The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
By THOMAS R. MARSHALL
Former Vice President of tho United

fOrmer wee fTeSl0eHI Oi LILO OHiCeO
 States.
 I sometimes wonder whether an end ever will come to the incessant chatter about cam paign contributions. For years it's din has been in our ears. We have had investigations, long-drawn-out reports, legislation, criminal prosecutions, and we are now just where always we were Hands still go up in horror every little while, but campaigns go on very much the same. .-- ="
 My view on the subject of corrupt practices in elections is not unlike that of an old gen. tleman in our railroad car one cold morning several years ago. It was local accommoda- tion' train which stopped at every station. Each mile or two the brakeman would throw open the door wide, admitting rush of cold air, and let it stand open until the train started again, when he would close 1t with a bang. The old gentleman to whom refer finally could not restrain his anger. He wore a big fur overcoat, which he would have to throw back when the door was closed and draw about his shoulders when the cold air struck him. After the eighth or tenth stop, he roared at the brakeman Keep door shut or keep it open; don't care which
 It would be well, it seems to me, for us either to put stop to so-calied corrupt prac- tices in our elections or close our mouths to the subject If they are as bad as periodically we are told they are, they should be stopped at once, stopped altogether, never again countenanced Yet the attempts at regula- tion have been rather weak, if not lnslncere. A general unwillingness to adopt drastic measures has prevailed.
 While I cannot say that I am enamored of present political methods, yet l cannot say that believe them any worse, if as bad, as in the past. In fact, I doubt whether AI- -f s- oInr1 Ic a c tive as it was 20, 30 or 40 years ago, not withstanding the greater sums now collected and spent. Personally, would like to see all contributions prohibited by law and a campaign conducted without any expenditure of money. am inclined to believe that the people would perhaps take more interest Ill it than they do under our present spending system. Most of the money raised by poilt- ical party is used for publicity purposes, when as a matter of fact the usual and reg ular press channels and news agencies are quite sufficient to inform the public of the character and qualifications of candidates and to keep it informed as to what the candidates are saying and doing. The money spent on publicity and propaganda is largely wasted. However, its use is not corrupt.
 A new item of political expense was noted in the recent campaign-candy. l saw It hauled in trucks to political headquarters. was told it was intended to sweeten the tongues and tempers of women voters. My mind went back 40 years when deacons of the Presbyterian church stood all election day in whisky fumes filling pint bottles to be passed out to party workers who had worn themselves out in their efforts to preserve constitutional government in America. From whisky to candy at least represents slight improvement.
 The everlasting noise about campaign con tributions leads a person to wonder whether the noisemakers really themselves believe that any considerable number of citizens are Will