The Detroit times., 1917-04-07
GROESBECK
ACTIVITY
CRITICIZED
Acknowledgement De-
MES He's Playing
Politics In Office
ISSUES REPLY
TO ATTACKS
Says He's Not ION
Outs" With Gov.
ernOr Sleeper
BY W. l.. CALN0N
STAFF Correspondent Detroit Times)

lStoH COFTcbpCHucHt bcEOh AN"DoJ
LANSING. Mich, April THE &C
tivity OF Attorney General 0ro~s-
beck in legislative matters during
the present session was used by
United States Senator William Al
den Smiths newspaper. the Grand
Rapids Herald. yesterday. as Gn in
Ulcation that Groesoeck intends 10
shy hts hat into the ring for the
governorship and run against Gov.
Sleeper when the latter comes up
next year for a second term.
The Herald played up story 10
The effect that Groesbeck is 'rlot-
ting to displace GOV. Sleeper" and Is
seeking the limelight in every Tossi-
Bile way IN the legislature.
Mr. Groesbeck was more than
neeved when he read the Herald's
article diagnosing. the way IL
did, his legislative endeavors. He
was angercd and drew up the fol
lowing statement "a a reply 10 the
Herald
since January nrst. when be-
ca me attorney general I have been
busy discharging the duties OF that
office, without any reference TO poll
ties whatever or to political prefer
ment. Ny relations with the govern
or have ben most cordial and
friendly. I have never had In mind
or considered running for his job or
the United states senatorship.
The article in the Grand Rapids
Herald was probably inspired by both
a a. ia A..
oh lect Is To- secure favorable legisla-
ton FOR the Michigan Telephone COM
pany.
They evidently ngure that talk ~
this nature viii result IN securing for
them "A deadlock I'm tho legislature
which will rebound 10 their boucnt
How well they viii succeed. the fu-
ture will disclose.
The state at present needs the CO.
operation OF all It's state officers In
the interest or the public. and for
one have been advocating such CO.
operation from the time I took office.
There is no truth IN the story
printed IN the Grand Rapids paper
The attorney generals activity In
regard to various matters before the
legislature. several Of which came
up thru the medium ~ bills drawn
ir Grocsbecks once, has been the
subject OF comment for snmo tiino
in capitol circles. In fact II has be
come customary 10 speak OF Tho
Groesbeck Legislative program
Usually IL is only the governor n
the state who has airy Legislative
Program" outside the men be-s Of
the legislature themselves. Tho gov
tinor Is supposed. under the .onSli.
tuition, to recommend any legislation
he deems necessary.
The fact that the attorney gen.
raj drew up and advocated tho con
slitutional amendment 10 purchase
he D., c. II & NJ railroad and &C.
give cities the right 20 own and
operate telephone companies. that
nc backed up the municipal court
hill and other measures, and that he
announced that he would hght The
railroad rate bill. combined 20 Ecep
him In the public eye in connection
with legislation.
The deduction ~ the Grand Rap
ids Herald was he was stealing the
governors thunder and that he had
bis eve on the governorship. with
the possibility that he would even
fight Gov Sleepers second tern,
campaign
The latest effort IN a legislative
way from the attorney generals
once has been movement TO r..
surrect the Martin-Stewart hill
amending the workmen's compensa
ton law. There havn been repeated
statements that lineup has been
achieved in the senate 70 pass mis-
bill. once killed. but ister reSonsid
cred so that II would not stand IA
the way OF another bill, and left on
the table However. opponents OF
the bill say they arr confident It win
stay beaten.
Naturally. those opposed 10 the
various legislative efforts ~ Groes
beck have not only en1eavcrcd 90
impede the progress ~ his bills. but
have read into his activities a polit
zeal program. The latter idea has
had the friends cf Gov. sirrper fooF-
ing askance. but they have only kept
tab on what was going on. not wish
ing TO stand In tho way of leyisls
ton TINT WAS wanted BY senate and
house members.
The "GrOesbeck program" got two