The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-06
WILLIAMS
QUITS ROAD
Job FIGHT
0usted Highway Director
Gives Up Battle; viii
Drop Contest.
REPLIES TO CHARGES
Attacks Commissioners and
Successor in Statement
to Public.
REPLIES TO CHARGES

John D. Williams today withdrew
from the fight to retain dictatorship
of the state highway department.
Early this morning he vent to the
Office of his successor. John J.
Brown, Rockport, in the statehouse
annex, removed what remained OF
his personal effects and turned over
the keys to his desk.
Meanwhile, a lengthy statement
to the public, signed by Williams,
was released to newspapers by his
attorney, James Bingham.
Defends Actions
It defends his actions III regard
to the department and his custer,
cites dangers in the present admin
istration. asserts that to retain the
dictatorship under such conditions
would not be desired and declares
that there will be no court action
unless an effort is made to dis
credit" his administration.
Counter charges, some of which
we're contained in Williams answer
to specific custer charges, are con-
tanned in today'S statement.
1t is pointed out that the paving
of Road 66 with cement, which
caused a controversy between Viii
liams and Albert J. Wedeking. COM
mission chairman, means the paw
ing of a road passing Browns farms
and those of his friends, ending in
Rockport, where no bridge will be
erected before the Evansville Struc-
ture is completed.
Williams had objected to the
move on the grounds that the bridge
should be installed first.
Attacks Murden
The General Tire Company's one
time association with Commissioner
Jess L. Murden Rep) Peru, is
again cited and the Williams state
ment asserts that he found the
minutes of the March ID commits
sion meeting, when two carloads OF
General tires we're purchased, be-
ing changed to show Mufden had
left before the purchase was made.
He asserts Murden was present.
Former counter charges of an al
leged secret contract" with the
company. which Williams contends
gives them an unfair advantage, are
cited.
Murden was charged with being
a company representative before
becoming commissioner.
That Governor Harry G. Leslie's
"orded" the commission to fire him
and install Brown is again-charged
and Williams asserts that this
makes the matter entirely political
and thwarts the effect and purpose
of the state highway law.
Hints Cement Lobby
Director Browns friendship with
John G.. Brown, Monon. head of the
Indiana Good Roads Association. is
cited, and Williams points out that
this organization is financed by the
Portland Cement Association and
that there is adnger in such friend
ships.
He. declares that during his ad-
he insisted on other
surfaces as we'll as cement and drew
disfayor of the cement crowd. He
points out that experience is proving
that other surfaces, less expensive,
are performing as we'll or better,
but declares that this may be due
to faulty construction"
Answers Witnesses
He answers each witness at the
commission hearing on ineffciency
charges in his statement today, ad-
mits getting mad at times, but
takes exception to the appellation
of "czar'
He points out that it was teSti-
fed that delay in getting his report
out did not hold up the year book,
one of the charges brought against
him.
He cites Investigations Of padded
pay rolls as his reason for discharg-
ing certain road superintendent,
and points out that no witness tes-
titled that he had suggested raising
$4,000 for a road near Dana.
Commissioners have refused to
answer any counter charges, de-
claring that they are not on trial.