The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-07-27
ATKINSON WON'T
EXPLAIN FRISCO
DEAL TO CROWD
Refuses to Permit DR.. VOr-
beck to Ask if He is Tool
of Interests.
WANTS THE DRAINAGE
SCHEME PROTECTED
says New Constitution Must
Prevent Suits Against Little
River Promoters.

John Morgan Atkinson last night
closed his gubernatorial campaign in
Cape County when he spoke in the
Courthouse Park and refused to listen
Or reply to questions bearing on his
attitUed toward the Frisco Railway re-
organization and other big cinch cor
poratiOns.
He espOused the cause of the Little
River Drainage District and his speech
virtually reprimanded the County
Court of this county for undertaking
TO save the taxpayers 100000, money
to be spent in building bridges to cross
the main diversion channel of tie
drainage district.
He declared that such action by the
County Court was one of the prime
reasons for a new constitution for
Missouri, so that it could be fixed to
preclude any possibility of opposition
in the courts to the drainage scheme.
Mr.. Atkinson was talking about the
Mexican war and the issues that have
confronted President Wilson, when
Dir. ]. c. Vorbech rose and asked his
permission to PROFOUND a question
bearing on Missouri politics and is
sues.
NJ. Atkinson attempted to avoid a
question by continuing his speech at
random. Dr.. Vorbeck got his attention
when he cried:
Il want to ask a question"
Il viii answer your questions aft
CT 4 while" replied Mr.. Atkinson and
he continued his discourse. His speech
Was Efief ana SHORTLY aftcrward he an
nounccd that ne was finishing. He was
expected to invite questions then, out
instead he closed his remarks with
bow that took him to the rear end of
The platform.
Russell Dcarmont, in moving PIC
tut show fashion; tf'amped the Id
on questions by jumping to his feet
AID shouting: The meeting is ad-
journcd. Good night
DR.. Vorbeck was asked last night
what were the questions he had III
tended 10 ask Mr.. Atkinson and he told
The Tribune they were:
u. While you were chairman
OF the Missouri Public Service
C,laaoission, why dad you sanction
the Frisco Railroad reorganization
with no provision fer the payment
of claims OF unsecured judgment
creditors?
-. Sam Lazarus, who IS enc Of
the big owners OF the Frisco Rail
road, and Judge Moses Sale, who
owns 1000 shares OF stock in the
Frisco, are both actively interest
ed in the management Of your
candidacy for Governor-do you
approve OF this?
adviser Of the Light and Develop
mcnt Company, Il public utility
corporation with lighting and gas
franchises in a number of Mis-
souri, cities, Is actively engaged in
promoting your campaign for
GovernOr-do you approve Of
this?
Il. Have you made any prom
isos 10 protect the interests that
are gouging the people, if you are
elected Governor"
In the early part of his address, Mr..
Atkinson outlined as one of the prime
ssuos to confront Missouri, the for
nation and adoption of a new state
lie described the present cOnstitu-
ion as an Instrument drawn q years
'go in day when drainage districts
we're not known and he declared that
he 45-year old constitution leaves
oop-holes through which Jie drainage :;
chene may be opposed in the courts.
"3. l. r. Kelso, the chief legal
Cape County has a suit pending 10 n
make the drainage district pay for .
100000 wort Of bridges rather than
II the taxpayers of the county. q
ions and city police reform and closed .
y including his church utilization as d :,
recommendation for his candidacy. W
81 believe in the principles of Dem e
crazy as faithfully as believe in the p,
rinciples Of the Presbyterian Church, n
e said. 81 am a member of the ii
Presbyterian Church" In,
Virtually no demonstration followed il
is speech and he departed last night
Y auto to Charleston. or
Opposition to the drainage district h
aould be effectually blocked by the of