Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-16
TROUBLES OF MONEY RAISER
Treasurer Sheldon Discusses Ways Of
Getting Campaign Funds.
COLLECTORS IN EACH STATE
Representatives of National COM
mittee VIII superintend work
Hitchcock Continues Confer
ence with Committeeman.

CHICAGO Aug. 15.--For the first time
since his appointment as treasurer OF the
republican national committee, George A.
Sheldon of New York today consented to
discuss the troubles of the men who ex-
pect to find the money for the conduct of
national campaign He is here to consult
with Chairman Frank II. Hitchcock and
other officials of the national committee
about the western prelminaries. The text
OF his talk with newspaper men was the
Ignorance of corporation men and even
members OF congress that a law has been
passed denying the right of corporations to
make contributions to campaign funds.
Because Of this ignorance OF the law Mr..
Sheldon said, he has been compelled to re-
turn to the senders a number OF checks
that had been received, although the
money is greatly needed. He declared that
It is his purpose to publish every indi-
vidual contribution Immediately after cleo
tion, which plan is in accordance with the
expressed wish of Mr.. Taft. as well as OF
republican leaders generally.
Publicity Retards Work.
1.-The decision to publish the names Of all
contributors" said Mr.. Sheldon, 'has made
the matter of collecting funds uphill work
The gathering of funds will be done wholly
under the auspices of the natloral commit
tee and will be directed by the treasurer
the assistant treasurer, and the advisory
committee. which is soon to be appointed
The suggestion has been made that the
state committees handle the collections in
their own states, but this plaB does not
appear to be feasible. The national COM
mittee will have its own agents in each
state, the men to be drawn from the in
fluentia business men OF the various sec
tions."
Speaking Of the probable cost Of running
the republican national campaign, Mr.. Shell
don estimated that between 500, 900 and $500, :
900 would be needed to defray the travelling
expenses OF speakers and that It would cost
at least $1,000 to put one piece Of literature
in the hands OF every voter. He fixed the
cost Of campaign buttons at more than
SIS, 900, and said that other large sums would
be needed for the expenses OF headquarters,
Autographs and advertising. Then there are
other matters that will be costly.
Hitchcock Continues Conference.
Chairman Hitchcock continued his con-
ference with western members Of the execu-
tive committee today and called into these
General 7. Coleman Dupont director OF the
speakers bureau, Secretary William Hay
ward and others. Senator HemeDway made
= report to Mr.. Hitchcock concerning the
situation in Indiana and expressed the con-
viction that the state would be carried for
Taft and that the rpublicaD state ticket
would be elected He did not minimize the
necessity for hard campaign work, how
ever.
Senator Dolliver Of Iowa, who has been
speaking before chautauqua assemblies in
the west, was also a caller and Mr.. Hitch
cock said he received from the senator
much important information concerning the
political conditions in western states.
Soon after September l Chairman Hitch
cock expects to go to some place In the
south TO confer with republican leaders.
After that he will go TO the Pacific coast.