The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-08-13
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Senator Reed Is Defied by
Two ssSlush, Fund" Wit
nesses in Chicago.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

G ENATOR REED of Missouri, con-
~ Quoting the slush fund inquiry in
Chicago, struck snag last week
two snags, in fact. They were Samuel
insult, the Santa Claus OF, Candidate
Smith and others, and Robert E.
Grove, states attorney of Cook coun-
ty. Both refused to answer certain Of
Reeds questions, and persisted in
their refusal even though the sena-
tor warned them that he would report
them to the senate for punishment for
contempt. The questions had to do
with the source of primary campaign
funds that were expended in behalf
of other than senatorial candidates,
and the witnesses contended that the
committee had no right to make such
inquiries. The public utilities mag
nate read replies prepared by his at
torney, and Mr.. Grove presumably
depended on his own legal abilities.
Mr.. Reed sought, an admission from
Mr.. insult that he had donated more
than the $125,O00 to Frank L. Smith,
$4,000 in propaganda against the
world court which he admitted bene-
fitted Candidate Smith, and $4,000 he
had given George T. Brennan, Demo-
cratic candidate for senator. Mr.. In
sull declined time after time to say
whether he had given $4,000 to the
Crowe-Barrett organization and like
sum to the Deneen group. Finally
Senator Reed, with a trick question,
tripped Mr. insult into, admitting he
had given Roy o. West $4,000 for the
Deneen group.
Altogether the examination of In
sull and Grove was pretty exhibit
ton of cross examination and evasion,
conducted politely and seemingly
without rancor. Whether the two re-
calcitrant witnesses will ever be pun
ished for contempt is question Be-
fore they were put on the stand For
mer Mayor William Hale Thompson
told the committee he had received
$4,000 from Smiths campaign man
ager and turned it over to the Grove
Barrett organization. He said repre-
sentatiyes of that faction sought his
support, promising in return to aid
him If he were candidate for mayor
next year. Not much was learned
from Fred Lundin, one of Governor
Small's chief supporters, but he put on
record his opinion that Small is "a
wonderful, fine, soulful mana victim
of criminal prosecutors" Ira C. Cop
ley of Aurora, interested in utilities,
told how and why he contributed
$4,000 to the Smith campaign; and
County Judge Edmund Jarecki paint
ed picture of the crookedness and
corruption in the last primary with it's
alleged ballot box stuffing, short-pen-
Gil cheating, kidnapping and impris-
oning Of judges and clerks and the
work of gunner and sluggers who
drove election officials from polling
places.
Frank L. Smith was permitted to
file with the committee a long state
ment in which he declared that there
was clear understanding between
AAAAA anu AAAo SuhPtiA6u AAtuuSCL ludL
Pe was to be put under no obligations
for contributions.
DRESENT indications are that the
contest In Mexico between state
and church will be protracted but
will not involve actual armed hostili-
ties. At the appointed time the priests
abandoned the churches and the build
ings were taken in charge by civilian
committees and kept open for prayer,
the government having directed they
should not be used for other purposes
except by special order The episco-
pate. while asserting the church would
never approve of an armed uprising,
says It will accept no settlement OF
the controversy except that it include
recognition of the rights of Catholic
priests as Mexican citizens. 1t Is sup
ported by a telegram from the pope
condemning the Mexican religious
laws. So far. President Gales has