Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-10-01
HADLEY IN
ADDRESS TO MISSOURI DEMOCRATIC EDITORS

result OF that testimony he, Herbert
Hadley, reduced insurance rates in
Missouri. II Mr.. Hadlcy found that
these companies were criminals, what
right did he have to compromise the
crime! If the evidence showed
they were not criminals, by what form
of persuasion did he reduce the rates7
IF Mr.. Hadley made an agreement
with any insurance company in the
State TO reduce its rates, let him take
the people of the State into his con-
hdenee and publish the contract that
there was made.
IF he did not have contract, but
had even the slender hold Of a stipu-
lation from attorneys, let him pre-
sent the written instrument. IL he
does neither, we are justified in charg-
ing that this statement also rests only
in his own imagination, and was an
other of the dreams with which he
is trying TO deceive the people. The
facts are that the records in the of
fee of the Insurance Commissioner
OF Missouri will show that from 1903
TO 1904 the rates OF insurance were
reduced per cent; from 1904 to zoos
the rates were reduced per cent,
and from 1905 to 1906 there was an
other reduction of per cent, and
from 1906 to 1907 there was another
reduction of 3 per cent; so that for
four years prior to the time that Her
bert Hadley sought TO take the testi-
mony in the controversy with the
companies, rates have constantly been
reduced; and yet, with a mendaeity
unequaled, this Bombastes Furioso
claims credit of 100000 because the
companies, after defeating him in his
suit. followed the plan they had for
merly pursued.
Claim is Patiently False.
"Mr. Hadley's attempt to take 10
himself the credit OF the reduction in
passenger rates brought about by the
recommendation of a Democratic
Governor and the passage of the law
by a Democratic Legislature is too
patiently false to need refutation. Il
might be pertinent, however, to inquire
why It is that if he claims for himself
the credit for that reduction he has
not likewise reduced freight rates in
accordance with the laws passed by
the same legislative body. His an
swer in his speech would appear 10
be that he had decided in conference
with the railroad attorneys that they
should enforce a part of the law and
ignore a part of il, and that a Demo-
cratic Railroad Commissioner, John
| Knott, refused to enter into an
agreement TO ignore the law upon
the statute books, and for this reeog-
milton of the obligations of his Office
he faces Mr.. Hadley's denuneiation.
But, after several columns of
boastful claims in regard to his own
performance, Mr.. Hadley asks me to
state what l have ever accomplished
that should endear me to the people
of Missouri. / have never thought an
honorable reputation could be earned
by personal boasts. | have ever be-
lieved a mans reputation should rest
in the mouths of his associates rather
than his own, but since Mr.. Hadley
challenges me TO show where | have
rendered any service to the people of
my community. I shall briefly answer
him. We each filed the Office of
assistant city counselor.
81 challenge him 20 deny that the
record shows more work done at less
expense and with better results to
the public under my tenure of Office
than when he held the same position.
Upon my record there made | was
elected Mayor of Kansas City, and
under my administration was inaugu-
rated the system Of parks and boule-
wards that today is the pride and
glory OF the second city of the State
under my administration then was be-
gun the fight for cheaper gas. that re-
duced the rate for the people of tina,
community from SI6o TO 81 per thou
sand cubic feet. saving millions oil
dollars to them during the life of the
franchise.