The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-05-30

true that i spent $l,237.66 OF the
states money for automobile hire
and repairs. etc. which item includ-
ed, by the way, the services of a
chauffeur and helper. TRAVELLING over
West Virginia with moving picture
artist for the purpose OF securing
the best scenes and exhibits, and |
defy my gentleman to 90 over the
same roads and make the same trips
into all the counties OF this state and
carry the same machinery and outfits
which was necessary in that case at
much less expense.
The Times article further makes
reference TO the payment OF a sum
of money to a Mr.. Wassels for a
formula for preserving fruit" and
says I'm View OF the fact that 1t Ia
general knowledge that the United
States government maintains a de.
partment and corps Of the finest ex-
perts to scatter this sort Of advice
and knowledge It looks mighty sus-
picous that the department OF this
state could not avail itself OF this ad-
vice, too" | am well aware that we
have thousands OF people IN West
Virginia. who can preserve fruits for
eating purposes and | am aware that
the federal government maintains
experts TO find out such matters.
do not doubt that the editors of the
Times or Gazette can put up air
tights" but this Is not the character
OF our work and wish TO say for the
benefit Of the editors Of the Times
and Gazette that | made thorough
investigation and say without fear OF
successful contradiction that there
was not at that time and so far as |
know, there IL not at this time any
formula in possession OF state or
federal departments OF agriculture
which have proven successful in the
preservation OF fruits and vegetables
retaining their natural color and APP
pearance. The only work of this
kind which has been successfully done
has been done by the Great North
ern Railway Company, and small
group OF people in the fruit section
Of California. who use the same for
mula and for the same purpose, the
most effective advertising in all the
world.
With proper encouragement West
Virginia is destined to be the lead
ing apple and peach producing state
on this continent, but it will require
some sensible advertising so that
the apple and peach consumers
throughout the world may know IT,
Anyone familiar with such preserva-
tives whereby oui fruit and vegeta-
bles may be preserved In natural
colors and conditions and shown in
our own and distant markets. The
article further states The depart
ment of agriculture paid S22l.51 of
the peoples money 10 send J B,
krak to Holland and further "Tru-
ly with the commissioner hiking
west to Frisco and Krak going to
Holland the department was repre-
sented both east and West" As
stated above the commissioner did
not Hike to Frisco" and as for Mr.
Krak, l may say that every editor
and most of the people whose mon
ey he spent have had opportunity to
know why Mr.. Iirak went to Eu-
rope. In the first place. he Is ma
tive Hollander and was sent by the
department without pay except ac-
tuel travelling expenses going and
coming. Mr. Krnk was sent to Hol-
land by thi5 department for the pur-
pose OF starting to this state an I'M
migration Of well educated, well
trained Holland dairymen and truck
ers. 1t being known TO most observ-
ing citizens that today the greatest
need in West Virginia is more and
better trained farm labor and permit
me to suggest. my dear editors. that
the efforts Of the department
through the agency Of Mr.. Krak, has
already abundantly reimbursed the
state for the said s221.5l and further
II the present commissioner is In
office when the war is over in Eu-
rope, he will again waste some OF
the peoples money sending some
one to Holland for the self same pur-
pose.
The article further makes some
insinuations that Other things can
and will be printed which may make
1t difficult for the present incumbent
to hold office, etc" / have always
had high regarc for the position
OF editor Of a great newspaper II
Is indeed y position of responsible
~ and great influence, but II the
editors of the Times and Gazette and
others will exercise as much thought
and honesty in the preparation OF
their articles rs the present commits
sioner Of agriculture has done in
the expenditure of peoples money
have no fears of my future reputa-
tton, and now contend that since
qou gentlemen have permitted the
Times article. >'hich is evidently in
tended to be Of sIanderous nature.
to appear in your columns, the only
honorable way TO deal with this
question is TO give this article the
same publicity and bear in mind
that have no fears OF the truth
concerning my record.