Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-07-02
Mr.. Furst Hits Back.

the speech of Senator Blair Lee in which
he was attacked by Senator Lee and in
which the intimation was contained that
Mr.. Furst's advocacy Of Mr.. Harrington
and his opposition to Senator Lee were
inspired by his corporation connections.
The statement is as follows:
From the tone Of Senator Lees speech
at the Eighth Ward Democratic Club. in
the early part Of the week. it is evident
that the appeal made to the Democratic
voters Of the State in a recent interview
must have been favorably received by them.
else he would not have shown such poor
taste and worse temper in making me the
subject of a personal attack. instead of at
tempting to answer my objections to his
candidacy.
1T would appear that he has not taken
Mayor Preston's advice to avoid personali-
ties in this campaign, for he seems to be
diseased with desire to impale me upon
his imaginary corporation lance. which he
wieIds with such demagoeic dexterity, and
to impugn my motive as well. instead OF
addressing himself to the real reasons why
he should be nominated as the candidate
Of the Democratic party for Governor.
in tone Of pharisaical self-laudation
he enumerates schedule Of public meas
ures which he says he supported. and then
ina supercilious spirit propounds the query !:
viii Mr. Furst state to the public whether
he approved or gave his moral support to
the passaee Of any Of these measures 2
the evident purpose Of the question being
TO furtively claim authorship for these
several measures and at the same time
make the coincident support Of them the
only test Of Democrats political wisdom
and virtue.
What will Senator Lee say when meet
his challenge and inform him that have
always been an earnest advocate Of the
Federal Income Tax. the Primary Election
Law. the creation Of the Public Service
Commission. the Employers Liability Act
the latter having been passed in obedience
to the promise Of the party platform
las to the Full Crew law and the Tele-
graphic law. | took no action upon either
OF these and claim no credit. either direct
or indirect. for their enactment but can
truthfully say. and hope with becoming
pgOpriety. that during my long business
career have voluntarily applied the hui
name principles underlying the Employers
Liabilities act to the men in our company s
service who were injured in the perform
ance Of their duty.
"As Senator Lee seems to claim a sort
Of proprietary interest in the passage Of
these several measures, il might not be
amiss to say that not so very long ago
another gentleman. the Hon. Isaac Lobe
Straus, in public statement which was
spread broadcast over Maryland. claimed
credit as the champion Of all these meas
ures for the enactment of which Senator
Lee now so highly lauds himself. and those
who are familiar with the history of this
legislation will not. ! am sure. hesitate to
say that vastly more credit is due Mr.
Straus for the passage Of these laws than
to Senator Lee.
ut may also be Of interest to say that
notwithstanding Senator Lee has tried &c
hold me up to public soorn as being asso-
ciated with the wicked corporation class
that nevertheless earnestly and Loyalty
supported Mr.. Bryan during his three Presi
Dental campaigns. record which would
seem to permit me to dispute Senator Lee
claim TO the exclusive ownership Of tn,
patent rights Of progressive democracy
Senator Lees insinuatiOn that because
OF my investments in Maryland corpora
tons am not safe adviser to my fellow
Democrats has the true ring Of the genuine
demaeoeue.
what is discreditable in investing il
and being associated with the manage
ment OF our Baltimore enterprises
For the sake Of accuracy. and to SHOW
how rash Senator Lee Is in his statements
Knight say that haven't got dolla
invested in the Consolidated Gas Compan!
Of this city although deem il desirable
investment. ! am interested in the Unitet
Railways. and know Of no agency that ha
done more to develop the city Of Balti
more and adjacent territory. and don't Sc
why should be charged with disloyalty t
the public interests for having made thi
investment.
why Senator Lee should drag in tn
affairs Of the company with which hav
been connected for so many years am a
loss to understand. for it certainly bear
no relationship to the State of Maryland
as have never known the State to awar,
any dredging contracts.
Il have been engaged in the dredein
business for many years and as more thai
80 per cent. Of our business has been don,
without the limits Of the State. we hav
literally brought considerable capital t.
the city which has sought local investmen
and directly benefited the community &C
cordinRly. In other words. we have adde,
TO the wealth Of the State and not takel
from Il.
''lnasmuch as my private interests hav,
been SO freely exploited by Senator Lee.
may also add that among my other loca
investments have substantial holdinj
in the stock Of the city Of Baltimore. AM
for that reason have a direct interest il
seeing that the State has safe. conserva
tive and sensible executive and not on,
who considers it good political form 4
aTaien corporate investors and MANAGER
as public enemies.
Il have lived in Baltimore 81 years Of
my life. and while it is always very dis
tasteful for me to speak in the first person
yet Senator Lees uneenerous attack COM
pels me to say that have to the best Of
my ability freely served the city Of Bal.
timOre in a variety Of ways, when re-
oneated IN do 40 nv those In authoritv