South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-01
Proposed $1,000 Limit on
Campaigns Looks Like Rap
at Michigan Senator.
By JOHN j. CARSON.
Washington Correspondent

News-Times Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 31.-Sen.
James +. Watson Of Indiana is 20
be a member of the senate commit
tee on privileges and elections. ac-
cording to the slate prepared by the
republican leaders from eastern
states who are in control OF con-
gress- Unless within the next few
days Watson realizes that this as
signment may place him in serious
difficulty later on. his name will be
published as a member Of that COM
mittee
Will n. Hays. chairman Of the re-
publican national committee, says
the party in the next campaign will
accept no contributions of more
than $1,000 each. His supporters
declare this a great reform on the
basis that anyone making greater
contributions must have some SIMS
ter purpose in making them The
corollary of this policy of limiting
contributionists that there shall be
no large expenditures for any indi-
vidual candidate.
The committee on privileges and
elections will have before them al
most Immediately the contest
brought by supporters of Henry
Ford OF Michigan to unseat Sen.
Truman Fl. Newberry. his success
full opponent in the election of last
November. Ford contends that his
defeat was accomplished by meth
DDS which are illegal and offers aft
davits that there was expended in
Newberry's behalf more than S176,-
600, or more than Newberry can
earn in salary as senator in more
than 20 years. The only Justification
offered by Newberry supporters for
the expenditures is that Newberry
was not aware of them. Some of the
attidavits may discredit this defense
Slam at Newberry.
Watson. recognized as the close
friend Of Hays. as his spokesman in
many instances in the senate. must
now either declare BY his actions
that Hays declaration of the wis
dom and political morality of &C
cepting small contributions is worthy
of approval and thereby fight to
| prevent Newberry from remaining
In his seat, or he must by his vote
and his actions publicly renounce
the program of small contributions
and the concomitant policy of small
expenditures.
IL IS very ticklish position for
Sen. Watson. one regarded with con-
siderable disquiet by his friends. on
the committee with Sen. Watson
will be at least one other republican
senator who will fight TO the utmost
/ 10 unseat Newberry if the charges
are justified. Sen. Kenyon of Iowa,
showed by his conduct I'm the fam
Gus LOriuer case that he was not
willing TO permit campaigns for the
senate 10 be characterized by un-
| justifiable practices. There will be
/ number Of democratic senators
| who will do their utmost to prevent
/ Newberry from retaining his seat if
the evidence supports the many aft
| davits filed in the case Watson by
/ his place in the committee. by his
| friendship for Hays and by his close
/ alliance with Sen. Peprose of Penn
~
| about win this fight for purity in
| senate election contests. \ certain
primary in Indiana will give him an
additional reason 20 fight good
+ tight
Everything Gone East.
But this committee assignment is
T not the only one of significance OBJ
/ tanned by Watson. Though Indiana
/ as well as the entire west is ne
/ elected in the assignment Of import
ant chairmanships. Watson has OBJ
/ tanned a place on the senate com
mittee on finance This committee.
( with the foreign relations commit
4 tee. the banking and currency com
mittee and the appropriations com
mitgee. viii be the only great and
| important committees during the en-
! tire congress
Watson was chosen for this place
I Immediately after the veactionar ies
on the republican side announced
/ they would refuse 10 concede the
demand OF the "progressives' and
unseat Sen Penrose as chairman.
I Tie minute Penrose was named
i Watson was named next When Pen
rose is not in his place in the com
mittee. Watson will deal the cards. '
But Just for the moment again Ia