New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-30
Childs Defends
Million Dollar Fund
To Elect Mitchell
Fusion Faced Unparalleled
Difficulties, Chair
man Says

William Hamlin Childs, head of the
Fusion committee which failed to re-
elect Mayor Mitchell, yesterday issued
a statement justifying the expenditure
Of the 100000 campaign fund, which
has been severely criticised. Mr.. Childs
found justification for the large ex-
penditure N the fact that Fusion had
70 carry on an intensive campaign of
education against "snti-Gary, pacifist,
Socialist and pro-German groups"
He also in statement took occasion
to relieve the Fusion committee for
failure to nominate Mayor Mitchell in
the Republican primaries, asserting
that Fusion in its appeal to Republican
voters followed the majority opinion
OF the best political advisors Of the
Republican party
Mr.. Childs says:
"A preliminary survey Of political
conditions early in June showed that
several organized movements had been
al work for months TO misrepresent 10
the people Of New York City the .splen-
did work done for them by the Mitchell
administration. Among these were the
anti-Gary group, the pacihsts, the So
cialists and the pro-German groups.
The attacks upon the administration D.
these different groups were from so
many different angles that 1t was evil
dent at once that nothing but an IN
tensive and expensive campaign Of en-
lightenment and education could pos
sibly change the situation.
an consequence such campaign
was resolutely undertaken. This was
a work OF education. Many HUNDREDS
Of thousands of pamphlets were pre-
pared setting forth the various city
activities, and great many adVertlse--
ments in about one hundred daily ana
weekly papers.
Organizations were started OF every
nationality and speakers and meetings
were arranged. During the last three
weeks of the campaign twenty-five III
door meetings and seventy-five outdoor
meetings were held avery night with a
CORPS Of about 300 speakers. Halls,
music and automobiles were large eX-
pense.
after the primary day results the
committee was faced with an unparai-
Ieled situation. The leader OF its TICK
81 was only an independent nominee,
without any political organization.
"a demand was made upon the COM
r,;ttee for "A complete political organ
ration, covering with ciubhouses, meet
ings. workers, etc, more than E'UoV
ELECTION districts. all 10 be done within
a few weeks. A determined beginning
was AZ once made, and later, with the
belp OF the Republican organization IN
certain counties and without 1t IN oth-
crs, such an organization was created
all Of this great expense falling upon
the committee.
Never before has the burden OF
publicity and organization fallen upon
one group. The expenses were watched
with the utmost care and innumeraole
plans presented were turned down. Inc
Offices were under the constant super
vision Of certified public accountant
and were on strictly business basis,
All expenses were incurred on d de-
t>-tmental budget system, with an able
man at the head OK each department.
Main Items of Expense.
The main expenses incurred were
the following: Publicity, including
advertisements, billboard posters
Darnphlets. the publication OF the Flu
non Flashlight' and the large expense
OF distribution; indoor and outdoor
meetings in vast numbers in every
borough and automobile meetings every
pioht In October, nominating petitions,
workers for primary day, for six reg
,stration days and for Election Day; the
enormous problem Of creating an in,
dependent organization for Mitchell
throughout the city, the soldier vote,
including sending man 20 Europe and
men 20 all Of the eDcampments and
! maintaining headquarters at these
camps; the maintenance OF two large
general headquarters, with large staff
Ia Manhattan, and headquarters and
stafs in the other boroughs.
In kn n