The New York herald., 1922-08-11
SENATE TEST TO-DAY
ON CAMPAIGN FUNDS
Spencer Finally Calls Com
mittee as Public Pressure
for Action Is Felt.
B0RAH AWAITS OUTCOME
Will Demand Limitation Bill
Anyhow-Walsh of Mon
tana Joins Revolt.
BORAH AWAITS OUTCOME
'peciar Dispatch to Tnn New York HERALD.

Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Aug. 10.
The Spencer Subcommittee OF the
Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections yielded to-day to tho pressure
for action to prevent a campaign fund
scandal due to the invalidation OF the
Federal law limiting campaign expen-
ditures by candidates for the Senate.
Senator Spencer (Rep.. Mo- called a
meeting for Tomorrow of the sub-com-
mittee of which he is chairman.
All bills and resolutions which aim
to remedy the situation precipitated by
the Supreme Court decision in the New
berry case have been referred TO this
subcommittee. No explanation was
given as to the object OF the meeting
OF the committee except that it would
undertake Ito act on the measures be-
fore it, 1t is understood that Senator
Spencer contemplates leaving Washing
ton some time this week, and the Sem
ators who are in revolt against the
previous do-nothing policy of the sub
committee say they have little hope that
definite results will be accomplished
They are pleased, however, that the
committee has been called together, for
It will leave the way open to action by
individual Senator's on the floor OF the
Senate.
Need Unanimous Consent.
Senator Pomerene (Dem.. Oho) has
been planning from day to day to ask
unanimous consent for consideration OF
a new rule by the Senate to limit cam
paign expenditures TO S7,500 Senator
Borah (Rep.. Idaho) Is contemplating
the introduction of concurrent reso-
luton In the House and Senate limiting
campaign expenditures to a sum TO be
named. Both resolutions are predi-
Gated upon the right OF the Senate and
House to judge the qualifications OF
their own members. Senator Pomerene
also has bill before the Spencer SUBJ
committee which in his judgment would
remedy the situation brought about by
the Supreme Court decision.
The revolving Senators are doubtful
part of the majority of the Senate to
pass remedial legislation or to adopt
governing rules at this time. They pro-
pose to test the matter out
Senator Borah has explained that h,
Is awaiting action by the Spencer sub
committee before pressing his resolu-
tion for consideration. He and Senator
Pomerene regard the meeting tomorrow
as test OF whether any hope may be
placed in It's action.
Even IL the subcommittee acts favor
ably on any of the bills before II the
Senate as whole must determine
whether any action will be taken The
rules concerning the tariff debate will
the question OF election expenditures.
Il. J. Walsh Joins Revolt.
The revolving Senators remain hope
full that an aroused public sentiment
will compel action by the Senate despite
efforts that may be made to hold the
Senate to the tariff debate regardless OF
the campaign fund situation.
Action by Chairman Spencer of the
subcommittee In calling a meeting is
regarded as hopeful sign indicative
of the fact that the pressure OF public
sentiment IS becoming too strong to ig-
more. The same incentive to action
which has forced the hand of the SUBJ
committee will, 1t is hoped, induce favor
able consideration by the Senate as a
whole.
Senator Walsh (Dcm.. Mont) Is one
OF the Senator's Who has Joined the re-
voting group and has appealed to SEN
ator Spencer for committee action.
Senators Boratl. Pomerene. Ashurst
Walsh and others who desire action will
continue to press for II regardless OF
what may be done by the committee to.
morrow. They arc arguing that politl-
cal decency demands that law limiting
expenditures be passed.