Arizona republican., 1920-08-23
COX SLUSH FUND
 REPORTS UNTRUE AND RIDICULOUS HARDING STATES
Senator Harding Welcomes Investigation of Contribu- tions; Says Finances Are Short of Expenses
rRepubIIcan A. p. Leased wlrel

MARION, Ohio, Aug. Ex-Governor Cox's charge of a Republican cam paign fund of s15, ,o00.o0o was charac- terized by Senator Harding today as absolutely untrue" and perfectly ridiculous"
 Declaring he seconded cordially the challenge of Republican National Chairman Hays to the Democratic nominee to produce evidence of ex- cessive Republican contributions, MT. Harding said he was not fearful Of the results of any investigation of the party treasury.
 We court the fullest investigation of our funds, in every respect" he said. Not only are the statements of un- necessary expenditures absolutely un- true, but as a matter of fact we are we legitimately need to conduct the campaign as it should be conducted. Stories of s15,000,000 fund are per fectly ridiculous"
 Senator Harding added that the wave of advancing costs and the en- franchisement of women had raised the legitimate financial requirements of a national campaign, but he declared his party's money chest contained 'noth- ing like" the total named by his Democratic opponent. Asked wheth- CT any of the money raised by the na- L1Olidt COnullLJ6e DeIOTE tll6 AA1CdSO convention would be used in the cam paign,- he said it all had been expended by convention time and that in making its arrangements at Chicago, the par ty treasury had been compelled to borrow something like a quarter of a
 million dollars"
 The senator's attention was called to Governor Cox'S charges that the $1 900 limit fixed by the Republican managers had been evaded by dunn my" contributions. He again declared he would welcome any proof of the assertion and when he was asked whether the party would return money found to have been given through dummy" contributors, he replied: T think that is a rather farfetched hypothesis.'
 Tn discussing carrying the cam paign to the newly enfranchised worn- en, the senator said his party would not change it's campaign machinery materially on that account Person ally, he said, he expected to make mo particular appeal for the votes of the women."
 sT do not believe" said Senator Harding, "in making a distinction by appealing to either sex or to any class as such. My campaign will be direct l ed to the citizenry of the United States and I take the view that women come into that citizenry on the same basis as men"
 The nominee declared he did not ex- pect enfranchisement of women to change the political complexion of | any state"
 Senator Harding did not say l whether he would make a more for
 nal reply to the charges. He suggest l ed, however that he considered the next move should come from Governor Cox in reply to the challenge for proof of his assertions.
 The first of the senator's speeches this week will be delivered Tuesday | to group of prominent theatrical
 folk representing the Harding and | Coolidge Theatrical league. Senator
 Harding is expected to recount a one night theatrical experience of his owr
 when as a boy he decided to be ar
 actor and joined g. troupe in little
 Ohio town just 24 hours before it sus-
 pended performances.