New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
1t Is a Paradox Of
Politics That He Who
Wins In N Que m Der
Concludes at Christ
mas That He Lost

ton to such worthy cause. So Mr.. Doe,
with sigh, will draw his checkbook toward
him, note that his bank balance is $11313 and
hand the relief committee his order for 800.
'sThey've certainly relieved me, anyway" he
makes bold to mutter, as the charitable gentle
men depart.
The trustees of the local hospital are never
backward in coming forward for a donation
toward last years expenses or the building
fund for new wing. If drive" for money
is in progress, Mr.. Doe will learn that his
financial rating has been carefully studied b.
the directors and his pledge card has been
neatly filled out before it is presented to him
for his signature. He will discover that pro
tests are in vain.
why my dear sirs, I can't afford to give
$3.50, much as / would like to- Mr. Doe may
murmur.
Hal ha! ha." the solicitors laugh at his
supposed jest. "You, with your soft city job
at $4,000 a year, cannot afford mere $3.50
contribution? We know you only joking
That's the trouble with elective Offices.
Everybody knows just how much the holder re-
ceives, but few realize the demands made
upon him for expenditures. If Mr.. Doe takes
firm stand and refuses to give more than $50,
or even 500, he might just well refuse
any donation, for his reputation for penuri-
BUSINESS will be firmly established and given
inconveniently wide circulation if he reduces
by so much as So the amount which the com
mittee has decided he should give-and such u
reputation is perilous to politician.
The greatest single item Of expense may
prove to be the support of his district political
club. If Mr.. Doe is really power in his
district, he will undoubtedly be the Assembly
district leader. Every Assembly district must
have political club in order to hold the
ganization together. Dues can be exacted
from each member in amount sufficient to
support the club. But usually it isn't done.
Dues are collected from all otficeholders, but
the other members, who are looked to merely
for thei. vote on Election Day, rarely receive
bills and the leader must pay the deficit.
This includes not only the rent Of the club
house and other overhead expenses, but he
may also be called upon to defray the
penses of the various functions given by the
organization.
Once year there is ball and annually
there is a dinner in somebody's honor-Mr
Does own, it may be. Most of the member
can be induced to purchase tickets to balls
and dinners, and every city employe in the
district be compelled to do so and usually
is. Nevertheless, there frequently is deficit,
ranging from a few dollars to several hun
dreds, and that comes out of Mr.. Does pocket
'It is very nice to have a dinner given in
your honor and to be presented smoking
set or a gold watch and to hear yourself
extolled to the skies, but do hate to pay the
bills" an office-holder confided to me-
Constituents who find themselves near the
City Hall drop in daily to shake hands with
Mr.. Doe, even though they have seen him 10
later than the night before. The most popu-
lar calling hour is shortly before 12. They
say they have come ''just to shake hands" but
they remain to talk and get free lunch
There three courses open to Mr.. Doe. He
may acquire the habit of eliminating the mid
day meal Or he may tell his caller, gently
but firmly, that he has a luncheon engage
rnent with the Mayor, and must leave at once.
Or he may captulate and extend the desired
invitation to share his humble repast.
But then it mustn't be humble, at least so
far his guest or guests arc concerned. No
matter how little Mr.. Doe may eat, his self
invited companions will neither be on diet
suffering from loss of appetite. Neither
will it be considered proper to take them to
a cheap eating place. Mr.. Doe may be per-
fectly satisfied, when alone, to order glass
of milk and some crackers at Hash House
Johns" but it would be impoltic to permit Z
constituent to know this. The best is none
too good for them, in their own opinion, so Mr.
Does ideas must coincide. He is expected to
lead the way into the most expensive restau-
rant within walking distance, call the head
waiter by his first name and seat his guest
at the best table
hungry constituent can easily consume
So worth Of food, so this expense to the office
holder may readily be calculated by multiply
ing the amount by the number in the party
and the number of working days in the year
for one or more drop in every day.
From the doleful picture of financial ruiy
which has been drawn, many may wonder hov
the officeholder manages to save out Of hi
salary anything at ali for his own expenditure
The opinion of numerous officials is that abou
half can be used for living expenses or any
thing else they please. 1t might be imagine'
that, were this to be known in advance, fewe
private citizens would run for Office. TIL
knowledge, however, would never deter them
the proof being the avidity with which official
who have been through the mill seek re-elec
ton. big source Of expense is this ver