The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-11
Think LYONS
WILL NOT Be
ROAD HEAD
Political Wiseacres Say He
Needs Time for Personal
Interests and for Participa-
ton in Coming Campaign.
Appointments PUZZLE

ue ldlh udS DeeQ persistent III lne
last week that Lawrence Lyons, of
Brook, will not be appointed director
of the state highway commission.
This development is surprising in view
of the fact that ever since the elec-
tion it has been understood that MI.
Lyons. who was one of the Governor
McCrays campaign managers, would
get a good position in the state gov
ernment.
The gossip has been right along.
hat two men above all others would
be taken care of-Mr. Lyons and Fred
B. Robinson, of Indianapolis. Robin
son has already been appointed secre-
tary of the state purchasing commits
sion, and the directorship of the state
highway commission is about the only
really good job left within the appoint
ing power OF the governor.
AS far as the matter of money goes
it is not understood that MI. Lyons
stands in need of the job. The di-
rectorship pays $4,000 year, but If
properly handled it requires full time
work, and Mr.. Lyons has many pri-
vate interests to demand his attention
He has extensive farming connections
and also is identified with many in
dustries, some of which are organized
for the manufacture of road building
material.
Might Cause Criticism.
Since he is connected with road
building material industries, his ap-
pointment to a position where he in Il
manner would direct the states road
building might lead to criticism. But
there is no reason to believe the gov
ernor would hesitate to appoint him
on that account. Considerable criti-
cism on political grounds was made
against the appointment of Mr.. Robin.
son, but Governor McCray gave his
friends to understand that he was de-
termined to give the appointment to
Robinson and that they could make
the best of it or words to that effect
1t is believed, therefore, if there is
ultimate failure to appoint Lyons 10
the highway directorship 1T Will not
be due to Governor McCray's personal
disposition in the matter. Two other
explanations are made by the poiitfeai
wjsearces One is that Mr. Lyons. dc
sires all of his time for his private en-
terprises and the other is that some
RenubIjcans believe that Mr.. Lyons
services in connection with the Re'
o,blican state organization may be
useful in the coming campaign: AS 10
lust what connection he would have
with the state organization there
seems to be no information. But it is
true that if he administered the Of
fee of director of the highway COM
mission properly he would not have
much time 10 give to politics.
Thinks Burch Favorite.
In case Lyons is not appointed, 1t Is
the best opinion that the place will go
10 Alvin T. Burch Of Evansville.
Several others are talked Of and plea
for the appointment of E. c. Mlsner,
head of the Terre Hauta AutOmoblle
association has been made. But the
best informed believe that Burch Will
get the place if Lyons is not appointed
Purcn is a business man of experience
and is connected with a number OF
important industries in his home city
The governor it is said is impressed
with Burch's ability and has lntenoed
right along to make him member OF
the highway commission even though
he might not appoint him as director
The governor 1t is understood proposes
to have in charge of the highway com
mission men in whom he can place
the fullest dependence
II was understood today that the
governor would soon find third mem
Der for the state tax board. The fax
t.oard although it is engaged In an
important session is now running
along so to speak on two cylinders
The present members are Maurice
Douglas and Phillip Zoecher, and OF
these two. Mr.. Zoecher alone has had
experience on the board. Since the
TX question has been one Of the live
ND nT
account Of the proposed tax amend
ments to be voted on at the special
election on September. may continue
to be live issue. the Governor Is con
siderably worried about the personnel
of the tax board.
Gets in Trouble.
When soon after the election the
qovernor said he pronosed to remove
Phillip Zoercher the Democratic mem
Ter Of the tax board. he probably did
rot realize how much trouble he would
have in getting men to take places on
the boa rd 1t is known that in the last
week the governor has conferred with
a nuTher Of men whom he regarded
as satisfactory for the board but he
vas rot able to get any Of them to
tpke the appointment. Refusal il is
aid was not due in any manner to a
feeling that the present state admini
ctration might not prove succe~sful OF
10 any advarsion to working with Gov
crnor McCrav. All of the men ar
rroached felt It is said that thev could
not sacrifice their private interests and
,,rdert AXE the hard work in connection
with the board for the money they
would receive. The salary is $4,000 a
Eear
The tendency Of Governor McCray
10 appoint men who have supported
him In the past has excited some com
ment Some Republicans are saying
that this course is not wise politically
ard that it will merely serve to keer
alive differences that arose during the
governors campaign for nomination
1t is said. however. to be the attitude
Of the governor that there should be
no question about the LOYALTY of the
men who are to help him carry or
the states business. He does not pro
pose, it is said. to have anything ir