Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-05
NYE SEEKING LAW
TO BAN EXCESSIVE
CAMPAIGN FUNDS
Senators Consider Probing
Charge $780, 900 Was Used
to Defeat Walsh.
INVESTIGATORS ALREADY
AT WORK IN MONTANA
Lucas, Mutt and Cooper Scheduled
to Appear Before Committee
Tomorrow.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Senator Gerald P. Nye, chairman of
the Senate Slush Fund Committee, re-
vealed today that it is his purpose, aft
ter his committee shall have completed
its work, to prepare and bring into the
Senate for consideration legislation de-
signed to prevent excessive expenditures
of money in senatorial campaigns, both
primary and general election.
At the same time it became known
that Senator Nye and his committee
are considering seriously investig alton
of a charge that a secret fund. sup
posedly provided by Republicans,
amounting to 100000, was sent to
Montana to be used to defeat Senator
Thomas j. Walsh, Democrat, in his
campaign for reelection against Judge
Albert ]. Galen, the Republican nom
inee
Senator Nye said today that reports
of such a fund had been brought to his
committee, and that the committee al
ready had had investigators at work in
Montana.
May Go to Montana.
ct locks as though the committee
might have to 60 to Montana to make
the investigation, Senator Nye said.
The Nye committee, through reso-
luton offered by Senator Nye just
before the Christmas recess, has asked
for an extension of life" beyond the
present Congress, which expires March
4. The resolution proposes that the
committee shall be. continued in full
force and effect until the close of the
first session of the next Congress. 1t
also provides for an additional $4,000
to be used by the committee. The Nye
resolution has been referred to the
Committee on Audit and Control of the
Contingent Fund of the Senate, out Of
which the money must come. Senator
Deneen, chairman of that committee,
Is not expected to return 70 Washington
until wednesday or Thursday.
Senator Nye expects his resolution to
be approved by the Senate, although
there has been suggestion that oppo-
sition 70 it might arise. 1t is under
stood that most II net all CT the $50, 900
asked by the resolution VIII be used 70
make an investigation in Alabama,
where it has been charged that Senator
elect Bankhead won over Senator
Thomas j. Heflin through corruption
of the election. Bankhead was the
regular Democratic n-minee and Sen
ator Helm ran as an independent In
the general election in November Hef1in
had been denied the right TO enter the
Democratic primary because he opposed
the election of Alfred z. Smith, the
Democratic candidate for President in
1928.
Student Memoranda Filed.
Senator Nye said that he has al
ready filed with his committee memo
randa by students of politics bearing on
the subject of legislation strengthening
the corrupt practices act which will be
of value in drafting legislation. He
hopes to be able to have bill ready for
submission when Congress meets next
December.
THE purpose Of the creation of the
Special Investigation Committee was
not alone to safeguard the Senate from
the election Of Senators by the Excess
sive use of money and other corrupt
methods" said Senator Nye today, but
also to gain information upon which TO
base legislation which viii prevent ex-
cessive use Of money and corruption in
senatorial elections.
SENATE committees may continue to
investigate for a long period of years,
and may accomplish GOOD, by making
those who wish to gain nominations and
elections by corrupt means afraid to do
So But unless it is possible to enact
legislation which viii effectively cure
the evils which have been revealed by
these Senate investigations, the root OF
the evil cannot be reached"
Smith and Ware Denied Seats.
The Reed Senate Slush Fund Com
bnnittee, created in 1926. investigated
charges of heavy money spending h
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