New-York tribune., 1907-04-17
BRYAN FOB PUBLICITY
F0UOrS Strong Measure for DtScIos-
ing Cam paign ErpenseS.

The meeting OF the National Publicity Bill Or
EaniZation in the Victoria Hotel at noon yesterday
was attended by many Democrats. Republicans ana
labor union representatives Perry Belmont presl-
dent OF the organization. was in The chair, opening
fhe meeting with short speech, during which he
introduced William Jennings Bryan. Other speak
ers were ex-senator Chandler. 81 New HAMPSHIRE
Samuel Gompers president OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor John W Tominson. OF Alabama,
and Colonel Alexander Troup. Democratic Nation
al Committe eman from Connecticut
The meeting was called AZ the request Of ma
1oritv Of the members Of the executive and law
committees Of the organization. who thought that
the Roosevelt Hartman controversy over the con-
1ributions for the 1894 campaign made the presen;
the proper time for publicly advocating the passage
by Congress of law compelling the publication Of
contributions TO and expenditures by the national
and Congressional committees. Mr.. Belmont. in his
opening address. referred 10 the non-partsan char
meter OF the organization II has 40 members in
cludng Governor Hughes. The Governor regretted
his inability attend the meeting, owing to pre-
vious engagement in Buffalo
After referring TO the salutary effects Of the New
York Publicity law; 10 the failure Of the National
Publicity bill before Congress. which. he said. was
due the drastic requirements introduced by Re
publicans. and TO the increasing strength of the
movement the country over Mt. Belmont intro
duoed Mr.. Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan began by saying that he not pre-
pared TO assert what part he would take the
next campaign what part he would like take
10 further the publicity movement. He continued:
There can be no honest politics in the country
when some interests can before election. purchase
fhat purchase. II should be the purpose OF those
who write a paTty's platform 70 state that party 5
there be honest politics II there is a secret
sion before us would not arise If there were not
great corporations existing which have an interest
n politics These corporations have faVOrs 10 ask
from the government and If not direct favor they
the evil must be understood.
The evil is not confined to one party AIr. Have
meyer contributed interesting bit OF testimony
IN this matter before the Senate committee.
FUNDS s0 n New ZEE York and 10 hs Repnboan PsTy
IN Massachusetts, but when be was asked about
m wo%S STss Se SouSt S % state f5 the chances are
there.
Mr.. Bryans specific suggestion was that the pub
mcation Of all contributions campaign funds he
required ten days before election. and that II be
made penal offence to contribute TO such funds
after that date
Samuel Gompers. following Mr.. Bryan. said that
corporations had in the past been in the habit Of
pouring money into national committees TO defeat
candidates for Congress who were particularly
acceptable 20 the labor element. and that pub
ngity law would put am END TO snSh practices and
Ex-senator Chandler was in favor of law re-
quring that campaign contributions be made public
before election He had sent letter 10 Mr. Bel
raont fearing that he would not be present az the
attempts at legislation in Congsess the subject
of campaign contributions up 20 the present time.
This letter was read 20 those present
In his speech Mr.. Chandler said that he knew II
10 he the fixed purpose OF many legislators who
were publicly advocating the passage OF publicity
lew 10 return 10 Congress next fan and do what
they could defeat the movement But. speaking
generally. he thought that within six years the
country would have such stringent legislation as
would abolish the evil use Of money in elections
both state and national
Colonel Troop introduced a motion that the
rheirlren and treasurers of the two national COM
ynittees be called upon 10 open the books for the
last Presidential campaign This was reIerred 10
the executive committee.