The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-09-04
Many Quiet Conferences Being
Held This Week.
ED SMITH HOME FROM EUROPE
Republican State Chairman Expected
to Bring Warning Factions of
Party Together.

st. Paul-(SpeciaD-The big Min
nesota state fair has the boards this
week and the politicians are aware OF
the fact. They began flocking in
early and the press building, which
the fair management designated as
legislative headquarters, entertained
more than one busy group. The
promised special session of the legis-
lature to consider a public utilities
control bill was to the fore in the
gossip. In this connection I will
nave to say the promised call was
little rel1shed and the governor was
criticised by more than one member.
The threatened October call, many
said, would mean distinct financial
loss, as it would take them from
their labors at time which was the
busiest OF the year. There was some
talk OF calling on his excellency in a
body and acquainting him of the
1act, but the conference idea was
dropped on an intimation from
sources close to the governor that
there was no need to worry. To add
to the occasion State Chairman .. b.
smith showed up on the scene and
he was showered with congratulations
and requests for side talks from q
number who have been anxiously
awaiting his Homecoming. Mr.. Smith.
you probably know, with his family
LETT for Europe shortly after the
close OF the legislature for his health,
which was reported to be quite bad.
Since that he has been located at
Baden Baden, the celebrated Eu-
ropean springs. He looked we'll and
said he was never in better health.
AS side lines to the big gathering
there was the women's suffrage tent,
with literature and buttons for the
asking; the Anti-Saloon league.
which refuses to give up the ghost,
and the prohibition headquarters. All
did a rushing business. The num-
Der of visiting house and senate
members at the fair this year was
undoubtedly increased by the is
suance of passes by the fair man
agement. For three years this priv
1lege has been denied, but with the
taking on of the presidency by John
f'urlong Of Austin the old order OF
things was returned. President Fur
long, in advocating the issuance to
the legislative members, made the
point that they were really a part of
the fair management; that they were
responsible for it's success or it's fail
ure and that nothing should be placed
In the way of legislative inspection
if any member desired to avail him.
self of the right.
:. :. =
Chairman Smiths homecoming at
this time carries with it MANY sig
nlficant things. With a special SEES
sion OF the legislature promised his
presence will undoubtedly bring to-
gether number of the warning fac
lions and at the same time remove
from the gubernatorial path several
obstacles that have threatened to
wreck or in a measure imperil his pet
proposition of statewide control OF
public utilities. His is the masters
hand and to date it has worked won
ders in carrying his excellency over
pitfalls and rocks that would have
wrecked a much stronger man. Dur
Ing the past week there has been
some quiet whisperings to the effect
that the governors utility control
program was not entirely in accord
with Mr.. Smiths views. In effect
the talk was that while Governor
Eberhart and Mr.. Smith had not
broken yet in this particular case
the governor intended to go it alone
and would not brook any interference.
Don't let anybody hand you that kind
OF talk, dear reader. Mr.. Smith is
necessary to the present admins
tration, absolutely so, and so is the
present administration to Mr.. Smith.
When these two break, good night.
Whatever a positive few may think
of State Chairman Smith he is easily
the most powerful and resourceful
leader the state Republican party has
had in years. There has been none
more astute and he has that happy
faculty of making his enemies love
him. Ed Smith picked I'D Governor
Eberhart when others wanted to drop
him. He made him governor three
times and it looks now as if the
same management would put him in
the senate at Washington. No, dear
reader, there is nothing in that break
story, nor will there be a break. No
one ever heard Governor Eberhart
accused of ingratitude.
+. :.
P. J. Youndahl, who has presided
over the destinies of the Minnesota
Anti-Saloon league for the past four
years, has voluntarily retired. He
is going to study law and hang out his
single when he receives his diplo-
ma. Youngdahl followed one Palmer,
whose easy going ways were not to
the liking of the fire eaters of the
organization, but with all his blood
and thunder stuff and the expenditure
of thousands Of dollars in money
county option is still as far off as
ever. The trouble with the whole
thing is that county option never was
on the SQUARE nj least tho wav tho