The Washington times., 1925-01-24
RYAN ASSOCIATE
REPLIES TO
REPORTS
Frank J. MerkIing Declares
Democrats Can Well Afford
Support From Financier
By WILLIAM HARD.

rank y. M0Fk1lnSp associate OL
Thomas Fortune Ryan, who in yes
terday's issue of this newspaper
was said to be welding large in
fluence in the affairs OF the Demo
cratic National Committee and who
also was said to have paid off some
$780, 900 of the committees cam
paign deficit through contributions
Of money from Ryan, Sources. to-
day issued statement commenting
upon allegations made by anti-Ryan
Democrats, to the effect that the
Democratic party management was
now controlled by Mr.. Ryan.
Mr.. Merkling does not deny that
the deficit has been reduced from
Ryan sources, as stated, nor does
he deny his own interest in the
affairs of the Democratic National
Committee. On the contrary, he
takes firm position in favor Of the
right of Mr.. Ryan to contribute to
the support Of the party of which
Mr.. Ryan is member, and he de.
tends the right Of any Democrat to
interest himself in the party's
activities. He also vigorously at
tacks the radical Democratic ele-
meI1t, which, in his opinion, has
gravely injured the Democratic
party.
Text of Statement.
He says:
THE report concerning myself
and the Democratic National Com
mittee would have no news value
II 1t related to me only; but the
use Of the name Of Thomas Fortune
Ryan makes it a story
$50 sfau 1nfinnoI, ,.%a ,,e.
in Washington is concerned, / have
no official connection with the
committee. / have been very glad
to assist in every way / could and
I have no doubt that Mr.. Shaver
the chairman, would be glad to
have the cooperation of every other
Democrat OF disinterested motives
including those who may be will
ing to contribute toward the deficit
I do not know that there has been
any rush in that direction.
II hope 1t is true that Mr.. Ryan
Is contributing literally to the
party. Certainly there will be no
great competition in that direction,
and I know of no one from whom
the Democratic party could better
afford to accept q donation, nor
one better Qualified to give it wlss
counsel.
Defends Ryan's Democracy.
There is no greater Democrat in
the country than Mr.. Ryan. He is
one Of the few real Democrats thai
/ know. No man living has done
more for the party in the last forty
years and yet for his services and
for his financial aid he has never
asked a thing in return.
1t is silly to think OF Mr.. Ryan
wishing to contrtd the Democratic
national committee, What would
he do with 1t after he got It?
"Wil these perennial agitators
never realize that the country is not
deeply interested in who controls
the Democratic organization? What
the people Of the country want to
know is what the Democratic party
stands for. In recent elections its
fundamental principles have been
obscure.
The Democratic party must win
back the confidence Of business and
Of other constructive elements. This
can be accomplished only by a re.
affirmation of the fundamental
principles of democracy and by
strict adherence to the same. The
United States Is a business country,
and no party that fails to give
legitimate business an opportunity
for healthy growth deserves or will
achieve success.
1.-THE pendulum, not only in this
country, but in elections throughout
the world has swung back to san
ity;. but it seems that the little
band of radicals who for years
have endeavored to build Mr.. Ryan
into an ogre are too self-righteouS
and stupid to learn from any cleo
ton.
Last Election Cited.
'1n the last election there was
nothing to indicate that any Of the
candidates were averse to receiving
contributions from those who are
reputed to have amassed fortunes,
such as Messrs. Stearns, Morrow,
Butler, Rawleigh, Spreckels, Frig-
ley, Baruch, Chadbourne and scores
of others.
,"Mr. Coolidge had the support,
it was understood, Of Mr.. Morgan
and Of most Of the other so-called
Wall street influences yet this did
not deter the people Of the country
from giving him more votes than
any other presidential candidate
ever received. Wealth honestly &C
duired is not dishonored, in this
country.
"If Mr.. Bryan could be induced
to do some Of the things now being
attributed to him, it would indeed
be a blessing to the Democratic
marty"