Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-22
BOX TELLS SENATE
PROBE COMMITTEE
IDEA Of PRIZE PLAN
Declares Contest Independ-
ent Move and Not Po-
IiticaI Maneuver in Cam
paign for League Of Nations

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-A SEN
ate committee for two hours today
exchanged views on international
peace with Edward w. Box, donor
of the 100000 prize contest which
was won by plan proposing Amer
lean cooperation with the League
of Nations.
Senator Moses, Republican, of
New Hampshire, and Reed, Demo
crat, Missouri, both irreconcilables
in the Versailles treaty fight, led
in the questioning, and, as the hear
ing progressed, Mr.. Box himself
showed a disposition to turn in.
quisitor. Some of the queries put to
him went unanswered, as did some
of those he fired at committee mem
bers.
The witness declared every cent
of the expense of the contest had
been betrayed by him personally.
but when he was pressed to name
the total amount expended he re-
peatedly told the committee he re-
garded that as his own affair.
To Take Stand Again
Mr.. Box again will take the stand
when the hearing is resumed to-
morrow.
Mr.. Box told the committee that
he personally selected Elihu Root to
serve on the jury which made the
award.
Il did not give my approval to
the other members" Mr.. Box said
in reply to questions by Chairman
Moses. Il was not asked to approve
them"
The witness said that "co-opera-
tive agencies had sent in the names
of several hundred persons as eligi-
BILE to act as jurors.
Mr.. Box said he did not know the
name Of the winner of his award.
do you know his characters.
tics?" asked Chairman Moses.
NO" said tn witness.
Couldn't you describe him in gem
eral terms?" the chairman pursued
amid laughter from the crowd which
packed the hearing room.
NO"
Answers Declined
Asked how much money was in the
trust fund which he created to de.
fray expenses Of the award the wit.
ness replied:
II prefer not to discuss that"
''You are familiar with the stat
utes?" asked the chairman.
"No, am not"
Senator Moses, then said it was his
duty under the statutes to inquire
whether an answer would tend to
degrade you"
II decline to go into that" was
the response.
Senator Reed. Democrat, Miss
souri, later pressed the same ques'
ton and Mr.. Box then said he did
not think it would degrade me-"
He added that he regarded the
amount of money in the trust fund
as solely his own business.
Senator Greene asked if there
might not be circumstances under
which such a fund would prove
something of moral menace"
mo, not if rightly administered,
was the reply.
Mr.. Box said he hoped to affect
public opinion by his award, but
declared he never had seen any
literature issued by those in charge
of the award urging persons to write
to their senator's and representatives
in support of the prize peace PLAN
you probably are the only man
in the United States who hasn't seen
it," said Senator Reed
Answers Are Declined
Senator Caraway, Democrat, Ar
kansas, later led the witness back
to the question of the amount of the
trust fund created by him with the
Girard Trust Company of Philadel.
phia, but Mr.. Box again refused to
state it.
Il don't see that the amount has
any interest further than to satisfy
curiosity. It's purely a personal
natter
Don't you think you have hurt
your award by declining to say how
much you have expended?' asked
Senator Caraway.
Il do not" replied Mr.. Box.
Il trust the American people, and
believe they trust me, and are not
interested in what I have spent
Applause which greeted this state
ment drew warning from Chair
man Moses against further demon
strationS.
Il don't think the American peo-
pie are as much interested in what
l have spent as the committee is,
added the witness.
Senator Greene asked Mr.. Box if
he did not consider the law requir-
ing publication of campaign expenses
good for the public.
I'm not a candidate for Office
said tho witness.
when mans a candidate to reg
ulate the whole government. he does
not need TO be a candidate for Office
the senator returned.