The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-10-21
RECALL is
UNWELCOME
Hartley is Accused on 3
Counts Switches on
Highway Work

Special to The Courier-RepOrter
Just now the proposed recall Of
Gov. Hartley demands the spot
light upon the crowded and con-
fused political stage. Nor is it
welcome development. The con-
servative and sober-minded, pro
or anti, do not like the recall as
a political weapon; but it is a con-
stitutional instrument, it is being
invoked, and the voters may as
well realize that Washington, for
the first time in its history, has
statewide recall fight on its hands.
The Hartley Recall Associa-
tion," including citizens from var
ious parts of the state, has filed
charges against Mr.. Hartley. The
governor is charged with misfeas-
ance, malfeasance and violation OF
the oath of office; the contribut-
ing "facts" being that he refused
to execute laws, such as appro-
priations for educational institu-
tions, that he removed regents and
trustees to prevent execution OF
the laws, that he corrupted" or
controlled legislators by having
them placed on administrative
jobs. Grant Hinkle, secretary of
state, with the advise of the at
torney generals department, has
ruled the charges to be "suffi-
cient." Ut should be noted that
the secretary of the state or at
torney general do not pass upon
the merit or truth Of the charges
that is for the people to judge.)
Now the petitions, which must
carry the signatures of 97,576 Ger
titled legal voters, are authorized
for circulation.
Mr.. Hartley may now take a
hand. He can appeal to the courts
and challenge the sufficiency of
the charges. But it is possible that
he will take no such step at this
time, waiting to take such action
later. In the meanwhile, the recall
fight is on.
In Mr.. Hartley changing his at
titude toward the highway pro-
gram? This question is being ask
ed by Treasurer Potts, Auditor
Clausen, Sen. Carlyon and other
good roads people as the result of
a speech the governor. made few
days ago in Falls City. Mr.. Hart
ley startled nearly everybody by
these words: 81 will tell you what
to do, you people who need roads
get your requests in early to
the highway committee. Road
building is important. The people
are interested in it. Every sec
ton of the state needs roads,"
This is being contrasted with his
demand before the legislature,
when he said: "The time has come
to apply the brakes to highway
expenditures"
Consequently, there is surprise
and bewilderment. 1t was expected
that Mr.. Hartley would seek to
curtail the road budget for the
coming year, which will total more
than $20,0OO,OOO, exclusive of fed
eral aid. Mr.. Potts and Mr.. Clau-
sen, members of the state highway
board, were preparing to override
Mr.. Hartley. Many legislators
were getting ready to resist any
attempt by the governor to cut the
road program.
But there will be highway fight
even if Mr.. Hartley decides to
stand for the prevailing highway
program. The fight will be for con-
troll of the road bill, because the
faction that controls the road bill
will control the Legislature. There
fore, Mr.. Hartley's Falls City
speech raised the suspicion that
he is out to take charge of the
road budget. And, it is obvious,
the anti-Hartley group intends to
handle the road program. 1t is a
mighty powerful club.