American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-08-27

Shoshone was raised 20 per cent
REAL ARMER Is CANDIDATE FOR
Idaho. this wear, has a real farmer who is a candidate
for the nomination for governor. lie is M. u. Lewis OF
Moscow, a Republican Of the Borah type. he is not a
theoretical farmer, but a really practical one ana mas
about 1900 acres in crops this year. His agricultural mold
ings in Idaho amount to about 1000 acres. About i2OO ac-
res are in Canyon and Gooding counties. Mr.. Lewis is a
rare type of man, quiet, reserved, a bundle of energy. COM
mon sense and integrity. He is reputed to be wealthy, and
that his wealth has been made in farming operations and
by wise investments. Aside from his farming interests,
he has some timber land and some mining and bank y
interests.
In his home county he is regarded as a financial wizard.
The Moscow school district became financially involved,
and Lewis was put on the school board to ~straighten out
the tangle. He not only did this in two years, paid off a
heavy floating debt, made many improvements and IN
creased the efficiency of the school, but paid off $2O,OOO OF
bonded Indebtedness and reduced the tax levy. He did it
by stopping leaks and waste-in other words, by manage
ment. Whenever the people of Moscow or Latah county
have a hard financial problem to solve Lewis always gets
the job.
His integrity is as high as his ability is great. An in
stance of this is found in his connection with the erection
of the buildings of the University of Idaho. He was APP
pointed Regent of the University after contracts for two
of the three new buildings erected about eight years ago,
had been let, and the buildings partially completed. With
his characteristic energy he Immediately began to "get at
the bottom of things His first discovery was that the
bonds furnished by the contractors did not protect the
people who were furnishing the material that went into
the buildings. Lewis ordered that no more warrants be
issued to the contractors, who were being paid as the work
progressed, until the material men were protected. The
contractors, possibly feeling they had made enough money
threw up their contracts. Lewis, being the resident men,
Der of the board of regents was placed in charge, and the
buildings were completed by days work under his super
vision. When completed, there remained a good many
thousand dollars, the difference between what the build
ings actually cost and the contract price for them. This
was not enough to pay those holding claims for material
or money adanced and Lewis offered to prorate it among
the claimants. The bank of which Lewis was a stockhold-
err and director was caught for $500, being money adj
vanced to one of the contractors. The bank appealed to
Lewis for protection. He said No. If you have been do
ing business carelessly, that is your fault. | am represent
ing the state and not one dollar above the contract price
will | pay, nor recommend to the legislature to be paid"
He stood on this high ground and the bank is still waiting
for its money. 1t shows character when a man will pro-
tect the state at the expense of his own bank and his own
pocket. Well, that's Lewis.
Lewis is a thorough business man, a good neighbor and
a splendid citizen. He is not a landshaker, nor a fawning
promising politician. He is just a plain, full sized man
who has made good" and says he can save $780, 900 a year
In the expense of conducting the state government if Civ
en- a chance, without any change In the laws, and by chang
ing them can do even better. He has made his promises
good in the past and his claims are worth consideration.
Born OF Quaker stock in Pennsylvania, reared on a farm
In Iowa, engaged in farming operations in Idaho since
1901, Lewis is thoroughly familiar with the problems of
farmers, and in thorough sympathy with them. Being one
OF the heaviest tax payers he has reasons of his own for
wanting taxes reduced, and his best efforts will be nut
forth toward reducing them. He is a rare man and furn-
ishes a real hope that better business methods and lower
taxes will prevail in Idaho.
Official life in Washington has its arduous duties as
well as its honors. Congressman Smith and French are
two of the seven members of the lower house who have NOT
taken a vacation on account of broken health or to renair