The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-04-09
LABOR WANTS TO KNOW
WHO'S PUTTING UP THE
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES
OBy CHARLES VI. Kelley

are successful.
Ugly charges are being made by
candidates that vast sums of money
are being expended in primary
contests, and a demand has been
made upon Congress for an immedi-
late investigation, that this scandal
may not attain even larger pro-
portions. But Congress, with
characteristic supineness, is not
disposed to undertake an inquiry
that may be quite embarrassing 1t
doesn't relish the idea Of washing
dirty political linen in public, be-
cause of the inevitably bad effect
it may have upon the poular mind.
If millions of dollars are thus
early being expended, it may be
reasonably expected that additional
millions will be put into the cam
paign as it gains in intensity. If
so much ammunition is being used
in the preliminary skirmishes,
the imagination balks at contemp-
llation of the huge sums that will
be required when the contestants
are lined up for the major struggle.
Who is so generously providing
these millions? That is the question
that concerns labor. And labor in
tends that the corruptionists shall
| be smoked out, if there is any way
of doing it.
A letter has been addressed to
every presidential candidate by
Labor" the national weekly news
paper of the fourteen recognized
brotherhoods, directing attention to
the charges of corruption and to the
menace involved in this situation.
1T is possible" this letter says,
for a candidate, or those repre-
senting him, to spend millions of
dollars to secure friendly delegates,
and it is conceivable that in that
way both parties might be induced
to name candidates who represent
certain financial interests without
regard to the welfare of the peo-
pie of the United States"
This question is then directed to
the presidential candidates:
How is your campaign financed
How much have you expended to
date, and how much do you expect
to spend before the national con-
lvention of your party meets? viii
you be good enough to furnish the
names of the contributors to your
campaign fund or to any fund
which is to be used in your behalf,
and the amounts Of the contribu-
tions? VIII you, before your ma
tional convention meets, make a
further sworn statement of eX-
Ipenditures, together with lists of
contributors and furnish same to
the press?'
Those to whom this letter has
Leen sent are requested to state
whether they will join in an appeal
TO Congress to Immediately enact
Legislation which will compel all
candidates for the presidency to
make sworn statements to some
official of the national government,
showing all moneys expended by
the candidates or any one acting in
their behalf.
This is a legitimate inquiry in a
democratic government. Men usu-
ally pay their debts. Politicians
pay them to the men who select
them If they are elected by the
financial interests they settle their
accounts after they have been
elected to office. But they do not
pay with their own money. They
pay with other peoples money
They pay in legislation. They pay
/ in nomination to the Supreme
Court. They pay in variety OF
ways. But they always pay with
other peoples money.
Interest has a large stake in the
presidential campaign. 1t seeks
many things. 1t seeks enlarged
opportunities for exploitation. II
has been encouraged by its recent
/ success in securing control of the
railroads and gigantic subsidies
paid out of the national treasury
III is encouraged by recent Supreme
Court decisions that have beer
entirely in the interest of privilege
IL is encouraged by its ability tt
Induce the court to disregard the
spirit of the law and invoke the in
junction against the workers. 1t il
encouraged by its recent victories
to press forward for still greater
concessions.
/ Privilege is willing to pay fol
what it wants. 1t is willing to pay