The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-09
He RETURNS FIRE.
Fred Knapp Answers Aliens
Tax Challenge.
Points Out the Economy Plan
in Nebraska.

Fred Knapp, of Salina, former state
auditor who is a candidate for the Re
publican nomination for governor, has
issued a statement in which he chal-
lenged Gov. Henry J. Aliens attitude
on the tax question and in which he
compared the record of the present
Kansas Republican administration
with the record of Governor McKelvie,
q Nebraska.
Knapp took the broadside of Cover
nor Aliens attack when the latter on
Kansas Day severely criticised the
candidates seeking the Republican
nomination on tax reduction plat
forms. The governor openly and elo-
quently charged that such candidates
were lending aid to the Democratic
enemy and were playing the part OF
traitors to 1.-The Grand Old Party"
At the time Knapp returned hastily
fire for fire. But in Thursdays state
ment he came back with a heavy bonn
bardment of figures.
governor Aliens attitude towards
all who believe there should be a re-
duction in the cost of government and
his open attack upon every candidate
who is running for the Republican
nomination for governor upon a tax
reduction platform is in perfect accord
with the sneering attitude he took sew
eral months ago when State Auditor
Turner requested him to call an econ
omy conference" Knapp said he
is extremely busy branding all VINO
differ with him on this all-important
issue as red-card radicals, nonpartisan
leaguers, and Bolshevics, but before
the voters take him seriously they are
apt to do a little figuring on their
own account.
standing out as a striking contrast
10 this attitude is that of Governor
McKelvie, of Nebraska, who called the
legislature of that state together IN
special session to put over an economy
program, with the result that in nine
days and at a total cost of only $l5,-
600, the appropriations FOR the state
government were reduced $2,O51, 755.'
The sChair and Cot" Session.
Knapp then reviewed the famous
session of the legislature of 1903 when
expenses of the lawmakers totalled
$4,000 and when prominent mem
bers were given expensive presents
other members less expensive pres
ents. the pages knives and the speaker
of the house of representatives was
given his famous "chair and cot
.@The voters then did not adopt Gov
ernor Aliens favorite alibi method of
figuring out what each knife each
mage got cost each taxpayer on val
uation of a thousand dollars, but they
organized a Boss Buster" movement
which defeated a Republican governor
for denomination and split the Repub-
Hcan party for years" Knapp warned
The attitude of the governor was
contrasted with that of the national
administration. In this contrast
Knapp said:
ut is also worthy of note that i'm
mediately preceding Governor Allen 8
sneering attack upon practically all of
those who had announced themselves
as candidates for the Republican
nomination for governor at the bust
ness session of the Kansas Day club,
a telegram was read from Hon.
Charles Curtis in which he said: The
national administration is meeting
great questions of the day and solving
them. The greatest economy is being
practiced, and government expenses
are being greatly reduced. The new
revenue act reduces taxes $500, 100000
the first full year of it's operation