The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-04-21
Atkinson Resigns
to Make Canvass

John M. Atkinson, Chairman of the
Public Service Commission, has re-
signed in order to devote his entire
time to his campaign for the Demo-
cratic nomination for Governor. This
action of Mr. Atkinson has been ex-
pected for several weeks by his friends
throughout the State who have known
that he would sever all official con-
nections before starting an active
campaign. Mr.. Atkinson says his
campaign will be conducted on high
plane, and that he would make lbs
campaign upon his own merits.
His Platform
in his announcement he declares
for such legislation as will bring
about better schools and roads; for
prison reform-providing for better
conditions at the State prison, the
4 employment of eonviets on the roads,
| the purchase of prison farm and the
manufacturing of supplies for State
/ institutions; for improvement Of the
administration and management of
the insane hospitals and other like
institutions-th taking of these in
situations out of politics and the Sc
lection of physicians and nurses be
cause of their qualifications for best
taking care of the inmates; for the
budget system in appropriating money
for the support of the State govern
ment and institutions; for the en-
forcement of the law; for new con-
stitution to bring the governmental
organization into harmony with pres
ent conditions; for the enactment OF
fair and effective workman's COM
pensation law; and for sane, sound
and workable rural credit Legislation
that will meet the needs, not only of
those who now own land, but which
will enable the young man or the ten
ant to get farm of his own.
Mr.. Atkinson refers with pride to
his record of public service, and re-
cites his accomplishments, as follows
Legislative Record
Represented Ripley county in the
legislative sessions of 1908, 1905 anc
1907 Minority leader in 1905, hold.
ing the Democrats solidly for Sena-
tor Francis M. Cockrell Throughout,
the long deadlock of that session.
Unanimously Elected Speaker in 1907
Under his leadership and with his
active support much good Legislation
was enacted, including juvenile court
law; pure food and drug act; primary
election law; fellow servant law fol-
miners; safety laws for miners; laws
requiring safety devices on railroad!
to safeguard travellers and employees
law providing for county farm eXper
iment stations; law establishing Stat
dairy department; law providing fol
the establishment of tuberculosis
! Sanitorium; and law establishing tht
first State good roads fund.
, Assistant Attorney General
Appointed Assistant Attorney Gen
eral in 1909 and was placed in charg
of and conducted many importan
{ cases.
. Sustained the validity of "optio1
i stamp law" which has placed NOR
+ than 100000 in the road fund.
\ Sustained validity of "grain weigh
: ing act" which has saved the farmer
Y of Missouri at least $1,000,000 per an
mum.
a Successfully prosecuted "Lumbe
I trust case, securing INES aggfegat
ing $458, 900, largest fine ever secure
in this State.
t Public Service Commission
e Drafted Public Service Commissio
g law for presentation to Legislature
after making an extensive study @
s the Interstate Commerce Commissio
r Act and the Public Service Regulatio
0 laws of the various States. Appoint
n ed chairman of the Commission an
worked out the splendid and effectiv
organization of the Commission whic
is so fairly and economically handlin
the big problems presented to tn
Commission.
l. ----