New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-24
Government Officials Who
Attend d Convention
Even Charged 7 h cir
Tips Against Taxpayers
Scripps Admits
Cox Propaganda
Federal Publications Used
i'm Interests of League:
Baruch Gifts Confirmed
From The Trtbune,a Washfnaton Rur.n.

From The Tribune's WASHINGTON Bureau
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2s.-Govern-
ment publications have been used to
spread propaganda favoring the League
OF Nations and Federal government Of
flcials attended the San Francisco con-
vention, at which Governor Cox re-
ceived the Democratic nomination for
President, in large numbers at the ex-
pense of the taxpayers, it was shown
to-day before the Senate committee in
vestigating campaign funds.
1t was testified before the committee
that the Scripps-McRae newspapers,
through subsidiary organization, the
Newspaper Enterprise Association, is
carrying on q propaganda program for
Governor Cox through ninety-one daily
newspapers scattered throughout the
country. Governor Cox, it was admit
ted. had helped Robert P. Scripps, a
son Of E. c. Scripps, head of the
Scripps-McRae league of newspapers, to
obtain exemption from service during
the war.
The expense accounts OF ATTORNEY
General Palmer, navy officers and en-
rloyees of the departments of Justice,
State and other departments and impor-
tant government officials will be ex-
amlned by the committee tomorrow in
an effort to learn whether the expenses
OF these officials and employees to the
San francisco convention were paid out
Of the national treasury.
Baruch Backs Film
The committee started to delve into
the records of the departmental audi
tors to-day and disclosed the fact that
three assistant attorney generals of
the United States and Mr.. Palmer's
private secretary went to San Fran
cisco at the time of the convention "on
official business" and charged their ex-
penses to the Federal government.
Loren G.. Talbot, a correspondence
expert, testified to-day that he had sent
letters to between 100000 and 100000
Democrats soliciting campaign contri-
buttons, and sums as high as $1,000
were asked. He said he thought about
100000 had been obtained in that
manner.
Talbot denied that the list of names
had been obtained from lists of Liberty
loan contributors as recorded with the
government, and declared he had no
special form of letter for postmasters
or officeholders. This testimony was
given In response to suggestion that
oficeholders may have been asked to
contribute to the fund.
Before adjourning for the day the
committee obtained confirmation of re-
ports that Bernard M. Baruch is back
ing the production of "Uncle Sam of
Freedom Ridge" pro-League of Ma
advanced $4,000 to the producer,
Harry Levey, of New York, and will
put up an additional $12,5O0. Mr..
Levey told the committee that Mr..
Baruch backed the venture because it
was an argument in favor of the
league. Mr.. Baruch will be reimbursed
for the money should the film make a
profit, Mr.. Levey said.
The members of the committee, Dem
ocrats and Republicans alike, ques-
toned Robert P. Scripps at length re-
garding the propaganda he said the
Scripps-McRae papers and the News
paper Enterprise Association are con-
Quoting for Governor Cox.
Scripps's Son Questioned
Mr. Scripps at the outset of his tes-
timony admltted that the Scripps-
McRae services were distributing
frankly propaganda" editorials and
news articles favoring the Democratic
nominee, but emphatically denied that
letter written to Governor Cox urg-
ing his exemption from the draft had
anything to do with it. He said that
he did not question the authenticity
Of the Cox letter, but declared that he
knew nothing of it until he read it
in The New York Tribune last Mon
day.
The witness said he knew that an
appeal was being made for his exemp-
ton and for the exemption of his
brother, James G. Scripps, but he in
sisted that he knew nothing Of the de-
tails of how the decisions of the local
and district draft boards ordering the
two sons of the wealthy publisher inc
Continued en- page four)