The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-04-19
WILL BROWN
GET I STATE
ROAD JOB?
Former Treasurer Has Power
full influences at Work
for Him

Whether Matt Brown, Lake county
politician and former office hoioer,
shall succeed Lawrence Lyons. Gov
ernor McCray's former campaign
manager, to the $4,000 year job as
director OF the state highway depart
ment has become serious question
in the minds OF the state highway
commissioners, It was learned Mon
day. Browns friends are among
those who are in high places In the
state administration and despite
movement TO have the department
headed by some one other than a
politician Il Is understood that pow
erful influences are bearing on the
commission to have Brown chosen.
1t had been reporte5 that John l.
williams, now auditor for the COM
mission and a man OF long expert
ence in state affairs, would be Sc
lected for the post.
When the matter of selecting
director for the department came up
soon after Governor McCray tooS
office. he named Mr.. Lyons, although
the law says the commission shall
select the director. 1t is known
that some OF the commission do not
believe they should be pressed now
to select Mr.. Brown or any other
politiiian.
DUFFEY WRITES LETTER
Luke w ,Duffay, one OF the auth
ors Of the state highway law. Is
among those who are opposing the
selection OF a politician. He said
that OF all things the director
should not be q man backed by ma
terial or contracting interests be-
cause when the department func-
tions tt should do so from the stand
point OF serving the taxpayers and
that the board should leave il TO
the contractors TO drive the bargain
from their viewpoint. In letter
to tho commission. Mr.. Dufey said:
Having had my attention called
by friends OF the state road depart
rnent to the demand made from Lake
county in behalf OF Mr.. Brown by
the original enemies of the highway
commission law, feel in view of
the desire and necessity for lower
taxes, that 10 surrender control in
to the laps OF such men would be a
serious mistake.
As Indiana was one of the last
states In the Union to create a road
department. II was able to realize
in a most wholesome way on the OBJ
Jectionable experience of other
states. without interference or
suggestion from the many other in
teresys in the cause os good roads.
you have lun tho department in a
clean. businessllke. efficient and
nonpolitical way, attracting the at
tention Of the entire country with
your effectiveness in public service.
ALL WRONG, HE SAYS
IT cannot appreciate a reason for
your permitting the old line enc
mics Of the law now to name any cf
it's administrators. The question
OF their control coming from this
element, identified as contracting
and kindred interests who always
deal with every constructive act of
the board is all wrong. They are
by all rules Of sound business and
trade. pitted en- the opposite side OF
the peoples interests. They are
there for he express purpose of
driving the best bargain possible |
for themselves and their concerns.
For this rea son, many of the de- |
partments friends arc apprehensive /
OF some bad admins strativc history |
being written by this, tho greatest |
cash disbursing agency OF the state |
government.
IT Is remembered that Senator |
Nedjl and Senator Brown, Mr..
Browns brother, who now are seek |
Ing his control of the department, /
were most formidable contenders |
for Joiers and weakening amend !
ments to the measure in the ses-
sions of both II and of 10. As [
proof that their affiliation was bad. |
they shouted loudest for local con |
troll and home rule and were the last /
10 yield on the proposition that IT |
was a primary function of state
government to classify, construct.
control and maintain state roads. No I
public organization created for the /
general good can function efficient
" If its activities are handicapped
by public doubt or a d.srupting pow
er within.
II hope that from the other s5
per gent Of the state interested in
the early Development of your stem
line road system. you will be able
TO choose a twentieth century di-
rector"