The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-07-27
INSULTS TRIUMPH

Whv did the supporters of Pepper, Ware and
Pinchot spend SO in Pennsylvania to nominate
one candidate for United States Senator?
That's one question the Senate investigating
committee didn't answer The country doesn't know
whv the Mellon group spent nearly 100000 in
vain effort to renominate Senator Pepper. I IL
doesn't know why nearly $1,OOo,OOO was spent to
nominate Ware ~
And, it won't make much difference how much
money was spent in the Illinois primary unless that
question is answered-why are millions spent to
nominate a candidate for United States Senator?
OF course, Senators may work up vigorous in
dignation and refuse to seat Ware. They have the
right to keep him out or throw him out. But IL
won't mean anything, for the Governor OF Pennsyl
vania will appoint Senator to take his place, ana
that means that the Mellon interests will get the
Senator even though they defeated at the prl-
mary. For their candidate for Governor was nomi-
mated.
In this Illinois investigation, it is more impor-
tant to Brd out why the big power combine, headed
by Samuel insult, used money and influence to nomi-
nate Frank L. Smith for Senator than to find out
how much they spent.
Does any one think the Mellon group spent ST.
100000 to nominate Pepper merely because they
thought Pepper would faithfully represent all Of
the people of Pennsylvania in the United States
Senate?
Does anybody think the financial group, headed
by Samuel insult that owns the Peoples Gas Com
pany the Commonwealth Edison Company, the ele-
waited railways and part Of the surface lines in Chi
cago to say nothing of other public utilities
throughout the State spent money to nominate
Frank L. Smith merely because they thought he was
a good fellow and would represent all of the people
of Illinois?
If they don't invest vast sums in senatorial
nations and elections in the interest of good govern
ment, why do they do it?
What do they want? What do they expect?
They expect substantial dividends on their tolit-
ical investments-in Pennsylvania, Illinois and every
where else, where they invest their money in gov
eminent.
Right now Mayor Dever of Chicago is trying to
get the traction owners to meet with the city adj
ministraton to try to agree a street rail-
way franchise The traction owners stalng.
There is published letter sent out by the protective
committee of the Chicago Railways Company, which
says:
Unfortunately the city has authority at this
time to grant a street railway franchise for more
than twenty years Legislation enabling the
pany to operating rights without definite
time limitations, and with reasonable return on
the acknowledged value of the property must be
secured from the Legislature before ordinance can
be agreed on which will restore the company's credit
so that money can be obtained for improved trans
portation service"
There's one reason why the vast power inter-
ests invest money in the government. They want
legislation that will enable them to get them per-
petual franchises.
And nationally they want to secure control of
the white coal, the water power at Muscle Shoals
and elsewhere all over the United States.
This is the information the Jim Reed committee
should bring out. Not how much money, but why?