Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-08-19
ASK BANKS TO
RECEIVE FUNDS
Their Aid Asked in Popular
Donation Plan.

New York, Aug. 1e.-William G. Nc
Adoo, vice chairman of the Demo
cratic national committee. will send
this week to every bank and trust
company In the United States a letter
asking It's officers to accept campaign
contributions net only for the Demo
cratic party, but for the Republicans
and Progresstves also.
Along with the letter which Mr.. Nc
Adoo sent went a letter from Governor
Wilson in which tho governor said that
ITO bring about the election OF a presi-
lent through a campaign financed by
popular subscription would be a distinct
and gratifying triumph"
MI. McAdoo thinks that his idea will
20 a long way toward eliminating the
evil of large campaign contributions
from corporations and others who
would have favors to ask in ease the
contributions help a party into power.
1t is nc new thing. as WAS pointed out
at Democratic national headquarters,
for parties to appeal to the voters for
contributions, but Mr.. McAdoo thinks
1t will be easier for individual voters
to give money in small sums through
their banks than to sead 1t in checks
or money orders through the mails. He
figures that there will be more small
contributors than eve before.
Patriotic Service, Says Letter.
This is Mr.. McAdoo's letter:
nao, Ct, A. az-zI,.tty
is presented to the banks and trust COM
panies OF this country for the perform
ance OF a patriotic service of inestimable
value to the people. There has long been
a deep seated conviction In the public
mind that presidential campaigns have
been financed by certain interests having
a special stake in the control of the gov
eminent. 1t is clear that such campaigns
should, for the common good, be free
from the suspicion of sinister influences.
The Democratic party at least will re-
spond to the overwhelming popular senti-
ment in favor of the financing of presi-
dental campaigns by the people them
selves. This years campaign must be
financed by popular subscription. These
cannot be secured unless convenient and
responsible agencies all over the country
are provided for the receipt and trans
mission OF subscriptions.
Banks, trust companies and newspapers
are the best agencies. The newspapers
are already at work VIII the banks and
trust companies perform the same patriot
lie service? The banks and trust compa-
nies Of course Will not be partisan. They
should accept and transmit subscriptions
for each Of the national parties II they act
at all.
subscriptions to the Democratic national
committee, the Republican national COM
mittee and the Progressive national COM
mittee? Speaking for the Democratic ma
tional committee, I would not ask you to
act for ono unless for all. This must be
a patriotic service to the public and not to
any one party. Each day a list of this
banks agreeing to act will be given to the
press. VIII you kindly telegraph at our
expense II you will serve? II you agree
to do 80, please notify tho newspapers Of
your community. In order that you may
know the attitude of Governor Wilson in
regard to popular subscriptions, I inclose
q copy OF d letter from him on this sub
ject, just received. ". @. A'ADOO.
Governor Wilson's Letter.
This is the letter from Governor
Wilson and which Mr.. McAdoo in
closed:
Bringing about the election OF a president
through h campaign HIhncSu by popular
subscriptions would be a distinct and graf
flying triumph. 1t would strikinEly evil
dence tho renewed supremacy Of the peo-
pie and would mean the permanent eman-
cipation Of our government from those
selfish Influences Fhich have too long
been relied upon to furnish the campaign
funds In return for favors to DO bestow-
ed. / am In hearty sympathy with every
effort that may contribute to such a re-
suit. The idea back of the proposed con-
tributors' movement Is thoroughly COM
mendable, and I hope that you and your
associates will push It and mako It an ef-
fsctive instrument fer the attainment OF
so p~ratseworthy an object. Yours very
truly, WILSON.
There are upward Of 1900 banks
and trust companies In the United
States. In 1904 and 1908 Democratic
newspapers In various parts Of the
country raised for the party treasury
moro than $4,000, but It Is supposed
that Mr.. McAdoo's scheme will pro-
duce A much lareer amount.