The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-10
INQUIRY INTO PARTY FINANCING.

upon Republican campaign methods in his demand for an investigation by the Borah senate committee into the source of Republican campaign funds and the propaganda by means of which such funds are solicited. Although MT. Borah l is nominally Republican, there is wide spread belief in his bipartisan integrity. His party allegiance is not so strong as l to cause him to seek to shield improper campaign methods on the part of Repub- lican managers It is doubtful if more impartial Republican of prominence could have been selected for this committee Workmanship, for his hatred of dishonesty is we'll known and taken widely as genuine. .--t
 Mir. La Follette's direct reference is to MT. c. Bascom Slemp, ostensibly secre- tary to the, president, but in reality the campaign stfategist of Coolidge the cam didate. Mir. ..,1Slemp's public record is not one to win him the confidence of the people as to the propriety of his methods.
 
 "Boys, get the money" but he will be no less insistent that the money be forth coming in abundant quantity. It is not believed that he will be too careful how the money is obtained, nor from what source it comes, nor what political bar gain>is made, to get it. On the contrary, there is grave suspicion that he will fol- low the usual Republican practice of go- ing to those of great wealth and promis- ing them special privileges of govern ment in return for and in proportion to their liberality.
 Doubtless nobody is more informed as financing than MT. Borah, nor is any one less apt to be bluffed out of dis covering the facts, or into accepting Re- publican representations at face value. Because of his conviction that his party was not without blame in this regard, Mir. Borah. sponsored the measure under which his committee nqw operates He lis therefore under the, additional urge of discovering some substantial basis for his allegations in the senate debate. If the facts appear to warrant, he will probably require no urging to undertake the inquiry demanded by MT. La Fol lette.
 If the improper grip of big business upon Republican administrations IS |
 shaken loose. it must be through break ing up the practice of financing Repub- lican campaigns by means of bargains with such interests. Big business is not to be condemned because it is big, nor does all big business come under public suspicion. It is only in respect to the effort of predatory interests to exert an improper influence upon government for ths private benefit and at an unjust ex- pense to the public that there is public concern. It is, just as important for the right elements in the Republican party to clear their party of such barnacles ss privilege and special favors promised ir advance, as it is for the rest of the country to rid itself of the injurious eff l1ecCS or Sucn pracClce.
 There is one telling counter blow that the rank and file of the people may strike at this policy of trading govern mental bonuses for campaign contrfbu tions and influence. It is for the ranl : and file to contribute to the campaign funds and to bear the expense of oul quadrennial change of presidents. Int } Democratic leaders might easily tradt with big business in order to come intC power. But the Democratic leaders have chosen the more honorable course O , asking the loyal membership of the Demo cratic party, throughout the length ant breadth of the land, to give their modes 2 donations to their cause. The burdel upon no firm or individual will be great ] but the total will be an imposing sum T There will be no strings tied to thes D contributions, except that they morall, n bind the Democratic ticket, if successful ]. to give the people good and honest gov ernment.
 No candidate would bind himself il
 advance to grant special privileges 0
 governmental favors when he has no n had to,depend for his campaign expense Il upon those expecting such return. Tn g Republican administration has been yer e costly to the American home and tn > American wage-earner, who have had t l. pay for special privileges granted favor'e e interests. It is time that the peopl e themselves assumed this expense burde l. and demanded the full benefits of gov # ernment, in return.
 1t MAKE ALABAMA KNOWN. Q rho ,ox,t v,os+ ;ronn,.sapt cons;deratio