Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-10
For President
CALVIN COOLIDGE
Fer Vice President
CHARLES G. DAWES
Nsthins 10 seed sinsIy without Ne
ssmplemsrt and ito eontrary.-Am'sI.
CHARGE NOT HONESTLY MADE

CHARGE NOT HONESTLY MADE
The publicity bureau Of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor. announcing
that victory for the A. F. OF L. nom
partisan political campaign 10 assur-
ID" 10 requesting 10000 organizations
Of labor to come to the aid Of LaFai-
lstts and wheeler. 40 make a. gen
srous contributions rs possible dur
Ing the drst three weeks Of October"
II this isn't q plea for certain can
didates, who in return for support
are expected to give to labor organ
tzations some special privilege. what
IL k7 ...
Is the money so raised "a slush
fund? How may the dollars spent
for special privilege. for the suppos-
ed interests Of any one group. be
proper. In one instance and improper
In another?
Was LaFollette's accusation charg-
ing the Republicans with raising a
"slush fund" based on his belief or on
expediency? Would such a charge
not be timely in influencing members
of the labor unions to contribute from
their earnings to the candidacy Of
the pompadour'ans?
1t doesn't require any super-intelli-
xence to comprehend the need OF
large sums OF money in political
campaign under existing conditions
Any one OF the millions Of recipients
OF campaign literature should be
aware that this spreading Of propa-
ganda Is an expensive undertaking.
whether this be done by Republicans.
by Democrats or by the followers OF
LaFollette. Both Republican and
Democratic managers report shortage
Of necessary funds. ... s.-- l,a...
Under such conditions Is IT. unrea :
sonable' to suppose LaFollette's
charge was not honestly made?
In view OF all the conditions. Chair
man Butler vas warranted in say
ing:
"As chairman Of the national COM
mittee. Will say for my part the
whole story Is bunk. A pol!tica! cam
paign costs money. Office rent for
headquarters. wages for the employ
es, postal. telegraph. travellers charg
cs. the printing OF hooks pamphlets
circulars and Autographs must be
met with real cash. Even the modest
campaign button when used by the
millions involves a real money total
MONEY for these purposes Is to
he had only by solicitation. We have
raised all we have spent so far In
this manner and have a little left
over. From the opening day Of this
campaign through a firm Of charter
ed accountants we have carried on
an expert daily record Of our receipts
and expenditures in all our headquar-
tiers.
I'VE started our campaign on
budget. at the request OF the Presi-
dent. and we have also borne dis
tinctly in mind the charge he laid
upon us in his speech of acceptance.
that the campaign must be conducted
without a deficit His wishes are
being obeyed to the letter.
I'VE. are pledged against a deficit
and We will not have one. Contribu.
tions are not only proper but COM
mendable and necessary. This Is not
merely partisan. 1t Is patriotic
opportunity which Is being offered"
In view of all the conditions It
would seem the public will be war;
ranted in believing Chairman But
Ter. They also entertain a mild curl
osity respecting the answer to Chair
man Buffers inquiry: "as to what
Is the total OF the money he (LaFoi-
lette) has so far received from the
Democratic leaders who are engaged
In this conspiracy to throw the cleo
ton into the House