Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-05

and there would have been no three
per cent gross production tax against
the great oil and gas industry Of
this state.
1t has been frequently said that
Mr.. Harris, in the agricultural COM
munities, is lauding the action of the
legislature in imposing the three per
cent gross production tax upon the
oil industry, and. by such laudation
hoping to receive favor in the farm
ing communities by stating that the
oil industry should pay the burden
Of the taxes Of the state. You well
! know that Tulsa county and this
First district is largely interested in
the oil and gas industry The oil
people want to know where Mr..
Harris stands on this proposition.
and they don't want it to come
through some paid penman, or some
major general or field marshal, but
they want an answer, yes or no,
from Mr.. Harris, over his own sig
nature The oil industry demands
that he express himself, explicitly
and definitely, over his own sigma
ture. VIII he do it? His failure
to do so within five days from this
date will be accepted by the oil and
gas contingent that he favors the
three per cent gross production tax.
There is danger ahead when the
executive can force upon the state
the abortion of one of the most
fundamental agencies of government,
namely, the courts. And if the party
in control or this state, by whatever
machinatiou can amend the consti-
tuition ana dispose of and destroy
one court, that party can dispose
n n
a doctrine is pursued, an ambitious
and powerful executive could prac-
tically destroy the democracy of the
people of this commonwealth and
rule by political party power
1t is reported that John Fields Is
authority for the statement that
James A. Harris either from his
inability. his inefficiency, or by un-
Outstanding and agreement with the
Democratic party, caused the defeat
of John Fields as governor If this
is true, then Mr.. Harris is respon-
sible for all the above undeirablc
legislation, and he should relnquish
forthwith the office which he holds
and which he is using every effort
to retain.
You say the so-called new dealers
will not accept the leadership of Har-
ris. You are right They will not
now and they never will accept his
leadership. Mr.. Harris has had the
office of national committeeman long
enough to have demonstrated wetheer
he was able to build up strong, mil
liant, active Republican party, and
the present conditions show that he
has failed in his trust. You say that
he, you and all of your others, are
for harmony. Yes, of course, but IL
must be Harris harmony and Harris
word and Harris desire that shall
predominate and control. If Mr.. Har-
ris, yourself, Mr.. Latta, and all of
your others are sincere in your desire
for harmony in the Republican ranks,
then let Harris withdraw, for until
he does withdraw. as you are
aware, there never will be harmony in
the ranks of the Republican party Of
oklahoma. And, for the good of the
Republican party, for the reasons
above noted and on behalf of those
whom you contemporary call new
dealers" we now demand that James
A. Harris Immediately withdraw from
tho race for national committeeman.
You say he is a bigger man. better
politician than Oklahoma has hitherto
known. Let him rise In his bigness
and give example to his sincerity,
withdraw from the race and real
harmony will prevail and the interests
of tho Republican party will be ma
terlally advanced.
You say that Mr.. Harris Is fighting
a clean fight How awfully untrue