The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-10-11

publicans and Democrats who are off,
GERS or stockholders in ship-building
companies engaged in building ships
for the Government and depending
upon future contracts from the same
source. If this has been done, it is
represensible in the highest degree.
If this has been done in Oregon, it has
doubtless been done in every other
section of the country where govern
ment contracts have been let Direct
and personal solicitation of partisan
contributions from concern having
war contract is the grossest kind OF
utilization of the war for partisan
political purposes.
"There could be no criticism of ac-
ceptance of voluntary campaign con-
tributions from individual Democrats
to Democratic campaign fund, even
if those contributors had government
contracts. But direct solicitation of
contributions is an entirely different
thing, particularly when the solicita-
ton is directed to Republicans as
we'll as Democrats. Solicitation Of
funds in that manner leaves the neces-
sary inference that the contributions
are expected because the men have
government war contracts rather than
because they believe in the principles
and practices of the Democratic party.
"Perusal of the letter sent to Off
GERS and stockholders of ship-building
companies will shoG that it is not
only an attempt to get a rake-off from
Government contracts, but is a repeti-
ton of the false claim that only Demo-
Gratis are 100 per cent American. Here
is the language of the letter as pub
lished by the Oregonian:
"Tt is incumbent upon every citi-
zen to make an extraordinary effort to
uphold the policies of our great Presi-
dent, which can be done only by elect
ing to the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives those who are 100 per cent
American, in accordance with the aims
of the Administration.
"'A broad, comprehensive educa-
tional campaign is being conducted
throughout the country. 1t is neces-
sarily expensive.
"'You are now given an opportuni-
ty to do something real, and we hope
you will make an early contribution
with the knowledge that what you will
do will help place the National Ad-
ministration in a position to increase
it's efforts in the prosecution of the
war;
Although the plea is ostensibly for
the election of Senators and Repre-
sentatives who are 100 per cent
American, the funds are to be used
only for the election of Democrats, so
the necessary inference is that only
Democrats are 100 per cent American.
The money will be used to re-elect
Champ Clark, Kitchen, Dent, and 9TH
Ell Democrats who fought the selec-
tive draft law, without which this war
could not have been conducted for a
week by American troops.
"The statement that %yo,is are now
given an opportunity to do some.
thing real is an implied assumption
that men who have bought Libei ~
Bonds, paid war taxes, contributed to
the Red Cross and conserved food
stuffs, have done nothing real until
they contribute to the Democratic
campaign fund.
"The whole letter and the manner
of it's distribution, if the press re-
ports are correct, is base perversion
of war business for partisan political
ends. 1t is an insult to more than
half of the voters of America. 1t is a
misrepresentation of the Republicans
in Congress 1t is one of the most
represensible attempts ever made by
political party to exact toll from
government contractors. This action
of the Democratic National Commit
tee should be severely rebuked by the
voters ~, tho November elections"