The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-06
NO ONE BACK
OF THRONE,'
Leslie WARNS
Governor Tells Statehouse
Employees He Has No
Spokesman.
RAPS FULLER, MORGAN
Address Regarded as Blow
at Unofficial LiaiSon
Workers in State.
RAPs FULLER, MORGAN

Formal disavoval of any person
claiming to be his spokesman, at
tempting to dictate state appoint
1nents through their known friend
ship with him, was made today by
Governor Harry G. Leslie in a for
NAL statement to all department
heads.
The Governor also declared he
would make any recommendations
that ne desired, and reiterated lack
of political ambition, declaring he
is not building a political organiza-
ton.
Leslie's reputation of any spokes-
man was construed by state officials
as blow at Bert Fuller and Bert
Morgan, who managed his guber-
Material campaign in 1928. The two
are said to have assumed the po-
sition of unofficial liaison workers
between the Governor and state de-
partments.
Conference Is Called
Notification of conference in the
Governors Office was telephoned
each department head this morn
ing following length conference
between Leslie and his political
mentor and adviser, Henry Marshall,
Lafayette publisher.
Marshall is believed to have told
the Governor of f1agrant attempts
at domination of appointments by
the "two Berts."
Without any preparatory utter
ance. the Governor said:
Il want no outsiders messing IN
appointments and I don't want to
be seen in a position OF debating
TO any department.
IT am not going to stand in the
role of running any departments.
Il 1 recommend a man for posi-
ton, it is only for trial, and If he
doesn't make good the department
head may let him go without fear
of me.
Don't listen to any threats that
this or that are my wishes. What
We want is efficiency.
No Political Ambitions
'I am not building any political
organization and I have no political
ambitions" Leslie said heatedly.
L don't want the departments in
terferred with. And you are not TO
heed anyone coming to you saying
I want this or that man appointed.
II won't o. K any appointment
unless you have reason to believe
in the efficiency of the appointee.
"I have heard certain persons
saying the Governor favors the ap-
pointment of this man or that man
or the Governor wants this man or
that man appointed.
u shall make my own reconmen-
dations to department heads.
The best politics is the best gov
ernment. I pride myself on my ap-
pointments. that they are not alto
gether political, but for efficiency"
Leslie also asked departments to
settle their differences with one an
other and not through the news
papers.
Commissions Reproyed
This was seen as reproof of the
quarrel between the public service
commission and the highway COM
mission over the crossing of an
electric railroad in southen Indian
in which both departments have
been having contentious.
Leslie ended his statement with
the declaration he was not address
ing his remarks to any particular
department or in regard to any par
ticular person.
7 have, however, heard that al
legged Spokesmen for me are inter
fering with appointments
John j. Brown, highway director,
Immediately praised the Governors
stand as leading to highest efficiency.
He was joined in this by Luther
Symons, state banking commits
.sioner, Richard Lieber, director OF
the department of conservation, and
Mrs. Grace B. UrbahnSs treasurer Of
state.
Those who have particularly re-
sented the alleged influence Of
Fuller and Morgan gathered in the
hall later to exchange congratu-
latiOY1s