Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-11
CORRUPT PRACTICES
ACT, WILSON'S PLAN
TO CURB CAMPAIGNS
Measure "With Teeth" to Be One
of First Pieces of Legisla-
tion by the Next
Congress
JOBS FOR NERS

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1l.--A corrupt
practices act with teeth" will be one Of the
first pieces OF legislation which President
Wilson will ask Of Congress. Just what
form IL will take has not been decided, but
II is certain that II will limit expenditures
of money by national committees In presi-
Dental and congressional elections. IL will
also be so drawn that stop will be put TO
large expenditures by individuals on their
own responsibility. According to informa-
tion reaching here. there was much of the
latter done in the recent campaigns and
both parties had the benefit.
Talk OF congressional investigation TO
determine how much money was used has
died down here. For a time certain Demo-
cratic leaders were insisting that they had
evidence that an enormous corruption fund
had been used against the reelection of
President Wilson. but now they admit they
have no evidence to support any such con
tention. IL is expected that the western
Republicans will work with the Democrats
In framing the corrupt practices act and II
is certain that It will In no way be par
tisan measure.
REWARDS FOR THE FAITHFUL
Senators and representatives who are re-
turning here today agree that the money
spent In the recent campaign was far too
much The great question confronting the
politicians is what line the new political
combination of the South and West will
take in It's legislation. There is no ques-
tion that the Western Congressman will de-
mand real recognition from the Wilson Ad-
ministration and there seemed today a
strong possibility that many fat jobs now
held by Eastern Democrats would be
switched to the men of the prairies and the
mountains who did yeoman service for
President Wilson In the battle of last
Tuesday.
SO far as cabinet changes are concerned
IL was said on authority today that this wai
one matter TO which the President had
paid no attention. II naturally is accepted
that there will be some changes, as two OF
three members of the present cabinet are
anxious to go back TO private life. How
ever, II Is understood that the President
will pay no attention TO these changes unit
after the first of the year. When he re-
turns here next week he is expected to begiI
work on his annual message to Congress
which reconvenes next month.
ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE
Meanwhile the question OF organization
of the next House was a potent subject oi
| conversation here today. on the surface
| the Democrats have one more member thar
the Republicans. having won in New Mex
leo. making the count Democrats, 216
| Republicans. 2l5, with a Progressive Pro
| tectionist from Louisiana, "a Progressiv,
| from Minnesota a Socialist from New
York and a Prohibitlonlst from Californii
| 70 be counted on. But the Democrats ex
| pect that a recount in the Sd New Jersey
| District Will re-elect Thomas j. Sculy, ant
| that they will also gain In the 21st Penn
| sylvania District, where W. Il. Tobias
claims that the complete figures, with tn,
soldier vote, will give him the election.