Evening star., 1928-08-30
Campaign Money.

Much talk is being indulged in By
both the Republican and Democratic
organizations regarding the respective
campaign expenses Of the two parties,
Chairman Raskob the other day de-
clared that the Republicans had raised
the limit and we're planning to spend
several millions more than had been
originally allocated to the fighting field.
Chairman Work counters by saying
that the Republicans are going to spend
no more than from three TO four
millions and that Mr. Raskob'S state
naent about the Republican fund is as
absurd as his claim of 800 assured
electoral votes for Smith. At the same
time information is put forth from the
Republican headquarters to the effect
that instead of increasing the total the
present purpose is to lessen 1t and that
the three-million mark may not be
exceeded. Almost simultaneously comes
the announcement that the Democratic
chiefs have allotted a million to the
Western area. in the hope of carrying
some Of the farm-belt States.
In q few days will come another
monthly statement Of receipts and pos
sibly OF expenditures by both parties,
In accordance with their pledges given
in the platforms. It will then be pos
sible to determine how the financial
wind is blowing, in what units the
money is being contributed. and perhaps
how it is being spent. But too much
must not be expected by the public
regarding the details Of campaign fiscal
affairs 1t is well understood that the
two party budgets are largely based on
hopes and not on actual cash In hand
Each side has plighted itself to incur
no deficit. but accidents will happen
even in the best regulated parties. An
excess Of expenditures over receipts is
possible, however stoutly the two con-
tenders have promised to keep within
their means.
The present Republican plan seems
to be TO leave the campaign largely TO
the State organizations, with the ma
tional committee serving as q clearing
house for endeavors and policies. This
may have the effect Of shifting the
burden Of cost from the national to the
State headquarters. But there should
be no less Of publicity regarding the
inflow of cash and, as far as possible,
the outflow as well Whether the money
Is collected and spent under the direc-
tion Of the national or the State organ
tzations Of the party it is all going to
the same end. OF maintaining the cam
paign for the election OF Republican
President and Congress
There is thus far no suggestion of
tmpropriety in the use Of money In the
campaign. Although the plans are laid
on the basis Of million-doliar opera
tions, in the plural. no hint appears of
unseemliness in the actual transactions.
The items Of cost are all legitimate,
rent for headquarters, hire Of clerks,
printing, postage. radio hook-ups, the
oid-tine usual and the new-time un-
usual methods Of carrying the slogans
OF the two parties to the people by
print and spoken word. There is no
present suspicion Of the maintenance
OF what has been politely styled "in-
nuence" funds. and more crudely called
siukh" money. The prayer Of the
country Is that there win be no such
thing. The obvious Implication oi
respective Democratic and Republican
suggestions that the other side" Is rails
ING enormous amounts is that eventual.
iy perhaps soon. the trail Of the serpent
VIII be observed. II is, however, toe
early In the campaign to look for the
sinuous markings.