Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-03
MICHIGAN's sENAT0RsH1P.
Large Expenditures in Behalf Of
the Republican Candidate.

To the Editor of The Star.
Your editorial Of Friday, under the
caption 1.-THE Michigan Result" is SO
far out of line with your long rec
ognized record for accuracy of state
ment that I have felt constrained to
invite your consideration of the facts
surrounding the Michigan senatorial
primary. AS lifelong resident of
Michigan, and reasonably conversant
with her public men and more or less
notorious varieties of politics. would,
indeed, be glad if it might be truth
fully said that the Wolverine state
could emerge from at least an occa-
siona1 senatorial primary minus the
odors of Doodle, scandal or methods
calculated to thwart the spirit or di-
rect the nomination and election of
these high officials. Coincident with
her long and enviable career of prog
ress, development and creative genius
Michigan has found herself encum-
bered by men possessing political am
billions which, unrecognized by rea-
son of fitness, have forced them
selves upon the public through lavish
expenditures of money, and bfazenly
in the face of laws calculated to sup
press such unpatriotic efforts.
In the late senatorial race. which
has already brought Michigan. by rea-
proportions equal to any of the dis
graces of the past, you say that
Neither Mr.. Newberry or Mr.. Ford
made a primary campaign. Both
submitted their claims without argu-
ment." Whatever may be the knowl-
edge or the views of the people of
Michigan as to the innocence Of Mr..
Newberry regarding the facts, I in
vite your attention to the statement
made at least ten days prior to the
publication Of your editorial, issued
by the "Newberry senatorial commit
tee," which admitted the expenditure
of $150.0O0 in his behalf with 1.-THE
say that this committee had con-
tracts covering a period of ninety
days with more than 800 daily and
weekly publications in the state, with
a minimum of $50 inches Of advertis-
ing space each. it is difficult to con-
ceive that no money was spent with
the knowledge or consent" of Mr..
agents and representatives of that
committee were travelling over the
state during that period giving din
ners and smokers to the partisan
politicians of almost every COM
munity, and not a farmers picnic or
social function of any moment was
held that was not infested by squad
of Newberry boosters. all admittedly
under pay.
Since the statement referred to was
issued. it is admitted that the ex-
penditures in behalf of this candidate
reached a total of $25O.000, while the
concensus of opinion is that the
actual outlay to land the nomination
of Mr.. Newberry is nearer half q
million dollars than the last amount
admitted.
No allegation is made that Mr.. Ford
either sought the nomination or
that he or any other person or COM
mittee expended one cent in his behalf
Whatever may be your views Of the
desirability of the Detroit inventor
for the senatorship, the people Of
Michigan have the satisfaction Of
knowing that at least one millionaire
has gone through a primary contest
for the senat orial nominal i3n with
cut the utilization Of unlawful and
corrupt;ng methods, ana wh.cn fact
will doubtless enter largely into the
decision which will be reached by the
voters of that state at the coming
election. A. r. CANFIELD,