Evening star., 1952-09-20
The Political Viii : ~
Case for Nixon Rests
On Use of $4,000
COP. Leaders Suggest Money
Wus Used to Fight Reds
The Political MHI

COP. Leaders Suggest Money
Wos Used to Fight Reds
By Gould Lincoln
The case for or against Senator Nixon
of California. Republican nominee for
Vice President, who has received $4,000
from group Of businessmen and friends
to help pay expenses since his election
to the Senate in 1850. depends on the
purpose Of the contributions-and the
use the money was put to.
High Republican quarters suggest that
the reason for these unusual contribu-
tions was to enable Senator Nixon, who
was largely responsible for breaking the
Alger Hiss case, to continue effectively
campaign against Communists, fellow
travellers and other Subversives in this
country. They add that the money was
used to spread abroad the Senator's
speeches and to pay other expenses in
his drive against the "Reds." Decidedly.
II this can be proved, a different light
will be thrown on the whole matter.
In his original statement on the pub
ished report of these contributions to
his Expenses" Senator Nixon slashed
out against the "left-wingers, and
added that IF they think by such tactics
they can slow up my attack against
communism and corruption, they will
find out differently. intend to expose
the elements which have been selling
this country down the river until the
crooks and the Communists and those
who defend them are driven out of
Washington" Implicit is the thought
that the money raised by his friends
was to be used for these very purposes
which Senator Nixon says so empha-
tically he will pursue.
Angle Wasn't Covered.
Senator Nixon. however, did not cover
this angle in his statement-nor did
Dana c. Smith, Pasadena attorney, who
helped raise the expense fund for Nixon.
He did not say the money was raised
to fight the Reds. or for the purpose of
exposing corruption in the Federal Gov
eminent. in Washington and in Cali
fornia.
1t seems incredible that Senator Nixon
would have agreed to accept thousands
OF dollars. contributed by businessmen
and others in his home State, for his
expenses" unless it were for such pur-
poses. Or that Senator Nixon would lay
himself open to charges that he was
peddling his influence" as Senator
or that he was too stupid to recognize
what was being done to him. Particu-
larly II there are real estate operators
and oil men in the group of contributors.
who might be supposed to have definite
interest in legislation upon which Mr..
Nixon would vote.
Unless there is good explanation for
these contributions to Nixon's expenses,
the California Senator could not have
been nominated for Vice President at
the Chicago Republican National Con-
vention-if the story of the contributions
then had been widely printed. And il
he could not have been nominated, he
has no justification for holding on to the
nomination today. If Senator Nixon
retires from the Republican national
ticket. the Republican National Com
mittee. under authority given it by the
Republican National Convention, may
pick new vice presidential candidate.
The last time vacancy occurred on
the national ticket of either major
political party, after the nominations
had been made, was in 1912. Vice Presi-
dent James Schoolcraft Sherman was
renominatetf to run with President Taft
that year. but shortly before election day
he died. The national committee nomi-
mated Nicholas Murray Butler. president
OF Columbia University in his place.
Few Believe He Will Quit.
Few Republican leaders believe that
Senator Nixon will either bow out or be
forced out. They express confidence
that he can explain satisfactorily the
contributions which have been made to
his expense account. But should he 60
of the ticket. the Republican National
Committee would be presented with a
major problem. Some members would
strongly urge that Senator Taft Of Ohio
be selected-provided Senator Taft
would accept. Particularly would the
demand be made now because of the
strong stand the Ohio Senator has taken
IN support of Gen. Eisenhower. The
committee might we'll turn however, to
Senator SaltonStall of Massachusetts.
former Governor of that State. known in
New England and in the Senate as Mr..
Integrity" himself. Senator Dirksen Of
Illinois, great campaigner. q Taft sup
porter in the preconvention campaign,
might be considered. but the friends Of
Gov. Dewey Of New York would turn
thumbs down. because of the attack
made by Dirksen on Dewey and other
Republican leaders at the Chicago
convention last July.
Senator Nixon's effort to make a case
against the Democratic vice presidential
candidate. Senator Sparkman Of Ala
bama, because Mr.. Sparkman placed his
wife on the Senate payroll, will be Of
little avail unless Senator Nixon, him
self, clears up these contributions to his
expense account. It's an old custom
for Senators and Representatives to
make secretaries of their wives. One
notable case was former Vice President
Gamers appointment Of Mrs. Garner as
his secretary.
Meanwhile the Truman Fair Dealers
are delighted over the embarrassment
Of their Republican foes, growing out Of
the Nixon charges. Nor Is their delight
less because a cloud hovers over the
California Senator. They hate him for
his activities in the Hiss case.