Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-07
HEARST MUST ANSWER
Proceedings Begun to Compel
Him to File Campaign Expenses
UNDER PUBLICITY STATUTE
Corrupt Practices Association Takes
the First Step for Accounting.
EVASION CHARGES ARE MADE
Fine Of $1,000 or a Years Imprison-
ment or Both Possible in Case Ac-
cusations Are Upheld.
EVASION CHARGES ARE MADE

L.
~ compel w. r. Hearst to make a true ac-
counting of his expenditures in the re-
cent state campaign were begun before
Judge Giegerich of the supreme court YES
terday by the New York Association to
prevent Corrupt Practices at Elections.
rms is the first legal action to be taken
under the new publicity law, which was
intended to prevent the corruption of
voters by compelling a complete statement
OF all campaign receipts and expenditures
ne new law was passed largely at the
instance or the association, of which Seth
Low is the head, William Church Osborn
treasurer and Allan Robinson secratary
"hlie the publicity bill was pending he.
fore the legislature Mr.. Low pledeed tho
ASSOCIATION to watch it's operation and act
provisions &c IT'S
uAlthough handicapped by the brief time
alloWed for the examination of the state
nents hled under the law with the secre-
.dry OF state, the association has made as
thorough an examination Of them as nos.
Sipie and has selected the statement filed
py ~ Hearst a as the one which appears to be
most nasfantiy violative of the law
hearst made oath to the secretary of
state that he had expended $256,37022 in
lhe campaign He certified that he had
given SlsS,s7022 to the Independence
League through j. G. Follansbee treas-
urer OF the league. and that he had given
the democratic state committee $4,000
through w. ]. Corners. it's chairman. In
aooitlon: ne made oath that he had ex-
pended $500 in travelling expenses and in
cidentalS. "
The Law in the Case.
Statements of theexpenses of candidates
Ior once are thus provided for by the
penal code:
Every candidate who is voted for at
a1n
SNAIL within ten days after such election
file, as hereinafter provided on ;to,,,S n,
statement showing in detail ali ~
moneys contributed or expended hu hi.a'
directly or indirectly, BY himself n nr
eIeetien any syyct other person, in aid of his
nalnes OF the various persons who received
s sucn moneys, the specific nature of each
a e,ell ana the purpose for which it was
expended or contributed Any cand;date
Tor office who refuses or negiects 70 &c
such statement as prescribed in this
section shall be guilty of a misdemean nds
ana snail also forfeit his Office
Hearst is bound by this provision Of tho
penai code and also by the section of the
new law, which requires the public az.
counting ting of all expenditures. Following
MI Osborn. William Williams. Robert
Grler Monroe, Charles H Young and
alan robinson yesterday filed a petition
s ~n.h J t Giegerich in chambers, setting
We're convinced that the statement filed by
Hearst did not comply with the require.
ments OF the law In that it failed to give
true and complete summary of his ex.
penditureS. Va
The law provides that the court, if it
hnds the petition in proper form, shall or
ger ger pro, PROCEEDINGS for contempt against
the defendant, and must forthwith hold q
summary inquest to inquire into the
statements made in the petition and such
other facts as the court may deem neces-
This inquest takes precedence over all
other business in the courts and sweeping
powers are given. No person can avoid
testifying on the ground that his testf-
mony VIII 1ncriminate or degrade him. and
the production of records, receipts vouch-
ers, books and papers may be compelled
III the facts contained in the petition are
sustained the defendant is required to nav
the costs of the action, and may be sem
fenced to years Imprisonment or to a
fine Of $1,000, or both.
Hearst is Absent
AS Hearst's statement was filed under
the penal code provision, which has been
in the statute books for years, the ques-
ton was raised as to whether he would be
subject to an accounting under the new
law. 1t was held that the language Of the
act was broad enough to cover his case,
and accordingly the proceeding against
him was begun.
Hearst was not in the city last night,
nor was he in Washington attending the
session of Congress, of which he is a
member.
Proceedings similar to that begun against
Hearst have also been undertaken against
the republican county committee of Gin
ton county, the Independence League of
Putnam county and Francis H. Gates, who
was selected as an independent in the
thirty seventh senate district.
Mr.. Robinson, secretary of the Associa-
ton to Prevent Corrupt Practices at Elec-
tons, when questioned last night about
the proceedings, said:
There are some matters in Mr.. Hearst's
report which will require explanation.
There are also some instances of expendi-
lures alleged to have been made by him
which were not reported in his statement.
We have a certified copy Of the report of
the Albany democratic county committee
setting forth that $1,000 was received from
Hearst. Ne report of this payment was
made by Mr.. Hearst in his statement filed
with the secretary of state. 1t Is alleged
that other payments have been made by
him which he has not reported. The copies
of his paper, amounting to 100000 day, it
is alleged, distributed throughout the state
for a period of over one month, must have
been at the expense of some person or
persons, and no report has been filed which
would show who paid this expense"