The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-17

In reference to the Topeka Cap
itars first page story this morning to
the effect that the owner of the State
Journal had refused to subscribe to
the L. & T. stock, this explanation is
proba bly, due:
1t is probably the first time there
was ever put up to the owner of the
State Journal a proposition, having
bearing on the progress of the city
and the welfare of its citizens to
which he refused to make a cash con-
tribution.
Mr.. MacLennan, who is down at
Camp Funston today on business for
Trench and Camp, which he publishes.
it might be stated, is perhaps the
largest contributor in Topeka to war
activities.
In regard to the Leavenwortt &
Topeka subscription, Joel r. Bur-
row, e H. Crosby, w. H. Davis and
o. b. Cutler came to MIR. MacLennar1 n
some time ago, urging him TO sub
scribe $500 for the L. & T. road Mr..
MacLennan's reply, it is known. was
in substance as follows:
We'll gentlemen, while the State
Journal is doing everything possible
to save this road to the residents along
the line and for the benefit of Topeka
as well, I cannot and will not contri-
or any other enterprise in which G.
H Trapp is chairman of the re-or-
ganization committee and who is in
charge, according to the advertise
ments he has printed in the papers,
of the movement. If you gentlemen
desire to put up $500, or any sum in
money, it is all right with me and
hope the road may be kept from be-
ing junked, but under the circum-
stances, you cannot count upon me Tor
any financial offerings in this con-
nection."
Under a caption, Refused to Print
Peoples Side" the Topeka morning
newspaper today accused the State
Journal of holding up a statement by
W. A. Johnson in answer to Orr's
charge as printed in the early editions
Tuesday.
Nothing could be more absurd than
A charge of this character The state
ment was received at about forty min
utes before the last form lis made up
on the State Journals home edition.
This is the time of day that important
local and telegraph news clogs the
hooks and necessitates careful editing
that the readers may enjoy the real
vital news of the day.
The johnson answer was marked
"wednesday and placed on the copy
hook. There was no intention of
Withholding it, as the morning paper
insinuates. The State Journal, being
of lawful age and sound mind, deter
mines its own course in the handling
the news of a rush day. Its course
is not determined by the frantic eff
forts of any one certain self appointed
defender of the peoples rights.
In today's issues-just as outlined
the State Journal prints Mr.. Johnson's
statement in full. 1t is published even
tho two of the vitality important ques-
tions in the controversy are not men,
ioned.
Johnson does not mention nor seek
to answer the statement made by Orr
from the records of the United States
district court. That is the charge of
double crossing the L. & T. patrons
Orr says the court records show that
following the purchase of the l.. e. T
road for the patrons, Fred S. Jackson
an appointee of Governor Cappers S
and attorney for johnson and his as
sociates. asked for a modification of
the court decree. That modification
would permit the sale of the road
But Mr.. Johnson doesn't mention that
matter in his statement. Neither does
he mention or seek to refute Orr's
statement to the effect that the public
was deceived to the attitude of
Leavenworth investors. Orr says the
Public was informed that Leavenworth
was behind the project to the extent
of 10000. while in fact George w.
Hanna, a Clay Center banker. pro-
vided the money after a talk with
Topeka men.
However. this is a controversy be-
tween Orr and Johnson, and can re-
main as such as far as the State Jour-
nal is concerned. If any light may be
thrown on the subject that will be of
real honest value to the patrons along
the line of the L. & r. the State Jour
nal will be glad to enter the arena
Otherwise. johnson and Orr may have
the stage to themselves. What they
think of each other isn't worth the
space in the public print. anyway.
The johnson Statement.
The Johnson statement was ad-
dressed to the editor of the State Jour
nal. and follows:
Your article published in today's noon
4 (Couliuued ON Page Two,