Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-07-03
Wheeler Admits League
Spent Seven Million
Continued From Page one)

We'll you can state your reasons
now" snapped Senator Reed, who was
the only member present at the mo-
ment.
wheeler insisted that he would like
to present the matter to the whole
committee, and after conference
with other members VINO were quickly
summoned the chairman ANNOUNCED
that decision would be deferred. Be-
sides the figures and receipts and ex-
penditures for the state leagues.
Wheeler presented a number of other
reports, including one from Andrew
Wilson, treasurer of the leagues. cam
paign committee.
The dry leader told the chairman
that the national organization had
spent no money in Pennsylvania dur
ing the recent $3,000,OO0 republican
primary contest because dry leaders
had been uunable to agree on cam
didate Yin the senatorial contest in
which Representative William S. Ware,
an avowed wet defeated Governor
PincNot and Senator Pepper, who were
counted on the dry side.
Wheeler denied that he had written
the celebrated Volstead act and picked
Volstead to champion the measure in
congress- He added that he had con-
suited with Volstead frequently about
the original enforcement bill, but as
serted that the drys had not gotten all
they wanted, as was evidenced by
corrective measures passed or pro-
-
81 law"
Declaring that the dry organization
was willing to quit the fight before
congress on the prohibition question
if the west would, Wheeler said that
''if we did not stay here the Volstead
act would be wiped out"
Switching the examination to tbs.
appointment of federal prohibition en-
forcement agents, Senator Reed want
ed to know what influence the Anti
Saloon league exerted in that direc-
ton. Wheeler conceded that the
league had made recomme endations for
appointments.
"You interfere with the appointment
of these men?" Reed asked.
1--WE interfere when we think theirs
is an effort to put across crooked
men, the dry leader retorted with q
show of fire.
Turning to the speakers paid by the
league, Senator Reed read into the
record a series of letters touching
upon the services of Representative
Upshaw, democrat, Georgia. These
showed that Upshaw sought SIS for
delivering speech at a field day
meeting here on December IA, 1924,
but that he finally consented to de-
liver the address for $25 plus 81 taxi
fare.
Chairman Reed made it matter of
record that Richmond Pearson Hob
son, a former member of the house
and hero of the Merrimac sinking at
Santiago during the Spanish war, re-
ceived total of $171,249 from the
Anti-Saloon league from 1914 to 1922,
and that the late William Jennings
Bryan was paid $1,000 for lecturing
for the league in 1919. Glenn l.. Sha-
yer of Fairmont, w. Va, chairman of
the democratic national committee,
was the first witness at the night
session. He testified that at the close
of the 1924 campaign his committee,
had a debt of more than 100000.
HAS that debt been lifted?" Chair
man Reed asked.
"About half of it," Shaver replied.
'In that case it's hardly necessary
to ask you whether your committee
has any money on hand for the COM
ing campaign" Reed said.
'If Missouri had not sent in $4,000
we would have no money for the COM
ing campaign, Shaver responded.
Shaver testified that his committee
had no budget and no plans for the
coming campaign.
1--WE are much obliged to you, Mr..
Shaver" Senator Reed said, "and we
are sorry that the democratic party is
so badly off"
Senator Butler of Massachusetts,.
chairman of the republican national
committee, told the investigators that
no budget had been prepared for the
coming senatorial campaign.
"There is a solicitation of funds, is
there not?' Senator Reed asked
"Yes, that is conducted by the treas
urer."
William B. Hodges of Denver, Colo,
is the treasurer, Senator Butler said.
He added that ne ana senator PnlppS
of Colorado, chairman of the senate
republican campaign committee, had
discussed the question of funds for
election this year"
The republican national committee
chairman told the Investigators that
it was estimated that about 100000
would be needed for both the senate
and house republican campaign com.
mittees this year.