Evening star., 1924-05-22
COOLIDGE CLUB FUNDS
UNDER SENATE FIRE
Walsh Demands Strengthening of
Massachusetts, Law as Lodge
Scores Move.
CURLEY PROTESTS METHODS
Correspondence of Boston Mayor
Presented With Resolution. "a

A heated debate over campaign con
trbutions, with the methods of a
Calvin Coolidge Club" in Massa-
chusetts as the particular target Of
attack, stirred the Senate late yester-
day afternoon. Senator Walsh Of
Massachusetts, Democrat, offered a res
olution asking action without delay by
nittee on an adequate corrupt prac-
tees bill.
In connection with the resolution he
presented correspondence from Mayor
Curley of Boston protesting against
methods which, it was alleged. have
been taken by a Republican Calvin
Coolidge Club in that state to rais,
campaign funds
Charges Personal Attack,
Resenting the language USED b.
Mayor Curley. Senator Lodge said the
letter consists chiefly of very violent
and personal attack upon the chairman
OF the Republican national committee
Mr. Butler, and on the President of the
United States, who are not involved at
All IN TINS movement to raise campaign
funds"
Asserting that the election laws of
Massachusetts were elaborate and
thorough, Senator Lodge stated that he
would like to see the laws of the United
States bearing on campaign con,rihiI
tons strengthened.
II think it ought to be done now.
while the elections are coming on.
he said, and the stronger We can
make the laws, the better. They can
not be made too strong from my point
of view"
There are now no corrupt practice
laws referring to the election of sen
ators, although such measures have
been pending before the Senate privi-
1eges and elections committee for (.
long time, Senator Walsh of Massa-
chusetts declared.
Urges Speedy Legislation.
Senator Spencer, Republican, Mis-
souri,. chairman Of the committee,
agreed with Senator Walsh that there
should be some legislation on the sub
ject speedily enacted.
Mayor CurleyS letter, Senator
Walsh asserted, disclosed d situation
which indicates that an effort was
being made to raise large sums of
money for campaign purposes. Mayor
Curley had advised him. he said, that
attempts are now being made to or
ganiZe all business interests in Mas
sachusetts to raise a very large came
paign fund. Mayor Curiey had as
serted, he added, that boot and shoe
manufacturers were particularly ac-
tive.
More than s5o0,o00 had been raised
in Massachusetts, for the election OF
President Harding, Senator Walsh stat
cd he had been advised. and he added
that il was predicted at least twice
that sum would be raised for the cleo
ton of President Coolidge. Should
the Massachusetts efforts spread, Sen
ator Walsh predicted that $50. 100000
or $4,000. 900 would be raised for the
Republican campaign fund through
the country.
Limited Contributions.
Under the laws of Massachusetts
contributions are limited to $1,000.
Senator Walsh asserted.
I'm the letter which is now being
circulated in the interest OF Prtsl-
dent Coolidge" he added. the state
ment is made that there is no limit
to the amount of the contributions
you can give the committee Large
will be so divided as 10
give full observance to the require
ments of the statute
Senator Robinson of Arkansas. the
Democratic Ieadar.. declared he could
see no reason why legislation could
not be passed at this time to cover
campaign contributions.
1t was evident 70 him, he ADDED,
that the purpose Of the Massachusetts,
committee was to divide the contri-
buttons into lawful fragments and
have them made in the name OF dif-
ferent individuals.
Such an inference may be drawn,
replied Senator Lodge.
Senator Lodge explained that the
work complained of was being done
by voluntary committee, which was
organizing 10 collect from every
trade line. Reading from the cir
cular letter sent by Mayor CurleN.
Senator Lodge stated that the pur-
pose of raising the fund was to help
pay the expenses OF holding the Ia
tional convention, to maintain Cool
idge headquarters, to bear part Of
the expenses of the Republican ma
tional committee and to maintain
the Massachusetts committee in
carrying on an active campaign for
the election of Republican candidates.
Senator Lodge eulogiZed Mr.. Butler,
declaring he was taking no more in
terest in politics than all men should.
He declared that MIR. Butler was "A
man of the highest character and per-
fectly incapable of doing anything
dishonest
FAVORS COLLEGE GURS