The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-01
'sGRAHAN NETTING.

Charging that his enemies are
centering every possible effort to-
ward his defeat on account Of his
untirtng activities q chairman Of
The congressional committee inves-
flgating war expenditures. and
which, he claimed, has uncovered
mcnstrous extravagances. Con-
gresssnan W. J. Graham told Of .
portion OF the discoveries to the
large audience Of men and women
who beard him speak at the arm
DRY Saturday night.
Deelaring that he earned the en-
nifty ~ all Democrats from the
leaders Of the administration down
to evpry part Of the rank and file
that has become acquainted with
the pbrtent Of the work Of the COM
mittee on investigation Of war ex-
pend4pres. the speaker charged
that the Fourteenth district has
been Invaded by strong influences in
view ,of forestalling his reelection.
He asserted at the opening OF his
talk that he had conducted a clean
campaign and had at no time gone
into personalities, but stated that
It was necessary for him to reserve
the right to answer In full to all
untrue statements made against
him.
Taking up the major portion Of
his talk with telling about the way
he fulfilled his duties during the
term Of representation OF the vot-
err OF the Fourteenth district. the
I speaker ended with defense
against what he termed to be the
untruths deliberately told by his op-
ponent, Andrew Olson. In view of
misleading the voters.
Congressman Graham denounced
Olson as man telling deliberate
falsehoods in his eagerness to carry
out the Democratic intent Of defeat
ing the Republican candidate at all
costs.
Reading from a published report
Of charges made against him by Mr..
Olson, the speaker dwelled upon
each charge and explained them
away to the evident satisfaction Of
the audience.
II have never felt called upon at
any time in my political career to
treat an opponent other than as a
gentleman" the speaker said.
81 However. disregarding the f""t
that never before have I been call
ed upon to go into personalities, 1t
Ii now time that l avail myself of
the unquestionable right TO make
answer to the untruths being told.
My opponent says that | pride my
self on my record as chairman of
the committee investigating war
expenditures. but that l have not
told the people all the details in
: connection with the investigation.
III He says that l have failed to tell
the people that the commander-in-
chief of the American army was
and Is Republican: that Charles
G. Dawes, head Of the department
which made all purchases and ex-
penditures for the army overseas.
was and is Republican.
HE also says that he can name
nine staunch Republicans from his
home town Of Moline who were
called by the administration tc
places Of authority in the purchase
Of supplies and in constructive
work for the army. He says that
he does not believe that his home
town men are dishonest or cor
rupt. want to tell this audience
tonight that Mr.. Olson is correct
In his belief. At no time has my
! committee cast reflection upon
the men from Moline who were
called to serve the government in
time OF war. ! can 60 even farther
and say that not man from the
Fourteenth congressional district
Of Illinois was ever found by my
committee to have done other than
to conduct his duties in the most
approved manner.
~ to the factories. can tell
you that Deere & CO. and Root &
Van Der WORT had no cost-plus
contracts with the government
These two concerns handled their
work on straight contracts and for
them ! can say there was no goug-
ing 81 the government, which is
another thing for which this dis
trict can be proud.
you will remember that all
powers went by act OF congress to
tho Democratic president during
the time of war.
President Authorized Contracts.
"All cost-plus contracts, all
things bought or sold. were carried
out fy men appointed to carry out
this power Of the president.
Now. my opponent says that
voted against measure that was
an instruction to my committee to
submit resolution to the house
specifying all persons, firms anil
corporal ons, which in the judg-
ment of the said comm .ttee, should
to Investigated by the attorney gen.
eral In view of beginning civil or
criminal proceedings.
Il want to tell the people OF the
4 Fourteenth district that most car-
Sa!nly id vote against that instruc-
ton TO my committee. which was
put forth by Congressman Dore-
mus Of Michigan, who is Demo-
,crnt. The Democrats on my COM
mittee were continually putting
forth efforts to stop the work ol
the committee. and the effort mace
) 70 have the house instruct my COM
I Gittee to name the persons. firms
and corporations which. in the
judgment Of my committee should
be Investigated by the attorney gen.
e-al, was only another Of these ef-
forts.
Punish Them All.
II want you to perceive that the
.sasnlstfion aakad my cnnnsnittno "a