The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-27
WITH PLAUSIBLE TALES
Which His Record as Mayor
Does Not Justify.
HIS GRAFT AND HOBBY
Knocked Into Cooked Hat by
Facts and Figures.

Kansas City. Kan. July 26.-W. II.
Craddoc, Democratic candidate for COVER
nor, is the author Of rather unique cam
paign scheme, which he began to put in
operation this week.
His plan IS to send TO every taxpayer in
Kansas what purports TO be a personal
letter, soliciting support on the promise
that if elected governor he viii inaugu-
rate reforms in taxation which win great
Iy reduce taxes throughout the state OF
Kansas He first obtained from each
county a complete list Of taxpayers, ire
spective of their party alignment. The
mayors Office at Kansas City, Kansas.
which is Mr.. Craddocks headquarters.
has been converted into Craddock liter
erary bureau. and large force Of type
writers installed fer the purpose of get
ting out Mr.. Craddock personal letter"
TO the taxpayer The personal letter"
which has the appearance of having been
dictated by Mr.. Craddock as a personal
communication 10 the individual address
ed. is in fact only printed circular. u
clever imitation by a Kansas City printing
office and the name and address of the
taxpayer and the signature of Mr.. Grad
dock being inserted afterwards by one OF
his typewrite-s Already the letters are
being scattered broadcast.
It Is the same scheme which Mr.. Grad
dock worked on the voters of Kansas City
Kansas. a year ago when he was a can
didate for mayor. He made his campaign
at that time on a pledge 10 the people
that he would cut in two the taxes of his
municipality. The people had great. con
ndence in these election promises and
placed him in charge Of the affairs Of the
city. AS he has been nominated for the
high office of governor of the state! and
now makes these promises to the people
of the state. there is considerable curiosity
on the part of the individuals who have
received Mr. Craddock's personal letter
TO know OF his success in his undertaking
as mayor Of Kansas City. Kansas. and
come interesting facts have come to light
as a result Of their Investigations.
The owners Of homes i'm Kansas city
have waited over one year for his promise
OF reduction OF taxes and have quietly
sought the treasurer's office during his
before; they have watched tho mayor and
his administration receive more income
for the past year than ever before. have
witnessed his failure TIC make leries To
pay of judgments against the city of long
standing and have questioned the manner
in which the mayor is going to meet the
payment OF maturing internal improve
ment bonds by refusing TO make levy
FOR the past year and above it ALL the
people stand amazed at the fact that one
year of his administration has placed thu
city in debt over $22.o0 more than it was
before he took charge.
The manner in which he claimed to re-
duee the taxes OF Kansas City. Kansas, is !
easily explained; for while he made a
''gentleman's agreement with the corpor- |
ations IN regard 10 their valuation, he |
made the same "sentleman's agreement
with the corporations TO reduce the levies !
OF Kansas City, Kansas, thereby pretend |
ing 10 keep his promise with the common |
people, and here is how it was done and /
the people fooled: