Evening star., 1952-09-26
Stevenson Announced
Special Fund in 1850,
Ex-0fficiaI Reports
BY the Asseeiased Press

CHICAGO, Sept. 26.-A former
State officials report that Gov.
stevenson announced in 1850 he
would set up a special political
fund was added today to stories
about the controversial salary
|supplementing funds.
David H. Cummings, q Peoria
banker and businessman who for
merly was an Illinois State pur-
chasing agent. was quoted as say
ing he saw nothing wrong with
the fund.
He could not be reached i'm
Imediately for direct comment.
Mr.. Cummings was quoted by
the Chicago Tribune as saying he
was present at meeting in Sep
tember, 1850, when the Illinois
Governor announced he would set
up a fund for special purposes.
Mr.. Cummings repeatedly said
the meeting. at the Chicago Club.
was attended by Harry Hershey.
then State director Of finance;
William Miller, an Ottawa (nl.)
manufacturer. two Of the Cover
nor's immediate staff, the late
James w. Mulroy and Attorney
Louis A. Kohn Of Chicago, who
lis now in private law practice.
Saw Nothing Wrong.
The newspaper quoted Mr.. Cum
mings as saying, II told Steven
son I saw nothing wrong with
his plan, and ! don't now. Gov.
stevenson should tell who admin
istered the fund. who gave and
got the money, and for what"
One of the top officials in Gov,
Stevenson's cabinet, Fred K
Hoehler, State welfare director
said in Washington last night he
had received two monetary gifts at
Christmas time from the Cover
nor. He declined to say how
much.
Mr.. Hoehler said he sacrificed a
lot of salary when he took the
State job. and several persons
offered to supplement it.. How
ever, he said, Gov. Stevenson dis
suaded him from accepting the
funds. Later, Mr.. Hoehler said,
he received the Christmas gifts.
Two of the Governors aides in
Springfield declined yesterday to
say whether they got gifts from
the fund. They are Carl Nc
Gowan, legal aide in the execu-
tive mansion, and William I
Flanagan, Mr.. Stevenson's press
representative.
Unpaid Worker Rewarded.
However, Justice Walter v
Schaefer Of the State Supreme
Court said he had received a $500
Christmas check in 1850 after he
worked without pay as chairman
of the "Little Hoover" commits
sion. Judge Schaffer said he was
drawing full salary as a professor
of law at Northwestern University
while working with the commits
sion.
+ The fund. Gov. Stevenson has
said, was the balance Of his 1915
campaign. fund for Governor plus
additional contributions. It is
separate from three other funds
raised to further Stevenson's &C
tivities as Governor and later as
Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent.
Don Forsyth, Springfield insur-
lance man who started raising
funds last May for Stevenson s
campaign for reelection as Gov
ernor. said the Governor never
got a dime" Of the gubernatorial
campaign fund for his presidential
campaign.
Won't Disclose Details.
Mr.. Forsyth said it would be
foolish" to disclose details as to
the contributors and amounts, as
such information would be val
liable to the Republican campaign
for Governor.
Carl Kresl, State purchasing
agent since January l, said In
Springfield that no pressure is
being put on business firms doing
business with the State to make
political, contributions. No one