Evening star., 1928-03-16
Borah Passes the Hat.

Senator Borah's enterprise designed
70 purge the Republican party Of the
evil Of association with unscrupulous
oil magnates is wholly comnendable,
Il may not succeed. but II will at least
give a number OF conscientious Repuh-
licans an opportunity Ia register their
Reputation Of the relations between
The financial branch of the party or
Gus schemes Of oil exploitation. He
proposes to raise 100000 by small con-
tributions wherewith 10 pay of the
debt to Sinclair and his associates. in
CURED IN the donation of that amount
by them to liquidate the deficit Of the
fund Of the campaign Of 1920. AT latest
accounts something over $4,000 had
been secured by this means.
It is question how far this appeal
will carry The revelations recently
made of large subscriptions to the Re-
publican campaign fund under cover
have undoubtedly shocked the country.
They have distressed and considerably
disturbed the leaders OF the party.
Just what the public reaction will be
70 these disclosures remains to be seen.
1t is to be remembered that four years
ago even more shocking revelations
we're made concerning relations be-
tween members Of a Republican ad-
niristTation and the same oil pro-
raoters, revelations which have led to
seemingly interminable litigation and
prosecutions. 1t was thought at the
time that the Republican party had
been nlortally wounded by these blows
But when the campaign actually opened
few months later 1t was found that
the country did not react strongly to
the uncovering Of these scandals. Ger
tatniy the result Of the election showed
that there was no marked disposition
On the part OF the voting public to
hold the Republican party accountable
70 the extent Of rejecting its nominees
The present disclosures turn upon
rathe, subtle points OF ethics. A large
contribution was made to the Republi-
can treasury by Sinclair and his
associates to close up the deficit in the
campaign fund Of 1920. In order to avoid
the appearance. it would seem. Of &C.
cepting such sum Of money from such
q source an effort vas made TO camou-
faage II by distributing credits among
o number OF wealthy men closely iden-
tilted with the Republican organization
each Of them TO receive the equivalent
Of his supposed gift in bonds turned
over 70 the chairman Of the Republican
national committee by the oil mag
mates. Some Of these individuals. at
Least. refused 10 be parties TO such a
transaction and gave Of their own
funds without collateral II has been
indicated that the chairman Of the
committee used this method 70 elicit
subscriptions without expecting the ac-
ceptance Of the bonds by the donors.
Be that as 1t may, the fund was COM
pletec ana the DOCKS were closed. 70 be
opened, however. With embarrassing re-
suits by the present oil probers. who
are, IL would seem, more intent upon
getting something on" the Republican
party than upon any other object
Whatever the motive Of the inquiry
L has mad a wholesome effect In bring
Ing 20 light a transaction that canno,
be justified by any political ezigency
and that Is decidedly unsa.ory TO the
American public.
Senator Eoran's Schene Of restitution
ss 70 b. accepted as a sincere endeayoi
70 clear the party house /. would be
unfair VI suspect that IL Is prompted
rather bY = sense q n4mor than b;
any other motive.