Evening star., 1925-10-25
FERGUSON FIGHT
LOOMING IN TEXAS
Woman Governor Meeting
Same Sort of Row That
Her Husband Met.
~ chs Consolidated Press.

AUSTIN, Tex, October 24.-Texas
again Is in Ferguson political
ferment Farmer Jim" himself was
the leading figure in scandals of nine
years, resulting in his impeachment
and removal from the governor
chair. Today, his wife, who ran for
governor last year because her hus-
band, under the terms OF his impeach-
ment, could not run and to vindicate
him, is the leading figure.
Wife and husband. governor and eX-
governor. they are defying their en-
Anaies today just as they did nine
years ago--only they lost their fight
then and the outcome OF the present
one still is in doubt
Demand for a special session Of the
J>eRts's -Ure, demand for a sweeping in
iSY| cation Of all State departments,
denx-Si for ~rand :. - action, rumors
ugly rumors about mlsmanagement
and extravagance-thus far have been
practically unnoticed by the States
woman governor and her husband, the
deposed governor. Only once have
they spoken about the special session
demanded. They said there would be
no special sessions.
Rumors Cnheeded.
Go to the grand jury with your
charges" they said in formal state
ment from the governors mansion.
IF there Is guilt, then that body can
indict and bring to trial."
Otherwise, they declared the rumors
would go unheeded.
But, in the meantime, the young at
torney general Of the State. Dan
Moody, who won his spurs through
successful prosecution Of Ku K1ux
iS
his work with the Travis County
grand jury-calling legislators. former
Ferguson appointees and road con-
tractors for questioning.
The present agitation centers
around the highway commission.
most powerful of the State boards.
Into its hands has been entrusted
about $40 O,000,0 600 for building. I'm
proving and maintaining highways.
The three members are appointees of
Mrs. Ferguson. But, present at their
deliberations, both open and secret,
has been Farmer Jim"
Contracts have not always been
awarded to the lowest bidder. Con-
tractors themselves first began to
charge this. Then the attorney gem
eral attacked the practice. Chair
man Lanham Of the highway COM
mission admitted 1t. but said the low
est bid was not always the best bid
and. therefore, the lowest bidder did
not always get the job.
Clan1er for Special Session.
The attorney general demanded to
Oee the minutes Of the commission to
know about the contracts with vari-
Gus companies and to examine their
expenditures. Hot words and hotter
statements were issued by both sides
until finally Gov. Ferguson stepped
into the controversy and ordered the
payment of money on road work
stopped until further notice.
In the meantime. a clamor has
arisen over the State for special ses-
sion Of the legislature to investigate
the rumors and charges about the
highway commission and. perhaps. to
curtail its powers. Mrs. Ferguson has
answered that there will be no special
session, at least at her CALL This
leaves the session question entirely in
the hands of Speaker Satterwhite of
the lower house. who has indicated
his willingness to convene the law
makers If the woman Governor con-
tinues to decline to act.
But she should do It," Speaker Sat
terwhite says. ''as the rumors concern
her appointees."
Extravaganza is the prime charge
against the commission. The fight,
which resulted in the unseating of
Jim Ferguson nine years ago, started
in the highway department and over
the use Of funds.
The fight on his wife, who ran for
ONCE Just to vindicate him, has begun
in the same place.