Weekly journal-miner., 1917-04-18
Continued From Page One)

(Signed) Thomas E. Campbell,
 Governor of Arizona. Thos. D. Shaughnessy, Secretary,
 State Fair Commission,
 Phoenix, Arizona.
 In reply l received the following from Mir Shaughnessy, under date of April 9th:
 Hon. Thomas E. Campbell,
 Governor of Arizona
 State House, Phoenix, Arizona.
 Sir: This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th inst. with re- ference to sale of concessions and to advise that same has been placed be fore the fair commission. Respectfully yours,
 T. D. Shaughncssy, Secretary.
 Learns of Contract.
 When ii become apparent that Messrs. Wood and Layton were dis posed to ignore my warning as to en, tering into such contracts, began to use such avenues of information as ] could command, and on the afternoon of Saturday, I learned that a con tract had been signed by the two commissioners with Royce. Secre- tary Shaughncssy, at my request, furnished me with the copy of the contract in the possession of his of fee. The contract is dated April 7, just three days after my instructions were sent. This was my first definite information that such an arrangement had been entered into.
 Considering it incompatible with my self-respect. and beneath the con tempt of the office to which the citi- zenry of Arizona has elected me, l shall not alludc to the childish de- mcanor of the officials in charge oi the fair grounds and their admins tration of the affairs of the State fair but I wish to go emphatically upon record here and now with the state ment that such use of State property at time when the State of Arizona and the United States are in the throes of a world conflict of unprcce- dentcd proportions, the most serious consideration of the expenditure of every dollar possessed by our people is a sacred responsibility.
 Believes Majority Condemns.
 Whatever the legal right of per son or company to operate such bet ting machines may be, am convinced that the morals of our people is such that a majority will condemn severely the use of State property for betting on horse racing.
 The fair grounds are accessible by rail, electric traction, and excellent highways, and because of their splen- did strategic advantages as mobili- ration center, together with the ac- commodations furnished by buildings for men and mounts. rendering them most advantageous, I have considered offer of the use of the same to the war department, if desired.
 This early announcement that l oppose the action of the commission, I feel is due to the people of Ari- zona, and anyone outside who might otherwise become an innocent inves- tor or concession-holder.
 I believe that no State should Of. fer the use of its property for such purpose while entreating its citizens to give their lives for their country's defense. It has too much the appear ance of providing the favoritism Of questionable frolic for some as against death for others.
 As business proposition-even ad- hitting for the same of argument that gambling is a good thing for State to encourage among its people-ten per cent of the gate receipts would be an insignificant return for the use all lowed, considering wear and tear on State property.
 My policy in keeping holders of appointive offices under the past ad ministration in power should have met at least with the meager respect of subdivision of their personal and party interests.
 This act of the fair commission, at tempting to tie the State of Arizona for a period far beyond the terms of their offices to an unconscionable contract, strains my patience to the breaking point, and am taking early means of effecting a change in the personnel of their offices.
 THOMAS F. CAMPBELL,
 Governor of Arizona.