Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-10-20
Is BEING WORKED
GOV. FlNNEY WRITES ABOUT
THE KANSAS FEDERATION. al
Says Schemlng Democrats are Using
Federation to Help Their Own
Candldates-He Refuses to Con.
tribute to the Plan. .tst anxsA.e,s,

ferent millers OF the state urging
them to line UP for the Democrati,
candidates for railroad commissioners
He says that 1t will only take o
change Of ten votes in each votina
precinct in the state to defeat the Re
publican candidates and urges tha
millers to rustic up that number OF
changes in their respective localities.
He made srch demand upon ex-Lieu'
tenant Governor D. w. Finney, who
runs mill at Neosho Falls. It was
turned down nat. In reply Governor
Finney. one Of the best known bust.
ness men of the state, wrote:
Neosho Falls, Kansas. Oct II. 1904.
Mr. H, Ii Reising,
Secy. Kansas Federation CONNER
cial Interests, ,.lA
Wichita, Kansas. i" nj I2s
Dear Sir: -'Nf
am in receipt Of your circular let.
ter Of the 9th inst, and have carefully
read the same can assure you that
any legitimate effort to secure the pas.
sage Of amendments to our present
railroad law. making It more effective
in correcting the abuses complained
OF will meet my hearty approval and
command nv most earnest support.
In the printed card enclosed with
your letter YOU state that you are In
favor or the non.partisan movement
to elect J. w. Robson (Republican),
w. e. Ferguson. (Democrat). and F.
H. Chase, (fopullst), as members Of
the board Of railroad commissioners,
but you fail to give any reason why
these gentlemen are any more worthy
Of support then Mr.. Walker or Mr..
Wheatley, both Of whom are candl.
dates and were nominated on this
same ballot with Mr.. Robson. know
Mr.. Robson, whom you recommend
and believe he would make an excel.
lent railroad commissioner. As to
the other two gentlemen you name I
know nothing personally, but their se.
lection by convention dominated by
the most ir uential railroad attorney
IN the state is calculated to raise
suspicion that II elected they will ho
very weak ampions Of the interests
Of the masses when It comes to an is
sue between the shippers and the rail.
roads. AS these two gentlemen were
nominated by regular political con-
ventions. 7 fail to see why you should
should call them "non-partisan."
I am personally acquainted with
Mr.. Wheatley and Mr.. Walker and be.
lieve them both gentlemen Of good,
Judgment end that they would deal
fairly with every phase Of the trans.
portation problem which may be pre-.
sented for their consideration
The writer had the honor Of serv-
ing on the board with Mr. Walker ami
knows whereof he speaks when
he says that his sympathies
are with the people and that In
all cases brought before the board the
complaints or shippers have received
as careful consideration and as lust
q decision from Mr. Walker as any i'm.
partial board could render.
notice that Mr.. Robson, whom the
recommends as a member
Of the board. also bears witness to
Mr.. Walkers efficiency and impair.
tiality
would be obliged to you, Mr.. Rels-
Ing, II you would cite me to single
ruling or decision Of the board that
has not been given the. consideration
It deserved, OF has the board ever
rendered a decision unfavorable TO
any Of your members that you would
reverse u you had the power?
Is It not fact that you are blaming
the board for its failure to accomplish
The impossible? While limited In It's
powers to the state, are you not blam.
Ing 1t for not correcting abuses CT
Interstate Commerce, over which 1t
has no jurisdiction?
II looks as though the Federation
was being worked by parties who have
IN Ak TO grind and who desire Ar.
Walkers defeat for revenge and not
'or the good Of the people. ! believe
hat the party led by Roosevelt and
Hoch have nominated men for rail-
-oad commissioners who will be better
champions Of the cause Of the people
han the so-called nonpartiSan eandl-
iates. for whose ACTON no party can
,s held responsible Therefore you
reed not count me as one Of the ten
IoterS In this township on whom you
an rely TO defeat a. good. honorabls
md efficient men a. have bean nomi-
iated BY either party for any position
u either ticket
Yours truly.
-. --~.sG~v-wr