The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-03
PATRIOTIC DUTY
NOW DEFENSE OF
Sen. NEWBERRY
Came Out Against Ford Only
After Repeated Requests.
Money Spent Was Fiven to Pre-
vent German Peace.
NOT ONE CENT WAS HIS OWN
Perfect Organization Formed to
Beat Noted Pacifist.
Necessary to Beat Best Adver-
tised Man In America.
NOT ONE CENT WAS HIS OWN
Necessary to Beat Best Adyer.
tised Man In America.

Grand Rapids. Mich, Feb. 3.-"Pa-
triotic duty was Senator Truman H.
Newberry's answer today to charges
that he was elected to the senatorship
in barrel campaign" Newberrys
opponent in 1918 was Henry Ford.
Ford did not represent the type of
American needed to represent his state
at that critical time" James o. MUIR
fin, attorney for the defense, asserted
in outlining his case.
Patriotic duty drove the 134 men
on trial here charged with frauds in
connection with that election to "do
everything possible" to elect New
berry, Murfin said.
"Many people remembered Ford's
campaign against preparedness. they
remembered his misguided efforts TO
bring about what now appears would
have been German peace; many peo-
pie were bitter over the fact that he
was not active in the war and that
none of his family became active in
the war"
Murfin's statement was in answer TO
claims made by Prosecutor Frank c.
Daley, who pictured a campaign
where enormous amounts of money
were used to purchase votes and buy
political support.
War at Fever Heat.
"In analyzing what these defendants
! did, the atmosphere under which they
did it must be considered" he said.
when Henry Ford announced his
candidacy on June IA. 1918, the fate
of the civilized world was hanging in
the balance. The last German drive
was at it's height; the advanced
armies were within thirty miles OF
Paris and the channel ports we're
| threatened
| American patriotism was at its very
i crest. Murfin declared
Murfin declared Newberry had an
Honorable record" in the Spanish.
of the, navy under that militant
4 American" Theodore Roosevelt. He
| told how Newberry volunteered his
services within forty-eight hours
after our country was threatened" in
| 1917.
1--WE will prove conclusiveiy that
what these men did was not for pay
but for patriotism" Murfin declared.
] "They were not actuated by avarice
| but by America nism."
Murfin said Newberry was asked to
become a candidate by a group or
Representative citizens" who con-
ferred in Detroit as early as August,
l1917.
Newberry Refused Mt First.
AT first Newberry refused" Muir
fin said, "but in December and Janu-
larry the Newberry movement in Michi-
momentum until finally the com
mander seriously set about to inquire
whether or not it was his duty to
make the race"
Murfin said that when Newberry
FINALLY consented to the use of his
name. he stipulated he could not leave
his duties as aide to the commander
of the port of New York; that he
could not be active and that he could
lnot contribute one dollar to this move
ment.
This determination was reIigiously
adhered to by him from beginning to
end" Murfin said. land the proof viii
positively show you that not one dol
lar of his money was handled by any
one"
The attorney declared the Newberry
Organization which was built UP was
| "undoubtedly the most perfect po-
litical organization ever put together"
Every township, hamlet and city
in the state was organized" he said.
'"The@ commander was running
against the best advertised man in
/ America. It was necessary that his
qualifications be given the widest pub
licity.
"A great advertising campaign was
organized in charge OF the most skill
full publicity men who could be found
who did their work thoroiy, well
and with absolute honesty"
! Murfin then told the jury, in great
! detail. the connection which many Of
the defendants had with the Newberry
Icampaign.
| Prosecutor Frank c. Daley, contfn-
uing his outline of the governments
case against Newberry and 134 pohti-
cal aides charged with vote frauds.
contented himself with general terms
| Dailey's address. describing the all
legged money method used by New
4 berry IN defeating Henry Ford for the
senatorship, alluded to great sums" "
"unlimited amounts" enormous
sconfinued on Page Two.I