The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1920-10-19
BENNION ADMITS
FALSE STATEMENT
in ADVERTISEMENT
Tells of Unverified Allegation
Made in Open Letter to
Charles X. Mabey.
TT ARDEN BENNION, Democratic
secretary of state, was "called

TT ARDEN BENNION, Democratic
secretary of state, was "caled
on the carpet" Saturday after
noon in Salt Lake by members of the
Republican state central committee
and compelled to admit that he had
made misstatements in letter he had !
written assailing Charles II. Mabey, |
Republican candidate for governor
Mr. Bennion In admitting that his
letter did not state the facts, said he
had been supplied with misinforma-
ton by fellow members of his party. |
On the strength of their unverified /
statements he had signed for publica-
ton In the Salt Lake newspapers !
letter which he now admits did not |
set forth the facts
Mr.. Bennlon had taken exception to
Mr.. Mabeys statement that the state
had loaned $4,000 to the town of
Orem. Mr.. Bennon had said II was
only $GO000. The fact, as admitted
~ the Republican state committee by
Mr.. Bennion. Is that the state land
board loaned 100000 and the state in
dustrial commission loaued $4,000.
In his letter Mr.. .Bennion declared
that when the loan from the state land
board to the town of Orem was ap-
proved "all legitimate demands from
the farmers had been met" When
called by the Republican State cen.
tlal committee he admitted that when
the first reQuisition OF 100000 for part
OF the 100000 was drawn on July 10,
1920, there were on file In the office
Of the state land board 1893 applica-
tons for loans from farmers In vari-
GUS parts Of the State.
In his letter MIR. Bennion had stated
that "at the close Of Governor Spry's
term Of office Utah was indebted and
bonded to the constitutional limit"
When interviewed by the committee
he admitted that the constitutional
limit at that date on the states as-
sessed valuation Of $685., 100000 was
$7,9SOOOO. He admitted that the total
bonded debt on December 81, 1919,
was ~, S6O,OOO and the temporary loan
debt $4O0OOO. making total Of
&S,20O0OO. He admitted that there
was on hand In the sinking fund in
cash and securities $303,077.95. leav-
ing total Indebtedness of $2,956,-
9e2.O5. which was $5,O23,O77.9 short
Of the constitutional limit.
Mr.. BenniOn had declared that only
$1,000 Of the $4,000 appropriated to
the governor and popularity known as
the 100 to l shot," was expended,
turned to the state treasury. When
shown the books Of the state auditor
he admitted that they show $13,395.O0
was spent from this appropriation.
In his now notorious letter. Mr.. ben
MON had declared that "the Demo
cratic administration has cleared off
$46O,OO0 of the States Indebtedness"
When confronted with the figures he
admitted that he had concealed the
fact that Of this amount 1903, or 80
was provided by the Republican adj
ministration, being on hand in cash
and securities when the Democratic
administration went into office in Jan
uary, 1917.
Mr.. BenniOn had made the state
ment that "GOvernor Bamberger will
turn over to his successor no floating
debt whatsoever" When waited on by
the Republican committee he admitted
the truth of a report made by Joseph
Ririe, state auditor, to the governor at
the close Of business May ~, 1920,
showing that on March 81, 1921, there
will be deficit OF 1901, 271.16 above
all estimated receipts.
Mr.. Benn.On had said In his letter
that "the $8,OOO,OO0 bond issue Ia In no
way burden upon the general tax
payer" He admitted to the Republic
an state central committee that the
motor vehicle fees for 1919, which go
into this fund, were S2s9.3l I 80, from
which must be deducted $4,000, his
own suggestion for the cost Of this do
pariment. He admitted that, COM
mencing In 1923, II will be necessary
TO set aside for interest and sinking
fund to take care of these bonds, the
sum of $500 600 annually.
In his letter, Mr.. Bennion said the
State Public Utilities Commission "by
single act has saved the state many
times its cost" When asked to ex-
plain he was unable to specify that
"single act" or to show how all OF Its
acts put together have saved the state
treasury the 100000 placed at the
commissions disposal, or any part
OF II.
In his letter, Mr.. Bennlon quoted
Mr. Mabey as saying that forty
eight new boards or commissions
have been created during the present
four-year term of Governor BAN
berger" Mr.. Mabey never made any
such statement, so Mr.. Benni0n again
admitted that he had been In the
wrong.
Mr.. Bennion was obviously embar-
raised in the presence OF the Repup-
A