Evening star., 1916-09-06
CORRUPT PRACTICES BILL
IS BEFORE THE SENATE
Vote on Passage Of Measure Deemed
Unlikely-Semblance Of
Filibuster.

The Senate today decided, 81 to ~, to
take up Senator Owens corrupt practices
bill. which would greatly curtail cam
paign expenditures and impose heavy
penalties for violation Of its terms.
Seven republicans voted with the
democrats to take up the bill and seven
democrats voted against the motion.
Senator Owen explained that the meas
ure was designed to remedy defects In
existing law to strengthen 1t by impos-
ing heavy fines and Imprisonment for
violations
Speaking for tho bill. Senator Ashurst
said the improper use of money in polit-
ical campaigns in this country began in
I1s76, and that 1t is now high time that
Congress should pay some attention to
the matter.
May Not Reach Vote.
The Senate took up the bill. having
nothing else before 1t. but administration
leaders said that in their opinion, 1t
could not reach a vote. Republican
leaders insisted that they would never
let 1t reach a vote. Senator Simmons as
serted that if 1t becomes apparent that
the bill cannot be voted on without
prolonged fight motion would be
made to take some other measure whlie
waiting for the conference report on
the revenue bill There was possi-
biIity. however. that the corrupt prac-
tices bill might be debated until the
revenue conference report. which Is
privileged, reaches the Senate. It also
was planned to adopt concurrent reso.
luton fixing the time for adjournment
of Congress as soon as the revenue con-
ferees can indicate when they can reach
an agreement. Adoption OF such reso-
luton would serve to check any at
tices bill and would be seized upon by
republican leaders as a means OF eno-hs
debate.
Semblance Of Filibuster.
After the bill and the committee re-
port had been read. the Senate seeeleo
down to the semblance of hibuster'
there being no effort made to replace
It with any other legislation. Senator
Husttne of Wisconsin said that he, Tor
one. was ready to stay here until after
election in order to pass the measure.
The BILL which has been on the calen-
dar for many weeks, ana Whlcn was
once placed on the legislative program
by the democratic caucus, but later
eliminated, would limit expenditures by
national and congressional campaign
committees to 100000 for the election
of a President or Vice President. and
those in behalf Of a candidate for the
presidential nomination to $4,000 and
the vice presidential nomination to $25.-
900 Expenditures in behaIf OF cand1,
dates for the Senate would be limited
to $1,000, and in behalf of members OF
the House to $4,000.
Bars Corporation Gifts.
It would be unlawful for a corpora
ton to contribute to a campaign fund
and Individual contributions could not
be more than $1,000. Funds could not
be transmitted from one state to an
other in excess of $1,000 for each con-
eressional district. The names of all
contributors in amounts Of over $40
Capitol here and every candidate must
include in his statement every promise
or pledge made personally or through
another person, before a primary or
nominating convention or election re-
lating to recommendations or appoint
ments to offices of trust or profit or
honor in the county. state or nation Tor
the purpose of securing support
The bill would permit disbursements
didates and members of political COM
mittees; for payment Of fees to place
names on ballots: to permit hire OF
clerks and office help; to pay tele-
graph and telephone tolls. freight ex-
press and postage charges; for print
ing; for procuring lists Of voters: for
rent; for advertising, and for securing
public meeting places. Violations OF
most of the bills provisions would be