New-York tribune., 1920-09-04
Edge Says Cox
Should Insist
On Testifyiing; 2;
Failure of Democrats to Up-
hold Fund Charges Called
Best Reason for Governor
to oCive Facts if He has Any
Both Sides Still i'm Dark
Investigation Is Welcomed
by Republicans in All Sec
tions, Declares Senator
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

special dispatch to The Tribune
ATLANTIC CITY, Sept. 3.-If wit
nesses appearing before the Senate
investigating committee next week do
not substantiate Governor Cox's CHARGE
of S15,00O,00O Republican slush fund
1T will be up to Governor Cox to testify
voluntarily as to the facts he has to
warrant his many publicly made asser-
tions, Senator Walter E. Edge, men,
Der OF the committee, said here to-day
1T has been the committees desire
as certainly evidenced, to show every
courtesy to Governor Cox, in view of
the calls on his time as the nominee
of his party" Senator Edge said. "At
the same time, the allegations of Gov
ernor Cox are Of such a serious nature
that after the committee has exhausted
every lead furnished by MIR. Cox or his
representatives or others, which the
committee certainly is endcavorinc to
DO, then, speaking personally, it would
seem to me absolutciy y imperative for
the Governor himself to testify. |
should think, occupying the position he
does' he would insist upon doing SO.
Cox's Suggestions Followed
when the Governor made his CHARGES
IN this connection he suggested calling
the chairman and treasurer of the Re-
publican National Committee. We have
cone so. We have also called similar
ofilclals of the Democratic National
committee, who have frankly passed
the responsibility to Governor Cox.
These and others have testified under
oath, and the existence or authorization
OF a Sl5,O00,000 fund has certainly in
no way been established
The committee, however. has pretty
clearly established through evidence
obtained that the Democratic National
Committee started less than year ago
with the expectation, sworn to by their
director of finance, Mr.. Jameson, to
secure million contributors to their
treasury, although it was left to con-
lecture the amount Of the fund they
would receive if their ambition had
succeeded. Their drive, they admit,
was failure.
THE committee has established the
TACT tact that IN carrying out this financial
drive, letters were freely written to
Federal Office holders, demanding con-
trlbutions, and in order to cvadc the
law were sent under special delivery
stamps, so that such appeals or de-
mands would be delivered to the
homes rather than to the offices Of the
recipients.
"Ihc committee established the fact
under oath from the former chairman
OF the Democratic National Committee.
Mr.. Cummings, and the present chair
man of the Republican National Com
mittce. Mr.. Hays, that the desired budg-
cts Of the two chairmcn for these
campaigns were only few hundred
thousand dollars apart, and Mr.. White,
the present chairman Of the Demo
cratic National Committee, while more
modest in his suggestions, still adj
mitted that his goal Of $2,000,0O0 was
subject to revision if more money
could be obtained.
Plans for Future Testimony
"Speaking personally. l am willing to
hear any additional witnesses that can
throw any light on Governor Cox's
charges, or on the anticipated excess
coming election, but have not time or
inclination to be chasing up a blind al
ley, and fec! that after the four days,
probing already, and the committee 5
determination now to hear the chair
man of the Republican Ways ard Means
or Finance Committee Of large states as
requested from Democratic circles, to
supplement the testimony already Sc
cured, that we will have fairly we'll cx-
hausted all the suggestions that have
been made by either Governor Cox or
mis- managers.
~, OF course, cannot anticipate what
the hearing VIII bring out next week,
cut if they are as barren OF results
in 'iocatinG a fund to buy the Prcsi-
dency Of the United States or to secure
AN administration that will use bayo-
nets to control industrial disputes
move is certainly up to Governor Cox.
every member of the committee,
Democrats and Republicans, and l am
sure no Democrat will question but
that they arc we'll represented on the
committee by Senators Pomerenc and
Reed. both able, experienced lawyers
and inluisitors, has exercised every
freedom in cross-cxaminaton and
sworn testimony must speak for itself.
again l repeat that l am ready and
anxious to hear every side, but the
charges as made arc of such serious
ness that they should either be proved
or withdrawn, or Governor Cox must
stand indicted Of having, to say the
least, innuguratcd mighty question:
able type Of campaign propaganda.
"Thc sworn testimony is a public
record and l feel this statement is re-
quircd to answer any queries l have
had as to why, to date, Governor Cox
has not been called to prove his oft
repeated allegations. Of course, final
judgment must not be passed until the
committee has completed it's hearings" ."