New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-10
William Howard Taft
Discusses
Cox's Slush Fund Charge

language were, shows conclusively
that the purpose Of the committee TO
solicit small subscriptions from many
was being carried out, and excludes
altogether the inference that there
was reliance upon the contributions Of
rich men with great interests.
There is no showing as to how much
of the total of quotas can be realized.
Mr.. Hays and Mr.. Upham produce a
budget Of probable expenses Of some
thing more than three millions. Some
thing over a million has already been
spent, and as much more will be need
ed for state organizations.
II the Republican committee can Sc
cure the money, we may assume that it
will spend more than this budget. The
campaign Of 1915 cost $2,500,000 OF
SO ,0O0, 900 on each side. The increase
in the cost Of everything since then
and the enormous growth OF the cleo
torate through woman suffrage and the
will justify doubling Of amounts used
in previous campaigns without the i'm
proper use of a dollar.
These are the facts disclosed. Upon
them Governor Cox makes the charges
that the great moneyed interests Of
this country propose to buy the cleo
ton and an underhold on the govern
ment, and that, having bought the
Presidency and presented 1t to Mr..
Harding, they will use him to send
beyonets to settle industrial difficult
ties.
Governor Cox has not yet adduced
any evidence to show, frst, that i'm
proper use Of campaign funds is con-
templated; second, that men represent
ing large financial interests have con-
tributed more than $1,000 each; third,
that there is any purpose to use mill
tary forces to oppress labor. He has
turned up o mares nest in professional
publicity methods, and that Ia all. But
he has secured In the lingo used in
them phrases and terms which he can
use in every speech to supply his woe
full lack of evidence to sustain his Sc
rious charges.
This is only the beginning Of his
campaign in seeking to rouse bitter
! ness in the ranks of wage earners
against Mr.. Harding and Mr.. Coolidge
for their stand for law and order.
The reference by Mr.. Cox to bayonets
in industrial disputes is itself an in
sdious attack on the maintenance of
law and order. 1t is an invitation to
labor men to believe that with Demo-
cratic administration needed power
will not be exercised to preserve peace
and order against organized violence.
Governor Cox has manufactured the
issue out of whole cloth. He has
logged it in by the hair of the head.
With no facts to sustain its discussion
as An issue, with no evidence to brand
business interests with criminal pur-
pose to buy elections and terrorize
labor through bought government. he
rushcs through labor centers from the
East to tho West and summons spirits
of unrest and lawlessness to aid him in
his chase for office. 1t will, it must,
recoil on him, as he deserves. Men
who have praised his declaration as to
the League of Nations and his high
ideals will come to realize the des-
perate opportunism and the reckless
demagogery with which the Democratic
campaign is being carried on. They
will feel uncomfortable under such
leadership. Not in this way can the
burden Of Mr.. Wilson's regime be
avoided. Not in this way can the
idealist support of the academic issue
Of the league be anonymously united
to elements of unrest which threaten
socially, or. with labor men who would
rely on violence for the advance of
their cause.
Copyright, 1920. by The Public Ledger
Company.