The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-03
KANSAS WANTS THE FACTS.

The State Journal deliberately
charged that the government sent
arthur T. Bagley, chief of investiga-
tors for this district, to Topeka, to in
quire concerning an. obstruction of the
administration of justice thru the
holding of disloyaTty letters sent to
Governor Capper. 1t charged that
Governor Capper and Fred Voiland
directed the handling of these letters,
Voiland was appointed by the council
of defense at the instance of the gov
ernor.
To the charges the governor and Mr..
Voiland allege politics" and childishly
urge "pro-Germanism." Herewith the
State Journal reiterates the charge
that Bagley came here to conduct an
investigation. The governor and Mr..
Voiland say there has been no investi-
cation.
Very well.
The government records are closed
to inspection by this paper. They are
closed to the general public. 1t is a
well founded, time honored federal
custom.
But possibly those records can be
produced. Certainly, if the statements
ot Governor Capper and Mr.. Voiland
are correct, no one should be more
anxious to open them to the public.
Certainly a war governor, who says he
prides himself on keeping Kansas 100
per cent patriotic, will be most willing
to go to any length to give his people
his zeal to maintain a proud record in
war activities. will cooperate.
Consequently the State Journal
herewith requests Governor Capper
and Mr.. Voiland to publicly join this
paper in urging the department of JUS
tice in Washington to release all re-
ports made by Mr.. Bagley to his chiefs
concerning his trip to Topeka. The
State Journal-in order that the pub
lie may know it all-proposes also that
Governor Capper and Mr.. voiland join
this paper in securing from the depart
ments the privilege of publishing the
correspondence leading up to this in
vestigation.
Should trouble be encountered in Sc
curing the Bagley report and the cor
respondence even under the above
plan. the State Journal offers anoth-
er suggestion. This paper is possibly
able to meet any reasonable civil 5udg-
ment. Consequently it proposes that
in event the department of justice re-
fuses to release the records, that Gov
r civil action against this paper for
damages for libel. Under a subpoena
from a Kansas court, there is little
doubt that any records may be
br ought into court.
OF course if there are no records,
Governor Capper ana Mr.. Voiland
have nothing to fear. If there has been
no investigation, certainly these men
have been most unjustly accused. In
such case they would be entitled to
and should receive public apology at
the hands of the State Journal.
The question of the investigation
has caused a sensation in Kansas. No
broad, fearless war governor should
tolerate the insult If the charge be
based on idle gossip, rumor or-as the
governors own paper says-politics
ard pro-Germanism. Friends. neigh
bors and business and political asso-
ciates of Governor Capper and Mr..
voiland have been insulted If the
charges are groundless. Surely Gov
ernor Capper and Mr.. Voiland will en-
ter into a stipulation with the State
Journal in order to bring these facts
officially before the public.
People of Kansas want to know.
They have a right to know.
Gentlemen, what is your pleasure?