New-York tribune., 1920-03-27
BIorah! Charges
Four Plots to
Buy Presidency
DeclaresManagersforW Wood,
Lowden and 2 Democrats
Seek to Gain Nomina-
tons by Use of Money
|Irges Bill to Limit Funds
says War Profiteers Are i'm
Combination for s'Satur-
MALTA of Corruption

A .
4. candidates. Of Major General
,sonard Wood and Frank o. Lowdcn
sor the Republican Presidential nomi-
,.tion were vigorously discussed in
me Senate to-day, when Senator
Rorsh, of Idaho, who is interested in
,Ae candidacy of Senator Hiram w.
Johpson, of California, introduced his
Nu to bring Presidential candidates
under the corrupt practices act
Senator -Borah declared that the ex-
,pnditures to which he referred, COM
lne at q time when the people are
Sstressed to find the means to live,
esn only be construed as testifying
,hat the war profiteers have COM
hned to control the conventions of
both parties"
Senator Borah's bill limits the exr
renditures of each candidate for d
PRESIDENTIAL nomination to $4,000 in
eseh state, and requires Immediate
.prbIication of all contributions, under
heavy penalties of fine and imprison-
ment
Chief Aim Is Publicity
The teeth" in this bill, Senator
Borah explained, are in provision re-
curing any person, partnership, COR
peration or organization contributing
500 or more for the purpose of pro-
noting the campaign of any candidate
to notify the Attorney General of the
United States of the contributed,
within one day. A fine of S25, 700 and
three years Imprisonment is the
penalty fixed for failure to obey this
section Of the bill.
The chief aim of this measure is
publicity" said Senator Borah. "The
bill is intended to reach expenditures
il pre-conyention campaigns"
Senator Kenyon, Republican, of
Iowa, suggested that Congress author
ize an investigation of expenditures
Thomas, Democrat, of Colorado, said
he hoped the Borah bill would cover
the campaign organized labor is MAX
ing. Senator Borah said that an in
vestigation would cause delay, and as
sured Senator Thomas the labor cam
paign might come under his bill.
For many years the use of money
in elections has been growing enor-
mously," Senator Borah continued.
1T has now attained an astounding ex-
tent in controlling nominations and
elections, and the year 1920 promises
10 become perfect public saturnalia
Of corruption"
Tells of Huge Campaign Funds
Senator Borah read newspaper arti-
ees that declared the Democrats were
raising campaign fund of $10,O00,OOO,
and added that cit is apparent the Re-
puohcans are counting on CORE
Spondlngly large one"
General talk and charges arb use
less" suggested Senator Ashurst. Dem
ecrat, of Arizona. Let the Senator
ell who is spending this money. Let
lin name any Democrat who is doing
wand put the blight of publicity on
IN. Let him name any Republican he
las in mind, but don't beat about the
6ash.'
d will be glad in due time to name
as many as | can," replied Senator
Borah, "and | hope Senator Ashurst will
DO what ne can to make a good case
against any Democrat who may be in
yoved'
Il know of no Democrat who is in
dulging in extravagant expenditures, )"
replied Senator Ashurst, "but if l did
would publish it. Moreover, if l
thought any Democrat was to-day seek
ing third term | would publish that,
too"
Does the Senator mean that he
khows OF nobody now seeking third
term = demanded Senator Borah "The
assumption Of cherubic innocence is
quite too much for Senator represent
ing Arizona. So far as that is CON
srned, | think the President is en-
titled to a third term, because there
IS nobody else to take his issue to lie
country"
"lassume the Senator means third
animation. rather than a third term, >
sMaggested Senator Moses, of New
hampshire, who is the Washington
@aaager OF General Woods campaign.
WE'LL replied Senator Borah, "lf
Seneral Woods managers continue
.helr present practices it will mean
=. 'nird term. There are difficulties
VI Presenting this matter, because
sshoever interest themselves in it will
", " charged with personal or party
.selngs. l have neither. l ask no
more than statements from the candi-
.s .sses as to who has given funds to
Aas IS been made of the money.
oome candidates for the Republican
ssomiaatlon have been charged with
auge expenditure. 1t has been said
.n ,aas their campaign has been turned
s, s,si 70 coterie of men dominating
s'sss sas financial and industrial interests,
,is. Iau tnere is every appearance that
,.ss -sse men intend deliberately to con-
,., ssi lhe Republican convention. The
,ssauioates must tell the facts so that
no. @s pubic can judge. ] assume that
I'' Iuae OF them would tell an untruth.
~. ~. when they maintain silence in the
nass,si rase o, such charges there is only one
p0ssble inference.
IN the last ten years we have seen
wv sae senator expelled from this body;
s,s ~ nave seen one tried by the Senate
shor,i G narrowly escape, although he
bsva bva'o :, nave been expelled. Now we
s is;r. sne IN humiliating spectacle of a
Is j'a ~ senator convicted by jury 1t
hs-a1 nut yet time to discuss the New
tss case. but it has put upon US
NH. nh obligation to do everything pos
aS. 70 stop this sort of thing.
,ps;o long as there is no law on the
moss sec' men will not mind the use of
Il h.s IN elections. We must forbid
suhj;y. law, and thus crystalline the
Ehats sentiment against the practice.
mar uu moral ,a difference is there between
ssasn ssn VINO spends money to be elected
ssSa rasn the law happens to forbid such
disstN disenoltures and the Presidential can
,and. Sse who spends hundreds of thou
l. Nus Ior nomination? The one can
ss.;s ;sonVlcted because there is law
yis,as yinst 1t; the other cannot be con-
hs' h'sI because there happens to be no
nut morally there is no difference"
testimonials at $3.50 Each
s)ar;nasor borah read dispatch de-
ia srhng h1g tne Wood managers in Indiana