The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-08-06
Prompted Insurance Compan.
les Support Of Willis
As The Human BuzzardS We're
: Kept Out By Cox


OF State Insurance Superintendent
Taggart, Willis appointee, the bars
have been let down for entrance of
the liability insurance companies in
competition with the state workmen's
compensation fund. Foreknowledge of
this decision was perhaps the influenc-
ing factor last winter when the ad-
ministration abandoned it's workmen's
compensation program.
During the last campaign, when on
the Republican side it was full of deals
with sinners as well as saints, the EN-.
polyers' liability insurance companies
sent word down the line to all their
agents and ex-agents to support Frank
Bartlett Willis for governor, with the
statement that only if he were elect
ed could they hope to come into their
own. They opposed James M. Cox for
reelection because he had made COM
pulsory state workmen's compensation
and had driven out and kept out the
human buzzards who prayed on the
widows and orphans.
There has been no change in the
laws affecting workmen's compensa-
tion or liability insurance since Cox
retired from Office. Under Cox the
state workmen's compensation was
maintained inviolate. The old employ
ers' liability companies once stacked
up against Cox and were utterly rout-
ed. But in political campaign they
saw hope. Deal or no deal, promise or
no promise, they supported Willis,
who was elected. Immediately on
the accession of Willis to the Office of
governor the liability companies began
writing insurance in Ohio and trying
to destroy workmen's compensation,
and now they have been sustained by
Willis $4,000 $4,000 commissioner.
Just bear in mind there has been no
change in law, only change of execu-
tives, and form your own equation.
Petitions for referendum on the
Sprague gerrymander are now being
returned filled to the referendum Of
fees in Columbus. Response has been
more than pleasing in practically all
sections of the state, Republicans as
we'll as Democrats by their signatures
voicing their protest at the act which
would deprive President Wilson of his
fair proportionate support of Ohio's
congressman. There is no disaffection
among Democrats in aiding this mat
ter, though an effort mas been made in
single instance to urge selfish am
bition at the sacrifice of the general
state and national Justice and the sup
port of the President. In many Re-
publican localities Republicans are
aiding in the circulation of petitions.
The petitions are called in for August
Is. 1t is believed that by that date
more than the requisite total of sigma
lures will have been secured, and then
there will be left another two weeks to
make up local deficiencies.
The success of Governor Willis ad-
ministration is so remarkable that
Victor Murdock, Progressive National
Chairman, has heard Of it. On this re-
markable success he bases his predic.
tion that the Republican party in 1916
won't have the ghost of show.
State Budget Commissioner e. M
Fullington's own figures show that the
last general assemly appropriated fol
the coming two years $2,00O,000 more
than the estimated receipts of the
state. Governor Willis hurriedly ex
plains that it won't be spent. Why
not? It's appropriated.
Bungling work on the new STATE
highway code has tied up road con