The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-01-16
Craft Flags
Governor at
Farm Meet
Applause Creets Statements
of Farm Board Head
Cond e mn ing
Bryan.
" Is False to Farmer ;

Lincoln, Jan. l5.-DeClarinE that
Governor Bryan has formed habit
of making n lot of big noise and OF
pretending to be the farmers friend.
Charles Graft of Bancroft, prominent
democrat and president Of the Ne
braska board of agriculture, in an
address before that organization to-
day. denounced the governor and his
policies in unmeasured terms
CRAFTS denunciation came as
hombshell to The meeting, which had
been called to elect officers and hear
The secretary's report for the year
lust concluded, but was received with
prolonged handclapping.
Accusing the governor OF absolute
ly false and reckless statements
Graft said that it would be a crime
TO let them pass unnoticed.
There are people," he declared,
who pay more for taxes in the ag-
gregate than all the political job
hunters an dprofessional lobbyists
Governor Bryan couneiled with. For
that bunch to stand around and yell
Down with the taxes. has about
lun its course; playing this sort of
bunk is getting somewhat stale
Appropriations Ignored
His speech, in part. follows:
1.-THE urgent need for an appropria-
ton by the legislature was taken up
Ly our board early in the year with
Governor Bryan, and several con
ferenees held, but the final result
was that when the governor submit
ted his message to the legislature 1t
did not recommend a single dollar
for the state board Of agriculture.
"The same thing happened with
the appropriation for the eradication
OF bovine tuberculosis. championed
by the livestock breeders and all
far morganizations in this state.
Heaping insult on injury. the gov
ernor rushed into the press of this
state, calling those who championed
and fostered these appropriations, for
the sol ebenefit of agriculture.
small bunch of grafters, endeavoring
to raid the state treasury.
Fearing that the legislature might
not understand the situation, the
governor proceeded 10 crack the
party whip. threatening those of his
party with dire results should they
stray from the fold by disobeying his
command. TIE legislature, composed
of practical men selected from all
parts of the state, understanding the
situation and the vital Importance OF
these appropriations, proceeded to
pass these bills, and did so with suffi-
cient votes in both houses so that
under the new constitution they put
it out of the governors reach.
Makes big Noise"
"The governor has formed a habit
it seems, by making lot of big noise,
of pretending TO be the farmers
friend, but it is an evident fact that
he has made a mighty poor showing
10 prove it. 1t Is one thing for
governor to make uncalled for and
bombastic statements slandering those
who may differ with him. but entirely
another thing to prove these charges.
"If il were reduction of taxes the
governor had in mind in opposing
these appropriations requested FOR
maintenance fund for state property
on the state fair grounds, as well rs
the appropriation for tuberculosis
eradication, he has been, to say the
least. inconsistent. lie did not forget
TO slip an item into his budget re-
auesting an appropriation OF $lo,ooo
to eradicate the pesky dandelions and
sunflowers on the lawn of the' COVER
Gnor's mansion.
-" To many of us out over the state
that transaction smells to high
heaven, and it is difficult to under
stand the action of the members OF
the legislature in supporting this bill.
They perhaps felt that $4,000 of the
states money might be a good invest
ment used in that way to help change
the entire program two years hence.
Plays Politics.
Perhaps you doubt the wisdo moi
vour president I'm touching upon this
matter in such blunt form; perhaps
plain barnyard language Is little out
of order: but it is the only form
have in presenting the facts. and 1t is
cold. facts herein recorded; also
think the people will at least give me
credit for presenting them in an un-
derstanding way. Forty years | have
been resident of this state, engaged
in agriculture. have held many posi-
tions of public trust, and believe ! am
i'm fairly good position from past
experience to know something about
the trials and hardships the man out
-, tlo farm has ia endure
when aman, even though he hap
pens to be governor of a great state,
gets reckless with the truth | would
almost consider it crime to let II
pass unnoticed. If there is anything
in public life | detest, It is one who
cannot restrain himself. when elevat-
I'd to a position of public trust, from
using that position to political parti-
san advantage. TO say that those
affiliated with an opposing political
party also do this Is no defense for
his action, and this Is one Of the sins
Governor Bryan has committed.
Statements False.
1T would also seem quite unreason.
able to think that all the farm or
Examinations OF this state would enter
into a combine with the big packers
pnd then proceed. to make a raid on
the state treasury. Such absolutely
false and reckless statements are will
ful slander upon the thousands OF In