Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1920 — BLAIR ADMITS THE BIG DRIVES [ARTICLE]

BLAIR ADMITS THE BIG DRIVES

Upham’s Assistant Tells of G. O- PPlans to Get Money. Chicago, Sept. 10.—Admission that Governor Cox understated the actual facts when he said that the Republican national organization had formulated plans for drives to raise quotas for the g. o. p. campaign chest in 51 of the largest cities of. the country was made to the senate investigating committee by Harry, M. Blair, assistant to the Republican national treasurer. Mr. Blair said the actual number of cities for which the drives were planned was 54. The plans were formulated early in July, he said. This was shortly before the slush fund charges were by the Democratic nominee. He said that since that date his organization has been using every endeavor to carry the plan into effect and that drives of this character have already been launched in Chicago, Cleveland and a number of other cities, while Intensive fundraising campaigns will be started soon in St. Louis, Kansas City and other places. While he planned drives in 54 cities, Mr. Blair said. It was found impossible to carry out the program because of local conditions in some places. He mentioned Minneapolis, St. Paul, Dallas and Houston as citfes as where the drives were anandoned because It was “not expedient” he said, to start them. “You did, though, contemplate organizing drives In 54 cities?” Senator Reed asked. “Yes, sir.” “So If Governor Cox or any other man charges you had plans for organizing In 51 cities he simply understated, didn’t he?” “Yes, sir.”