Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-11
The New Slush Fund Committee.


for another inquiry into campaign ex-
penditures of candidates seeking nomi-
nation and election to that body. Every
one realized that such an investigating
committee would be created this year.
And, just as in 1925. it appears likely
that two Of the senatorial primaries
which will receive early attention Of
the committee are those in Illinois and
Pennsylvania.
The high cost of campaigning has not
diminished in recent years. This is
true, despite the frequent assaults made
by the Senate on campaign expendi-
lures. The 1923 presidential campaign
set new records for the expenditure of
money, with the use of the radio as
one of the big contributing factors
Both Republicans and Democrats spent
millions Of dollars in that campaign,
and there was little criticism voiced,
perhaps because both sides appeared to
be well supplied with funds.
The States in many cases have laws
Of their own saying how great an ex-
penditure shall be made by candidates
for office of Senator and Representa-
tive, etc. There are laws, too, both
State and Federal, which compel re-
port Of all campaign contributions and
expenditures. But just when an ex-
penditure of money passes the legiti-
mate and becomes illegitimate is still a
problem. It Is obvious that in States
with the population of Illinois and
Pennsylvania 1t must take more money
to campaign for the Senate than it
requires in a State like Rhode Island
or Idaho, with expenditures held merely
to legitimate purposes. It is necessary
to send more letters, make more
speeches, make wider personal can
vass and spend more money for adj
vertising so as to lay the issues before
the voters.
The purchase of public Office by the
use of money or promises of prefer
ment is destructive of popular govern
ment. It Is fatal to any nation. It
must not be permitted in America.
There are times, however, when a rigid
enforcement of limit of campaign ex-
penditures for legitimate advertising and
headquarters may be hardship to one
candidate as against another. For ex-
ample, one candidate for the senatorial
| nomination may be already a member
Of the Senate, with strong political
organization backing him, with all the
power of Federal patronage and State
patronage in his favor. To say that
an opposition candidate shall be kept
to small expenditures under such CTR
cumstances seems merely to provide for
the perpetuation in Office Of the incum-
bent, to make it possible for him and
his organization to continue in power
indefinitely.
The Vice President has selected an
able committee to carry on the inquiries
into senatorial campaign expenditures
this year. It is headed by Senator
Hiram johnson Of California. Senator
Wagner of New York, another member,
State where the population is large, in
deed. Mr.. Wagner's State has the
greatest population Of all. He and Sen
ator johnson are cognizant of the diff
culties which candidates in such States
must face when 1t comes to reaching
the voters and placing the issues before
them.
The Senate has clearly indicated that
it does not propose to seat as Senators
any candidates whose campaigns are
won after excessive use of money. Only
few months ago the Senate decided
finally the Ware case In Pennsylvania,
turning down the senator-elect. Frank L.
Smith, who was elected Senator in nli-
nois in 1926, saw the handwriting on
the wall and resigned in 1928 a seat
which he had never been permitted to
take. The country will follow with in
terest the Investigations of the newly
appointed committee.