The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-04-24
WASHINGTON LETTER
BY WILLIAM l. DALEY
Special Correspondent Sank Centre Herald
Copyright 1928 by National Association

i Special Corresponder
& Copyright 1928 by Natl,
s***********&*.**.*******s
Will be an unusual Presidential cam
paign. Large contributions will be
scarce. Radio to supplant Spell
binders" Business holding up
Well. Farmers Legislation.
Washington, April 23-One of the
outstanding developments of the
series Of congressional Investigations
is the tendency to depart from old
time political campaign methods. 1t
is certain that there will be less money
available for campaign expenditures
and the radio will to large extent,
replace the multitude of "spellbind-
ers" who are usually identified with
the exploitation of various candida
cies. 1t is equally plain that person
alities will contribute more to the
rise and fall of political parties than
their respective platforms.
Considered from non-partisan
viewpoint, the domestic issues will be
fought out in the usual praise and
blame spirit. Those in charge of Mr..
Coolidge's campaign are convinced
that sufficient delegates have been
pledged to assure his nomination on
the first ballot. Therefore, they are
turning their attention to the sug-
gested planks for party platform at
Cleveland. The Democratic leaders
say that there is a possibility of a
II or fHoIx xxyhs oL
can only be broken through the selec-
ton of clark horse" as the stand
ardbearer.
#
The recent disclosures as to the
contributions of individuals and or
CARNATIONS to the campaign funds of
both parties, it is said, will exercise a
salutary effect. Senator Walsh, Dem
now pending in the Senate Judiciary
committee and Senator Mcclellan, also
Democrat, of Tennessee, has present
ed bill to limit campaign contri-
buttons through the imposition of
heavy penalties. His bill restricts in
dividual contributions in national
campaigns to $500 for Presidential
electors, or 500 in the election of
members Of Congress. Furthermore,
the Mcclellan bill provides that con-
tributions shall be limited to one po-
litical party and one candidate. Re-
CARELESS Of the ultimate fate Of these
drastic political reform measures, it
is obvious that money will be tight in
the forthcoming campaign. Staunch
partisans who have heretofore made
lavish gifts to the party exchequer
will use discretion in distributing
their money as they are faced with
the possibility of Senate investi-
cation as to their motives, whether
purely altruistic or selfish. The can
didates, particularly Mr.. Coolidge, if
he is nominee, will turn to the radio
as the means of communication with
the voters of the country.
a.
The legislative body is deeply con-
cerned as to the attitude of the Pres
ident on the Bonus bill and tax revi-
son. The former has been given pre-
ference on the Senate calender and
its passage is predicted by members
of the Senate committee on Finance.
The Bonus bill is closely identified
with the tax measure as there is a
question of providing revenue for
compensation and insurance. The
immigration bill with the Japanese
exclusion feature presents another
grave problem to the Chief Executive,
as it is an international problem of
importance.
Among the signs of changing
times is the recognition that "presi-
dental years" have nothing do
with slumps in employment and in
business. Two members of the Cabi-
net, Secretary of the Treasury Mel
Ion, and Secretary of Commerce
Hoover, both recognized authorities
on financial economics, claim that
business continues at even keel. They
have been unable to note any serious
effects of political turmoil in Ameri-
can business. Secretary Mellon
claims that slight slumps in industrial
activity, which occur at regular in
tervals in all years, are unduly
stressed during campaign periods. In
a recent talk with correspondents he
recalled the Garfield campaign, many
years ago, and pointed out that at the
outset of the campaign coke sold for
go cents ton and the price advanced
to $500 at the close of the Presi-
dental elections.
Secretary Hoover is of the opinion
that there has been a slackening up
in steel, coal and textiles. He feels,
however, that there has been no spec
ulation and that there were no stocks
on hand which would indicate hoist
ing of prices by artificial means. The
Cabinet officers have stated that peo-
pie are cautious in buying and that
credit is good with no change in
present discount rates. In other
words, business is good" e
Z The time of the House Interstate
Commerce committee has been taken
up with consideration of several bills
dealing with misbranding Of merchan-
disc. The socalled French t'truth-in-
fabric" bill, and the Reece shoe tag
measure were the principal bills be-
fore the committee. It is doubtful if
legislation of this kind will be enacted
at this session. Considerable oppose
ton has developed among the com
mittee members based on the belief
that enormous expenditures would be
required to enforce misbranding leg
islation and that relatively few prose-
.cutiOnS could be effected.