Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-27
HOOVER ACCOUNTS
OPEN TO PUBLIC
NJ
Candidate Personally Demanded
Limit to Contributions, Says
Charles J. Hepburn
BOOM WAS SPONTANEOUS
BY GEORGE NOX MCCAIN

The Senate investigation in progress
i IN Washington as to the expenditures of
presidential candidates has Developed
} some unusually interesting facts.
None. ! think. is more interesting
than those concerning the Hoover cam
paign.
Charles J. Hepburn. of this city, who
u one Of tho Hoover managers dis
closed some striking things in an inter
view today along this line.
Mr.. Hepburn was one of the two
Hoover managers called TO testify be
fore the Senate committee He gave q
very clear statement as to the "ond
tion of the Hoover finances. the amount
expended and the amount received.
when Herbert Hoover declared some
weeks ago that he had neither cam
paign nor fund. he was absolutely
right" said Mr.. Hepburn. His ex-
preston was n square out and out Ut
terance to be taken at its real value.
Movement Spontaneous One
"Thp origin of the Hoover movement
last March was spontaneous. The in
side facts Of its birth and progress have
never been told All over tho country
there were people Interested in having
him become a candidate. Many Of
them were acquainted with one another
Some of them had been associated with
him in food administration work
"a meeting Of these mon represent
Ing over half the states was held In
New York. They werc not politicians.
They were not representatives of so
ply active. intelligent. far. seeing Amer.
leans. They organized committee to
advance Mr.. HOovcr's interests. and
then 'hev called and acquainted him
with their purpose. They voluntarily
agreed to look after his camuaign.
"They were TO be the channel through
which the Hoover sentiment of the
country was TO be directed and through
which information was to be dissent
mated through the United States.
Hoover Refused to Participate
''Mr. Hoover fatty refused TO have
anything TO do with the movement. He
told his friends that he did not propose
to make a campaign and besides he had
no funds for such a purpose
This was characteristic Of Herbert
Hoover. as these men we'll knew. Their
reply was that they had determined
70 carry out the:r purpose. attend to the
financial end of the work. aud nut the
campaign on It's rect.
sit. was then that Mr.. Hoover de-
clared himself finally on the subject
He said:
IF you have determined on your
purpose | must insist that there be
distinct understanding that every cent
shall be spent lCgitimately and an ar-
counting kent Of every dollar received
or disbursed
No contributions in excess Of $1,000
shall be received from any person. aud
not penny from any corporation
1T was with this understanding that
the committee began it's work and one
or the outstanding features since has
heen the systematic manner in which
they have observed his injunction. Every
penny has been accounted for up to
date. y
Accounts Open to Public
Mr.. Hepburn then explained the sys-
tenn on which every Hoover committee
in the country operates.
A certified public accountant has
charge. of the books. They are audited
once a week, and report of this audit
IL at once forwarded 10 committee
headquarters in New York.
The books are open to the public. II
is Hoover's idea. II is an indication Of
the business thoroughuesS of the man.
the outstanding feature of which is his
disposition to deal frankly and openly
with matters that are essentially public
When Mr.. Hepburn appeared before
the Senate committee on Tuesday he
had the financial data at his fingers
ends. The accounts Of thc general com
mittee had been brought down to the
day before. All receipts and expenditures
were accounted for.
frh,,,,,u,, inI AIr
Hepburn and Captain l.u"ey 70 Wash
ington. His assistant carried with him
ali the account books and vouchers
which were ready 10 be turned loose On
the Senate committee at their request.
The entire campaign Of Herbert
Hoover has been conducted upon uniUu"
lines of which rhr accounting system is
but one feature.
Publicity Chief Expense
1t is noteworthy thar the largest item
of expense since tle Hoover campaign
committee was organized in March has
been $50 600 for printing and mailing
circulars. and the preparation Of copy
for the same
The telephone and tclNgrnph service
comes next in point Of cost incurred by
the committee. The ircm for this in
the past ten weeks is in excess Of S6IuO.
Considering the territory covered.
which includes the entire country. only
$4,000 has been expended for travelling
purposes. 1t j. porhap, tho lowest Of
any campaign committee = item for that
purpose.
The reason !, thar very considerable"
number Of Mr., Hoover'> friends travel
at their own expense. Particularly is
this true of the eastern and Middle West
supporters Of the candidate. They
rarely render bills for this Servicr.
The headquarters Of the Hoover cam
paign committee will b" AT Congress
Hotel at Chicago. Four rooms have
been engaged aud a committee on rr-
ception representing all sections viii be
in charge.
DENIES RIGHTS TO BUS LINE
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