Dollars & Divinity

On went the Senate Lobby Committee through the Prohibition phase of its investigations. Last week's subjects for scrutiny: the anti-Smith movement of 1928; the anti-Saloon League of America. Developments:

"Fat Cat." First Dry to the witness stand was Edwin Cornell Jameson, president of Globe & Rutgers Fire Insurance Co., director of many another potent company, business partner of New Jersey's Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen (this year a Wet candidate for the Senate). Mr. Jameson was the largest individual contributor ($172,800) to the Hoover campaign (TIME, April 28). Squarejawed, tightlipped, with a big dimple in his chin, Mr. Jameson has grey-fringed black hair, a close-cropped black mustache, wears sparkling pince-nez before placid grey eyes. Spruce and good looking, he refused to be photographed because, he said, he was "not good looking enough." The tale he told the committee concerned how he had played what politicians call "the fat cat" (cash provider) in the South to defeat Smith.*

Mr. Jameson's contributions: $65,300 to Bishop James Cannon Jr. of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, South; $30,000 to the Virginia State Republican Committee; $50,000 to the National Constitutional Democratic Committee (for anti-Smith work in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri); $20,000 to the North Carolina Republican State Committee; $5,000 to the Indiana Republican Committee; $2,500 to the Republican National Committee. Explained Mr. Jameson: "I'm a great believer in the 18th Amendment."

What the Lobby Committee sought particular light on was the apparent discrepancy of $48,000 between the $65,300 Mr. Jameson reported giving Bishop Cannon and the $17,300 Bishop Cannon reported receiving from Mr. Jameson. The answer seemed to lie in a telegram sent Mr. Jameson by Bishop Cannon after the Campaign when Congress was calling for final expenditure reports: AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION RECORDS THINK STATEMENT SHOULD BE QUOTE PAID HEADQUARTERS COMMITTEE ANTI-SMITH DEMOCRATS $17,300; PAID VIRGINIA COMMITTEE ANTI-SMITH DEMOCRATS $48,000 UNQUOTE.

Mr. Jameson admitted that he divided his report as Bishop Cannon had asked, though it did not tally with his own figures. The Bishop's purpose was plain: under Federal law he would have to report only the small headquarters contribution for interstate use, could suppress record of the large amount assigned to the local Virginia organization.

Senator Caraway shuffled over Mr. Jameson's checks, found that $30,000 had been conveyed to Bishop Cannon in cash. Explained Mr. Jameson: "The Bishop asked for cash and got it in that form."

Long after the campaign Bishop Cannon complained to Mr. Jameson that he was still in debt for "stationery and stuff." Mr. Jameson gave him another $7,300. Mr. Jameson's explanation: "The Bishop seemed to have worked so hard in the campaign, I helped him out. I made him that contribution -- no, not contribution -- er -- just made him that gift."

Last week Bishop Cannon was explaining his political activities to his church, in conclave at Dallas, Tex. He will next answer questions of the Senate Lobby Committee.

"We Are Lobbyists." When Rev. Francis Scott McBride, D.D., general superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of America, appeared upon the stand, he said: "There is no doubt we are lobbyists." He explained that the Anti-Saloon League, exclusive of State branches, spent $273,049.14 last year, that a deficit of $3,132.32, the first in many a year, resulted. The League was given $685 in bad checks in 1929. He balked at disclosing the contributors to the League lest they be "annoyed" by publicity. Lobbyist Mc-Bride's exposition of the League's activities:

"We work through churches. . . . We hold meetings and agitate through literature. The agitation rests on the basis that alcohol is a habit-forming drug and should be suppressed. . . . Sometimes we interview Senators and Representatives. . . . We don't write bills [for Congress]. . . .We obtain reports about candidates for appointments and give the President the information. . . . We never permit the League to be maneuvered into assuming responsibility for any appointee."

"Born of God." Wisconsin Wet Senator Blaine found a passage in a recent speech in which Dr. McBride had said: "The Anti-Saloon League was born of God."

Senator Blaine: Did you say that?

Dr. McBride (rising angrily): I said the Anti-Saloon League was born of God, is led by Him, and will fight on as long as He leads.

Senator Blaine: What gave you the conception it was born of God? Did He send you a message?

Dr. McBride: It was born at a prayer meeting and we do all our work in close communion with the churches.

Senator Blaine: Oh, I know you put on the cloak of religion.

Dr. McBride: We don't! It's real religion.

Senator Blaine: Do you regard your league as a son of God?

Dr. McBride: Our organization is an instrumentality of God . . . .and anything that stands in the way of the Kingdom of God must get out of the way. . . .

Cries from spectators: Sacrilege! Sacrilege! Sssssss!

Senator Blaine: God would not approve some of your practices and I think it's a sacrilegious and outrageous thing for you to make a claim of being a divine agency. . . .

Hisses and applause from spectators.

Chairman Caraway (pounding for order): Please get back to the question of lobbying.

*Fat Cat Jameson is not to be confused with Edward C. Jamieson of Philadelphia whose picture, due to a photographic agency's error, was unintentionally published in TIME, April 28.

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