New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-22
National Chairman Denies
Attempt to ssBuy the
Presidency in Open.
ing Maine Campaign
$3,0OO,000 Set as
Needs of Party
If Republicans Require
More They Will Ask for
1t Publicly, He Says

AUGUSTA, Me-. Aug. 21-Will H
Hays, chairman of the Republican Ma.
t'onal Committee, to-day opened his
party's campaign in this state for cleo
ton of members Of Congress with q
speech at Island Rock Park, near here
in which he asserted that Governor Co,
was dominated by President Wilson anc
four unnamed bosses.
Mr.. Hays devoted much Of his speech
to campaign funds, denying vigorously
that the Republican party planned tc
expend excessive sums to elect Senator
Harding and Governor Coolidge.
Also denying that millions had gone
into the Republican treasury" from
certain interests banded together tc
buy the Presidency"-a statement
which he credited to Governor Cox
Mr.. Hays declared that this amounted
to a charge of conspiracy to betray
the country.
Referring to the Republican plan tc
limit individual campaign contributions
to 81 900, Mr.. Hays said:
eff this. attempt should fail to pro.
duce the requisite sums we shall sc
state publicly, increase the maximum
and seek additional contributions"
Need Set at 100000
Declaring that the party needed
about S3,000,00O, Mr. Hays said that nc
criticism of the Democrats for seek
ing the largest obtainable contributions
would be offered "Nor shall we, in
rescntful emulation of the positive
charges Of the Democratic candidates
SO much as intimate that their respons-
lble officers will use any part of their
fund corruptly,' he said. Frankly and
squarely, as between mutual respecting
citizens, we don't believe they will, OF
would ii they could"
After announcing that the Republi-
car party had probably never before
enjoyed such complete unanimity of &C
celtance and approval after a Preai-
Dental nomination, Mr.. Hays accused
the Democrats of INDIGESTION in Sc
lecting an issue about which to rally.
Mr.. Hays said in part:
"Probably never before in the his
tory of our party has the natural strife
over nominations been followed by so
complete unanimity of acceptance and
approval. 1t is part of my business
to detect and heed signs Of disaffection,
and tell you honestly that have
individuals. The bringing of that
splendidly encouraging message con-
stitutes the chief reason for my being
with you to-day.
II addressed few heartening words
to the delegates in Chicago as your
party chairman merely to open the
convention.' 1t is in the same capacity
that | now speak to you, on behalf
of our resolute and perfected organiza-
titn, to open the campaign.
II shall say little of the issues in
volved. 1t is not necessary. They are
being unfolded and made sclear daily
with Incompatible lucidity, directness
and frankness by your candidates. 1t
sutfices for me to invite your attention
to one point of peculiar significance.
We have shown full readiness to meet
our adversaries upon any battlefield
they might choose.
Every Challenge Accepted
when they concentrated upon the
league covenant without the dotting of
an Il or the crossing of It. we met
them squarely.
when, through their national chair
man, fresh from q conference with
their candidate, they pronounced the
covenant only secondary issue after
all, we acquiesced. When the candi-
dates reversed their national chairman
and declared the Wilson league the
sole issue, we accepted most readily.
where next they will land is wholly
conjectural. They may conclude to
stake their all upon weighing of the
relative merits of the respective candi-
dates.
"They may prefer to contrast recent
Republican Cabinets with that which
now maintains a hayward and hardly
recognizable existence.
"They may wish to stand upon the
Continued on page three)