New-York tribune., 1908-05-27
TAFT AHEAD OF BRYAN !
L. - - - - -
FOR PUBLICITY MEASURE.
Urged Such Legislation Last Month
Exchange Of Telegrdms.

Washington. MAY 25-When Secretary TAFT
reached his Office to-day he found several news
paper charged with inquiry to what an
swer he intended return the invitaton from
William J. Bryan join him in effort 10 OBJ
tain the enactment of a bill requiring publication
of campaign contributions. The Secretary replied
that he had not any communication from MI
Bryan this subject, and in fact il was several
hours later before the telegram reached him, as
follows:
I beg suggest that leading candidates IN
our respective parties we Join in asking Congress
to pass a bill requiring publication of campaign
contributions election II THINK nest
ask other candidates to unite with US IN
the request.
Secretary Taft had. meanwhile, and before lie had
received this communication had talk with the
President AT the White House. that he was pre-
pared Immediately upon his return TO the war
Department to give out for publication his answer
IN the form OF a telegraph dispatch to hlr. Bryan
follows:
the folIoWisg Ietter to Senator Burrows the chair
OF the Committee on Privileges and Elections
MY pear Mr.. BURROWS snoerely - belize deZrt that that
IL II %oTiq no M ieRn eRenfres no for nomination and
election Of all candidates and all contrl5ltlons re
tees could be made pubic both respect to state
and national politics For that reason ] am SiS nov
penng IN 5aTe % 0f the e ensfe and nd House bringing about
fs sTt 5fsG5 His SO Ier T pTsonai because am anxious
to avoid assuming an attitude IN the campaign camp ts
right to assume. but far my personal lnfu-
ence is concerned. am anxious to give II Tor the
passage of the bill ,..
Since writing the above, in answer 10 inquiry,
have said publicly that hoped such Dill Woulo
PASS.
Lincoln Neh Nav 26-Nr. Bryan received Sec.
retary Taft's telegram on the campaign contrlb'-
ton publicity matter this afternoon. He sent the
following reply:
/ am very much gratifed to receive your tele,
gram. and trust the publication of your letter Will
add the weight necessary to turn the scales IN
favor of the measure. Elections are public ahalrs
and publicity will help 10 purify politics
Mr.. Bryan telegrap phed TO Senator Culherson and
Representative Williams follows:
Please secure copies of my kilograms TO Secre-
tary Taft and his reply concerning campaign con-
tributions. His letter to Senator Burrows may
enable you 10 secure action on The bill
Perry Belmont, president of the National Pub
lcity Law Organization. speaking Of the CORE
srondenCe made public to-day between Secretary
Taft and William ]. Bryan the question of urg-
ing Congress pass Immediately campaign con-
trihution publicity bill said tonight:
To the members of our organization the CORE
spondenCe between the two leading candidates for
Presidential nominations demonstrates that the
for publicity Of campaign contributions
has reached the point, and public sentiment has
become insistent. that both parties will he
or not 10 disclose the amounts contributed to the
national committees ard the from which
they are obtained during the approaching cam
paign.