Evening star., 1928-05-01
The Campaign Fund Inquiry

Following q precedent mace iout
wears ago. the Senate has adopted a
resolution providing for the appointment
of a special committee of five 70 nVeS-
tiSate the campaign expenditures OF the
various aSpirantS both for the nonina-
tions and after nominations for the
presidency. An appropriation OF twenty
five thousand dollars is mace 10
cover the expenses of this m
ouirv. which is TO be far-reaching and
widespread. the committee being en-
powered to sit and act at such times
and places as it may deem necessary,
The scope of this scrutiny over th>
campaign is broad. The committee Is
to report to the Senate as soon as
possible the campaign expenditures OF
the various presidential candidates IN
both parties, the names of the persons,
firms or corporations subscribing, the
amounts contributed, the method OF
expenditure of said sums and all facts
in relation thereto, not only as 10 the
subscriptions of money and eXpenol-
lures thereof. but as TO the use OF any
other means or influence. including the
promise or use of patronage and the
providing of funds for setting up con-
testing delegations and all of the facts
in relation thereto that would not only
be of public interest. but would aid the
Congress in any necessary remedial
legislation
The most remarkable feature Of this
action was that the resolution was
adopted without debate and that the
only discussion upon 1t occurred after
this was accomplished. 1t was then
suggested that perhaps the instructions
to the committee did not go far enough
indeed, that the resolution should
contain a prescription of limit to the
amount to be subscribed from any po-
litical interest. This, however, 1t was
pointed out, could not be effectively
done. as there are methods of camou-
iage whereby campaign funds are dis
tributed by covering devices.
Undoubtedly the use Of money IN
campaigns, both those before and after
the conventions. is an evil If carried
TO excess. Just what constitutes that
excess, however, is a question. 1t costs
money 70 organize any campaign Tor
nomination OF for election. There are
numerous and heavy expenses In the
maintenance of headquarters. the en-
pIovment OF clerical assistants, the
printing of material. the legitimate en-
ployment of agents But the line be-
tween the legitimate and the tllegiti-
mate is a fine one, scarcely distinguish
able, In recent years in certain cam
paigns not only for the presidency, but
for other ofices, vast sums have been
spent under color OF expenses" which
were unquestionably used for "infiu-
ence"
It is wholesome that there should be
a scrutiny and that 1t should be thor
ough, non partisan and sincere. The
Senate select committee will have am
pie powers of subpoena and the COM
pulsion Of witnesses. 1t may travel 70
any point, require the attendance OF
any person that they wish to question,
and under a statute hold to penalty any
witness who refuses TO answer any per-
tinent inquiry.
The adoption of this resolution in the
midst Of the pre-eonvention campaign
may not insure scrupulous honesty In
all the proceedings yet 10 come, or un-
cover all chicane employed. but it at
least assures against fragrant violations
Of the fundamental principle Of the
American system Of government thai
Offices are not TO be bought with cash
or with promises OF valuable favors.