River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1924-07-17
BLAINE JUGGLER, HIRST CHARGES
Threatens to Tear Lid of Governor )
Teapot Dome"
By Fred c. Sheasby
Milwaukee Journal Staff

AAAISy Juggling tHOIlGN
to the point of being the most ex-
travagant and wasteful administra-
ton in the states history, A. R.
Hirst, Madison, Republican candi-
date for governor, proved hard hit
ting campaigner in his opening
speech at Eagles hall Tuesday night.
The crowd cheered as he scored
Blaine for using his influence to de-
feat the investigation demanded by
Senator H. j. Severson in the last
legislature. Hirst announced that
before the campaigns end he will
lift the lid and give the people a
glimpse into Wisconsin's Teapot
Dome.
Hirst spoke to $50 members of the
Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs at
noon. Despite a band concert, a
good sized crowd turned out at
Eagles hall. Both audiences were
enthusiastic. Hirst considered it a
good start in his fight against Blaine.
Crowd Wants Facts
When Hirst said he would try to
debunk politics in Wisconsin and dis
cuss issues in the language of figures
and facts, someone in the crowd
shouted, "Good-let's have the facts"
Then he drew upon public records as
he discussed taxation and finances.
For one thing, he charged that the
expenditures of state government
had increased nearly 100000 in
the first two fiscal years of the
Blaine administration.
Turning to the possibility of "Tea-
pot" conditions at Madison, Hirst
said:
"For the first time in the history
of Wisconsin Republican governor
has fought with all his might a
movement to investigate his own adj
ministration, a movement proposed
not only by Republican but by a
member of his own group in the Re-
publican party.
Cites Parallel Case
Some years ago the present gov
ernor introduced a resolution in the
state senate to investigate the cleo
ton of United States senator, and
when the investigation was on and
he was criticized for not producing
more evidence, he replied that the in
vestigation was for the purpose of
getting the evidence and he simply
wanted to start the ball rolling.
When leaders of the progressive
group introduced a resolution in the
present legislature to in
numerous charges of scandalous
character which were floating around
the capitol affecting officials appoint
ed by the governor, he demanded that
the evidence be presented and fought
tooth and nail against the resolution
providing for an investigation and
beat it.
This is a spectacle that will not
down. If the acts of an administra-
ton are worthy and commendable,
the governor should invite investiga-
tions. If they are not, he can well
| fear it.
1--WE have before US the amazing
spectacle of the governor of this
state gloating over the Teapot in
vestigation at Washington and sit
ting on the lid of his own Teapot
Dome at Madison. Before this cam
paign is over 1 propose to lift that
lid and give the people of Wisconsin
glimpse into Wisconsin's Teapot
Dome.
"The present administration is the
most extravagant in the history of
Wisconsin, and the figures of the
state tax commission prove it," Hirst
declared. "The present administra-
ton has in the two years ending
June 80, 1923, spent 1921, 013 more
than the previous administration in
the two years ending June 80, 1921.
The receipts under the present adj
ministration in the biennium ending
June 80, 1923, were $12,757,335
more that the previous administra-
ton in the two years ending June 80,
1921"
Charges Juggling Policy
$50 far as the present admiristra-
tion is concerned, its policy has been
one of juggle, muddle and spend. A
great hue and cry was raised when
the Legislature was adjourned that
the appropriations had been cut ST.
100000 for the biennium. Analysing
this you will find that $885,O00 was
taken every year under the old law
for the general fund for road and
bridge purposes, and instead of TAX
ing it from the general fund the
motor vehicle license fees were in
creased and it is taken from the
same pocket, that of the people, but