Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1913-09-05
Many QuiGt Conferences Being
Held This Week.
ED SMITH HOME FROM EUROPE
Republican State Chairman Expected
to Bring Warning Factions of
Party Together.

nesOta state fair has the boards this
week and the politicians are aware Of
the fact. They began focking 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 1 will
have to say the promised call was
little relished and the governor was
criticised by more than one member.
The threatened October call, many
said, would mean a 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
body and acquainting him of the
fact, 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 e. E.
Smith showed up on the scene and
he was showered 9Th congratulations
and requests for side talks from a
number who have been anxiously
awaiting his Homecoming. Mr.. Smith,
you probably know, with his family
left 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-
Topean springs. He looked well 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
ilege has been denied, but with the
taking on of the presidency by John
Furlong 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 its fail
IRE and that nothing should be placed
in the way of legislative inspection
II any member desired to avail him
self of the right
Chairman Smiths homecoming at
this time carries with it many sig.
nificant things. With a special ses
sion of the legislature promised his
presence will undoubtedly bring to-
gether number of the warning fac.
tons and at the same time remove
from the gubernatorial path several
obstacles that have threatened tC
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
80
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 resourcefu
leader the state Republican party has
had in years There has been none
more astute and he has that happ,
faculty of making his enemies love
him. Ed Smith picked up Governor
Eberhart when others wanted to droI
him. He made him governor thre
times and it looks now as if tn
same management would put him il
the senate at Washington No, dea
reader, there is nothing in that breal
story, nor will there be break. N,
one ever heard Governor Eberhar
accused of ingratitude.
i. :. j.
P. ]. Youndahl, who has preside
over the destinies of the Minnesot
Anti-Saloon league for the past fou
years, has voluntarily retired. II
is going to study law and hang out hi
shingle when he receives his diplC
ma. Youngdahl followed one Palmer
whose easy going ways were not t
the liking of the fire eaters of tn
organization, but with all his bloc
and thunder stuff and the expenditur
of thousands of dollars in none
county option is still as far off a
ever. The trouble with the Who'll
thing is that county ontion never wa