New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-19
MANN CALLS CAMPAIGN
FUND COLLECTION CRIME
Asks House to Investigate Dem.
oCratiC Assessment of $100
on Representatives.
POINTS TO THE PENAL CODE
Chairman Doremus's Letter,
Soliciting Money, Said To Be
in Direct CONFIRMATION
of Amended Law.
From The Tribune Bureau. I


Washington, Sept 1s.-Representativo
Mann. the minority leader. threw a politi-
cal bombshell into the Democratic camp
to-day when he demanded an investiya-
ton by tho House of the 500 assessment
levied against Democratic members Of
Congress by the Congressional Campaign
Committee Of that party This assess
ment. Mr.. Mann asserted, was in violation
or criminal statute and made liable 70
fine and Imprisonment the members OF
the committee who have directly or inoi-
recty sought campaign contributions
from persons on the payroll Of the United
States government
chairman Dorenus Of the Democrats
congressional Campaign Committee re-
Gently wrote every Democratic member
OF Congress that the committee. on motion
OF Senator Thomas. Of Colorado, had as
sessed the majority members of Com
gress 800 each toward defraying the ex-
penses Of the 1914 campaign and 10 SIM
ply 5000 deficiency now existing in tina
party coners. Mr. Mann obtained copy
OF that His demand left the Democrats
habbergasted and porting over law books
and precedents
Representative Crisp. Georgia Demo-
crat and former parliamentarian of the
House, rushed TO the temporary aid Of his
party colleagues. He moved the refer
ence Of the Mann resolution to the Com
mitee on Election OF President. Vice.
President and Representatives in Con-
gress. Here the resolution probably viii
lie indefinitely. hut the Republicans may
harass the Democrats from time to tins
by airing the alleged transgressions OF
the majority and demanding action. In
| HIS resolution to-day. Mr.. Mann cites Sec
! tons lis and ll9 - the Penal code. as
amended by the act Of March {, 1909,
which STIMULATES:
That no Senator or Representative
shall directly or indirectly So
l!cit or receive or be m any manner CON-
cerned in soliciting or receiving any as
sessment subscription or contribution for
any political purpose whatever
from any person receiving any salary or
compensation from moneys derived from
the Treasury Of the United States;
That no person shall in any room or
building occupied in the discharge OF OFF,
cial duties by any officer or employe OF
cedng section solicit in any man-
ner whatever or receive any contribution
OF money or other thing OF value for any
political purpose whatever"
Section 100 provides that any person
violating the provisions OF the sections
cited shall be fined not more than $500
or Imprisonment not more than three
years. or both.
IT'S political trick" said the worried
Mr.. Doremus tonight. but | won't dis
| cuss the matter until have examined the
law more fully. This matter was dis
cussed in the committee. but we took the
view that so long as We did not ask
contributions from federal employees and
only assessed members Of Congress &
was all right"
Mr.. Mann. however. pointed 70 the LAM
guage OF the law and every Republican
in the House watched with amusement
the discontinue Of the Democrats while
the Mann resolution was being read from
the clerks desk.