Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-23
INVITES COX
T0PEER|N into
c. 0. P. CHEST
Nominee Harding Not
w orried Over
Charges of Fund


Delivered at Augusta Saturday,
Actual Republican Fund Far Less
and Welcomes Fullest Investigation
dummy" Contributions "Far-
fetched Observation-Disclosures to
Make Four Speeches Coming Week
MARION. o., Aug 22--Gov. Cox's
charge of Republican fund of $15,-
UU,OOO was characterized by Senator
Harding today as absolutely un-
true and perfectly ridiculous"
Declaring he seconded the chal-
lenge of Republican National Chair
man Hays to the Democratic nomi-
nee to produce evidence of excessive
Republican contributions. Mr.. Har-
ding said that he was not fearful of
the results of any investigation of
the party treasury.
I'VE court the fullest understand
ing of our funds in every respect"
said the Republican nominee, in
commenting on Gov. Cox speech of
yesterday. Not only are statements
untrue, but as a matter of fact we
are having difficulty in producing the
funds we legitimately need to SON.
duct the campaign us it should be
conducted. Stories of $1J.OO000O
fund are perfectly ridiculous
Senator Harding added that the
wave of advancing costs and the en-
reimbursement of women had raised
the legitimate financial requirements
Of national campaign. but he de-
clared his party's money chest con-
tanned nothing like" the total
named by his Democratic opponent.
Asked whether any of the money
raised by the national committee be-
fore, the Chicago convention, he said
it all had been expended by conven-
ton time and that in making it's ar
rangements at Chicago the party
treasury had been compelled to Dor
row something like "a quarter of
million dollars"
The senator's attention was also
called to the Governor Cox charge
that the $1,000 limit fixed by Repub-
lican managers had been evaded by
dummy contributions" s-..--
The Republican nominee again de-
clared he would welcome any proof
of the assertion and when he was
asked whether the party would re-
turn money found to have been
given through dummy contribu-
tions, he replied: II think that is
rather a far-fetched hypothesis
In discussing the added expense
of carrying the campaign to the
newly enfranchised women. the can
didate said his party would not
change its campaign materially on
that account. Personally. he said.
he expected to make mo particular
appeal for the votes of the women"
Il do not believe" said senator
Harding, lin making a distinction by
appealing to either sex or to airy class
as such My campaign will be directed
to the citizenry oft he United States
and I take the view that women come
into that citizenry on he same basis
as men,
The nominee declared that he cid not
expect acknowledgements of women to
change the political complexion of
any state" asserting that experience
in the suffrage states had SHOWN the
wisdom of this opinion.
Senator Harding did not say whether
in any of his four speeches during the
coming week he would make more
formal reply to the charges of the
Democratic nominee. He suggested
however, that he considered the next
move should come from Cove rnor Cox
in reply to the challenge for rroof of
his assertion.
The first of the senator's speeches
this week will be delivered tere Tues
day to a group of prominent theatrical
folk representing the Harding and
Coolidge Theatrical League. lila borate
plans have been made to fete the Wis
itors, who will spend all day in Ma
rion and will give a special enter
tainment for the nominee on his front
porch
In his address Senator Harding is
expected to recount a one-nignt theat-
rical experience Of his own. when as
boy he decided to be an actor ard join
Continued or Page 3-coI. 81