
courag1ng in view of conditions within ito
borders as Is the cooperation of Repre-
sentative Granger of Rhode Island and the
important labor enrolment from that state
Rhode island, whose sons have so often and
SO brlllantly served their flag and country
Will follow the example of Massachus etts
and of Connecticut in an effective publicity
law to rid herself of the dead weight of
mere money domination.
we have met to exchange views and
70 consult as to what further steps should
be taken to promote the legislation we have
In view. With it's general scope Won are
all familiar, and now refer this important
subject to you to be dealt with as best ac-
cords with your judgment"
Ex-senator Chandeliers Resolution.
The meeting on the motion of ex-senator
Chandler passed a resolution approving the
course of Mr.. Belmont In originating the
PHI. The resolution said that the Ma
Honal Publicity Bill Organization at it's
nrst meeting in Washington approves
the action hitherto taken by Perry
Belmont in originating this ORGANIZE
ton, in arousing public attention IN
the object to be promoted, and In preparing
a bill for submission to Congress; and thar
the organization be now formally completed,
for the purpose of eliminating by all appro-
pirate methods the evils which result from,
the expenditure of large sums of money in
political elections, the object of the com
mlttee being TO secure the passage of an act
or congress providing for publicity i'm the
receipts and expenditures of the national
committees OF all political parties, and to
promote the formation of local organize
tons for eliminating such evils In the Va
rious states and territories
Among the public men presenf az tho
meeting were Hannis Taylor of New York
Gov.-elect Swanson of Virginia. Alexander
tIoup OF New York. Julius Mayer, ex-Sen-
ator w. +. Chandler. Charles A HamIin of
Massachusetts,. Van l.. PoCk of Tennnssee
John I. Dunlop OF New York Opie Read ~
lliinois, Charles A. Gardner of New YORK
oIornWel gibbons and Norman Mack,
member OF the democratic national commit
Tee or New York; Gen. j. H Wilson of
Delaware; Samuel Gompers president of
the American Federation of Labor: Repre-
sentative Charles rowne. President Schur-
man or cornell, Representative Mccall of
Massachusetts,. Frank X. Foster and James
Wilson.
Labor Organizations Approve.
1t was announced by Mr.. Mack that a
great many labor organizations all over
the country had expressed an interest in
the bill and the organization and had s!gui-
fled their intention of Joining the move
ment.
The following central labor bodies in the
state OF New York have by resolution in
9ofsed the publicity bill: Central Federated
Union of Manhattan, Central Labor ITnion
OF New York. New York Typogra phtcai
Union (No. %, Pattern Makers Assnnia lion
OF New York city and vicinity, Trades AS
ssnoly OF Poughkeepsle, Trades Assembly
OF Fort Edward, Central Labor TTntor 20
I1conderoga. Central Federation OF Labor
OF Troy, Trades Assembly of Utica Con
tral Trades and Labor Council of Rocbes
Isah lTaAn n
trail Labor Union OF Geneva Trades AS
sembly of Ballston Spa. Central Labor
Council OF jamestown, Central Labor IJnIon
OF Binghamton, Central Labor Union of
Mlddletown, Hold Carriers and Building la
borers Union OF Utica.