Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-15
Lumberman's Backing in
Campaign SWelIs Total
Fund to $327,0 900.
HEAD OF PARKS BOARD
ALSO WAS Volunteer
Received No Compensation for As
sistance, He Says, and Did Not
Seek Donations.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
CHICAGO, July 15.-W. d. Alexan-
der, lumberman of Bloomington, Ill,
today testified at the senatorial inquiry
into Ruth Hanna McCormick's primary
campaign expenses that he spent $7,207
out of his own funds in behalf Of her
campaign.
He said he assumed direction of Mrs
McCormick's campaign in Mclean
County because of his friendship for
her, and not because of any request
from her headquarters. He had infor-
mally told Mrs. Mccormick Of his ac-
tivities and his expenditures without
submitting any report.
In her testimony yesterday, Mrs. Nc
Cormick had named Mclean County as
one OF several in which her campaign
has not cost anything. The expenditure
disclosed by the lumberman sweiled the
total OF expenditures in Mrs McCor-
nick's behalf to about 1927. 900, OF which
she put up $252.000. -
Says He Was Volunteer.
Alexander said he had volunteered his
services and his funds, saying his activi-
ties benefited him in his community,
He said he might aspire to public ONCE,
but he had no other interests aside
from his lumber business. He did own
some utility stocks.
Mrs. Mccormick appeared In the
committee room while Alexander was
on the stand, but did not exercise the
privilege granted her to cross-examine
witnesses.
w. r. James, president of the Chi
cago West Parks Board. who directed
Mrs. McCormickS campaign in Chicago
and Cook County, said he volunteered
to assist her and received no compensa-
ton for it. He denied he had solicited
or received any contributions to her
campaign. He had not placed on the
pay rolls of the West Parks system any
persons who worked In Mrs. McCor-
mick's behalf.
Research Man Testifies.
Frederick A. Smith, veteran news
paper man, who has been In MRS. Nc
Cormick's employ for two years as
publicity man and research director,
said he left the services of Senator
Charles S. Deneen and Roy o. West,
national G. o. p. committeeman, to
join Mrs. McCormick's stan after the
1928 primary.
Since then he said he had devoted
most of his time to his research activi-
ties, although during the senatorial
campaign ne SUPERVISED the 00Wn-State
advertising in her behalf. In delineat-
ing his research work for Senator Nye,
Mr.. Smith said among his duties were
reading the Congressional Record,
studying the soy bean industry. watch
the tariff and similar matters.
Mr.. Smith said he drew no additional
salary during the campaign.
Another Aide Quizzed.
After Senator Nye concluded his ques-
tioning, Mr.. Smith, in a statement to
the committee, called Mr.. Nye's atten-
ton to various newspaper articles
which had linked Mrs. McCOrmick's
name with the Chicago underworld" as
a result of the senatorial inquiry. He
said he felt the committee should go
into these matters and give Mrs. Nc
Cormick clean bill of health"
The next witness, James w. Snyder,
political secretary of Mrs. McCormick,
was questioned regarding the method
of perfecting her organization down
State. He described the conditions
which confronted her in various dis
tricts where, he said, Senator Deneen
controlled the patronage of prohibition
(Continued on Page 2. Column ST.