Evening star., 1928-05-15

Apparently nobody expected sensa-
tional revelations from the senatorial
investigation of 1928 presidential cam
paign expenditures. and the results of
the inquiry to date are followed with
mild interest.
Opinions as to the value of the Senate
investigation of campaign expenditures
In the present national campaign are
mildly expressed. The consensus of the
greater part OF the public Is that such
an inquiry may have the effect OF re-
ducing expenditures, which have been
excessive in the past. 1t is suggested,
however, that the questions asked should
not extend beyond the proper scope OF
the duties of the committee of inquiry.
"A hundred years ago" suggests the
Dayton Daily News. candidates for
President we're too dignified to say a
word except through an unofficial
spokesman. They were too grave and
10 get farther from home than
their front porches. Now they march
and account for their actions like other
human beings. Maybe the substance of
democracy is being lost. A good many
fear that 1t is. But Its form Is clearly
gaining ground"
A singular feature of the matter
which Is pointed out by the Boston
Transcript is that 1.-The United States
Senate. never more fertile than when
devising ways and means to pry into the
personal or corporate affairs OF others.
Is now turning the spotlight on itself. y
In explanation the Transcript adds:
"At least that would be the natural inn
preston In its creation of another CAM
paign smelling committee and the ae-
ton of that committee in calling to the
carpet all the candidates OF both parties
for the presidential nomination. In
fact. the preliminary campaign OF 1928
Is very much OF senatorial affair. for
no fewer than 10 members OF that body
are actual or potential candidates for
the presidency"
"The inquiries into presidential cam
paign funds thus far by the Senate
committee" as viewed by the Albany
Evening News. have not divulged any
very heavy expenditures nor the exist
ence Of any large funds. Probably they
will not divulge any. either. In view OF
recent events. this promises 10 be year
OF comparatively modest preliminary ex-
pendituTes and contributions, OF course,
there will be funds Necessarily there
must be, but there will not be any
scandals about them. Gov Smith and
Herbert Hoover have declared that they
have not authorized any managers or
treaslrers TO collect or receive funds,
but have indicated where information
OF the sort required can be obtained"
EkIEs .artA aha kfsaA taNF
the Manchester Union. were favorite
sons or pfoprietors OF rather nebulous
booms In the conditions" continues
that paper. ut Is not surprising that the
proceedings were marked by an air OF
mild leVity. Nobody seems to
think that unduy lavish outlays will be
discovered The oldLstyle financial
plnngtng by candidates or In their be-
half has gone out of style. Since more
often than not 1t represented sheer
waste, there are practical ms we'll as
ethical reasons for It's loss OF favor. But
the Senate has voted this investigation
and very properly II will be carried out
II II illustrates that some lessons OF
experience have been generally learned,
the showing viii be accepted with salts
faction"
From the Atlanta Constitution comes
the suggestion that while the commit
tee Is inquiring into the high costs Of
running for Il presidential nomination
II should also look into the high costs
OF endeayoring To defeat nominations on
the part Of such organizations as the
Antl.Baloon League, with its army Of
paid speakers and money collectors n-
Testing every STATE In the Union. In
complete fairness" continues the Georgia
paper, n there are other organizations
engaged In pre- convention campaigning
for or against any candidate or any real
or prospective isstle, such should also
come into the general investigation"
| y
| The Milwaukee journal advises thai
| what might help Is revision and a
| widespread extension of the corrupt
practices aft Of 1898 Tlle Teapnt Dome
aud alInndAnI sea ndala q saua lha lnlIn-