Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-27
CHARGE VIOLATION OF
CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
Democratic Leaders Start Investiga-
ton Into Cases of Several
Representatives. Elect,
SPENT MORE THAN $4,000
Will Determine Whether These Men
Are Entitled to- Seats i'm Houss
Until Congress Can Inquire Into
and Decide What Shall Re Done
Especial to The Timcs-Dispatch +,

anu 'CSiue Nnat snail BS Done,
Especial to The Times Dispatchl
WASHINGTON. November 2s.-
Democratic leaders in Congress, 1t be-
came known to-day, have started I'm
investigation into reported violations
of the Federal corrupt practices act in
the recent congressional elections with
the view Of determining whether or
not Representatives. elect, who snent
more than $1,000 in their campaigns.
arc entitled to seats in the House nm
til Congress can inquire into and de-
eide what shall be done in cases where
this law has been broken.
Democratic leaders declare that at
least seven Republican Representa-
tives-clect, in sworn statements OF
their expenses sent to House Clerk
South Trimblc, have violated the cor
rupt practices act so far as campaign
expenditures are involved. They re-
fused to give the names of these men,
An investigation of the reports receiv-
cd by Clerk Trimble reveals three
cases Of this kind. They are Renja-
min l.. Fairchild. Republican, elected
in the Twcnty-fourth New York Dis
trict, whose report says ne spent ST.
52S: George w. Fairchild. Republican,,
elected in the Thirty-fourth New
York. whose report gives S9,336 as the
amount of his campaign expenditures,
and Medill Mccormick. Republican
Congressman, elected at large in Illi-
nois, whose report gives $1,000 as the
total of his expenditures.
Some of tho Democratic leaders, who
have gone into this matter. declare
that Congress, in passing the corrupt
practices act. reserved to itself the
form of punishment which shall be
meted out to men who break this pro-
vision OF the law 1t was recalled to-
day that Representative t:atlin, of ST.
Louis, was unseatcd from the Sixty
second Congress because he had vio-
lated the Missouri State law In his
campaign expenditures. The present
Federal act. bearing upon campaign
expenditures by candidates for the
House and the Senate, does not make
any provision for punishment. 1t be-
ing contcnded that Congress, In lcav-
ing out such a provision. desired to, fix
the form OF punishment according to
the gravity of the case.
MUCH UNEAsINESS
AMONG REPUBLICANS
The reported cases OF violations of
the corrupt practices act gives tho
Democrats the whip hand In any move
they might make TO organize tho next
House. and Id Is known that this phase
Of the situation is causing much un-
easincss among the Republicans. Un-
der the law, South Trimble, the Demo-
cratic clerk OF tho present House, will
make up the temporary roll OF tho next
House and preside over that body un-
til an organization has been effected.
Mr.. Trimble has it within his power to
strike from tho temporary roll the
Names OF any member elect who he be-
lievcs. is not entitled to seat under
the law. leaving 1t to the House. when
IL organizes. to pass upon the case. If
the Democratic leaders believe the cor
rupt- practices act has been violated and
the membcrs-clcct who broke the law
should be barred from participation in
the temporary House proceedings. Mr.,
Trimblc will likely follow their judg-
mcnt
II lnTcS OF -FOUR ltcpubnCdnS, VINO
spent over the $1,000 limit. arc barred
from tho House until their cases arc
investigated, the Democrats will not
have much trouble in organizing that
body next December and hold the orr
ganiZation until all the contested cleo
ton cases have been passed upon. There
are likely to be at least twenty-five
seats contested in the next House, and
according to reports received in WASH
inGton, some of the cases are very
haSrant. The House has the sole power
to determine these cases.
The Democrats. according to official
count received in Washington, have
elected PA members sure, four short
of actual majority. There are two dis
tric;s where both the Republicans and
the Democrats claim the election of
their candidates. These two districts
are In addition TO those whore contests
N Il