Evening star., 1928-03-10

Almost universal criticism, unfavor-
able and severe, has marked newspaper
comment on the admission by win II.
Hays that as chairman of the Re-
publican national committee seven years
ago he received large contribution
from Harry F. Sinclair to help meet
the deficit of the Harding campaign.
In defense OF the position OF the Re-
publican party. the San Francisco Bull
letin says: THE Democrats may hurl
mud at their opponents, but the Re-
publicans may we'll say, Though he
gave us 100000. which We accepted in
good faith. nevertheless, We arc pros
ecuting him in the oil lease cases
National political parties cannot func-
ton without funds. They are entitled
to collect them from friends, and to
political friendship. The Reno Gazette
independent Republican, also argues,
THE statement of Hays that they
solicited and accepted funds from SIN
clair Just as they did from other
wealthy persons with large industrial
interests, and considered their actions
legitimate, will be accepted"
But many Republican newspapers are
sharp in their condemnation. The New
York Herald Tribune tRepublican>. In
an editorial headed "Evading Truth
and the Law" says Of the campaign
manager: Most men make mistakes.
and 1t would be easy TO forgive Mr..
Hays this blunder II he had frankly
faced the facts thereafter and told the
whole truth to his party and to the
public. He did not Whatever the
technicalities, Mr.. Hays original failure
| TO report on the witness stand the loan
made by Mr.. Sinclair satisfied neither
the Republican party's obligations TO
| the public nor the intent OF the law.
| Now, In attempting to explain this
| juggling of Mr.. Sinclair's bonds, Mr..
| Hays only makes matters worse. Mr,
| Hays evasion of the law and the truth
has been deplorable."
y ~
1.-THE fact that Sinclair had special
deal with Fall. for which he corruptly
paid him large sum. according To
court testimony" comedies the Kansas
| City Journal Iaepublican). could not
have been known by Hays. The fact
that the bonds advanced came from
| the juggling of prices In deal that
robbed several oil companies was like
wise a secret, but recently brought to
| light" The Journal, however. adds:
Had Mr.. Hays told all about this long
| ago. the matter would have been
thrashed out. without any danger OF the
sinister constructions likely to be placed
upon 1t now. In falling to speak III
time. MIR. Hays has left nasty meas on
the doorstep Of his party on the eve of
n presidential campaign"
'fhe effect OF WIN II, Hays disclo~
sure Of the Sinclair benefaction to the
| ..6i jiKxtS Ia
New Bedford Standard tRepublican.
us all the worse because there has naen
such an obvious attempt to avoid II.
Sinclair's money was used To help the
party settle for the Harding campaign,
| and the fact does not come out nniil
seven years later. In the meantime. the
| country has come To know II gooi deal
about this particular political angel.
with no less authoritative u tribunal
| than tho Supreme Court OF the United
| States stamping the seal Of Its diaap~
prOval upon him, Mr.. Hays has
shed a little new light on an unsavory
| episode. but the public long ago made
| up It's mind this was Il rotten business.
and Is Incapable OF further resentment.
Perhaps the principal consequence Ii
| the damage done TO Mr.. Hays feputa~
| ton tor Veracity. His explanation OF
| why ne dld not mention all or sinclair i
bcnefactiona when he testified before Is
Il very poor explanation"
| v Il y
The conclusion Is drawn by the To-
peka Daily Capital CRepubliean) that
while "the Teapot Dome plot has
proven long trail" yet the Walsh
committee may now be nearing the ex~
pianation OF the reluctance. through
four years, Of men high In political and
financial circles 10 testify"
The Baltimore Bun independent
Democratic) says; This IL 10 be said
IN justice Ia Hays~he does not deserve
the entire blame of these transactions,
lie WAS not operating IN IL vacuum.
when he obtained aud used money from
Sinclair, before and after the revelation
! VI tiinGlair'a part IN The Ieapot Dome
corruption. he was acting on behalf Of